Saturday 19th May
Price Adults £32.50, Child £22
 
www.hatfield-house.co.uk
Hatfield House is the home of the 7th Marquess and
Marchioness of Salisbury and their family. The Estate has been in the Cecil
family for 400 years. In 1611, Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury built his
Jacobean House, one of the finest in England, adjoining the site of the Old
Palace of Hatfield. The House was splendidly decorated for entertaining the
Royal Court, with State Rooms rich in paintings, fine furniture and
tapestries.
Superb examples of Jacobean craftsmanship can be seen
throughout Hatfield House such as the Grand Staircase with its fine carving
and the rare stained glass window in the private chapel. Displayed
throughout the House are many historic mementoes collected over the
centuries by the Cecils, one of England’s foremost political families.
You can tour the house at your leisure and the guides in the
rooms will be happy to talk to you. Alternatively you can take the
personal audio tour (£3 - not included) to be your guide.
There is so much to see and admire - the sumptuous State Rooms, Victorian
Kitchen, the Marble Hall, King James Drawing Room, Long Gallery, Grand
Staircase, Library and Chapel.
Outside of the house there is still plenty to see and
appreciate. You can enjoy the sundial garden and fountains, and view
the famous knot garden adjoining the Tudor Old Palace where Elizabeth I
spent much of her childhood. Following the fashion for landscape gardening
and some neglect in the 18th century, restoration of the garden started in
earnest in Victorian times. Lady Gwendolen Cecil, younger daughter of Prime
Minister Salisbury, designed the
West Garden as it is today. Visit also the Park, St Ethelreda's Church and
the Tudor Old
Palace, and lastly enjoy the specialist shops who trade year round in the
Stable Yard.
Leaving from 8am we arrive at St Albans mid-morning for you
to enjoy a little time exploring
this small market town. At 12.45pm we travel on to Hatfield House,
where you will have the afternoon free to explore at your leisure.
Departing Hatfield House at 5pm, we return to the local area around 7.30pm.
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