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Hatfield House Events 2012

Hatfield House Events 2012
Address: Hatfield House
Hatfield
Hertfordshire
Postcode: AL9 5NQ
Telephone: 01707 287010
Website: Please Click Here
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Description

Hatfield House – the home of the 7th Marquess of Salisbury.

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Hatfield House in Hertfordshire, just 21 miles north of London, is a fine Jacobean House and Garden in a spectacular countryside setting.
 
Built by Robert Cecil, Ist Earl of Salisbury and Chief Minister to King James I from 1607 to 1611. There is a marvellous collection of pictures, furnishings and historic armour on display The Estate has been in the Cecil family for 400 years, one of England’s foremost political families.

Events

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Events take place in Hatfield Park throughout the year. They are usually held in Stable Yard, Palace Green, Elephant Dell or on the Queen Elizabeth Oak Field. There is usually a separate charge for entry to Hatfield House. Please note that during Major events (Living Crafts/Rose Weekend/Country Show/Art in Clay) Park only tickets are not available.

UPDATE: Due to extra events being held this season, our 400th anniversary year, our Summer Garden Show and Drive In Movies will return in 2012.events.
 
Full Details of Forthcoming 2012 Events shown below can be found by visiting our website - CLICK HERE

Hospitality & Banqueting

Welcome to Hatfield House Hospitality. We offer the very best in entertaining, whether it be an exclusive formal dinner in the Marble Hall, a wedding reception in the Old Palace, or a conference in the Riding School.

Hatfield House Hospitality, provided by Leith’s, constantly aims to achieve and exceed all your expectations, whatever the size or style of the occasion. Our team of experienced staff are available to help and advise you on all aspects of your event. Our executive chef will be happy to plan a menu to suit you and your special occasion. Suggested menus can be downloaded below.

We look forward to welcoming you and your guests to Hatfield.
 
Corporate Meetings & Events

New customers - if you haven't held a conference or event with us before and would like to try our corporate services, please quote CORP10 when booking to claim an introductory offer of 15% off your room hire fee

Call for details 01707 262055. (Valid until 31st May 2010 and offer applies to new bookings only.) For further information or floor plans, please contact the Hatfield House Hospitality Team on  01707 287080 or hospitality@hatfield-house.co.uk  
 
Where Elizabethan history began
The Royal Palace of Hatfield (c 1485) in the West Garden is where Elizabeth I spent most of her childhood. In the Park, an oak tree marks the place where the young Princess Elizabeth first heard of her accession to the throne.

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The Garden at Hatfield House dates from the early 17th century when Robert Cecil employed John Tradescant the Elder to collect plants for his new home. The West garden includes a scented garden, herb garden and knot garden.
 
The House, Park and Garden is open from Wednesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays until 30th September 2010.  The House opens from 12.00 - 5 pm, last admission 4pm. The Garden and Park open from 11 - 5.30 pm.
 
Please note that this year, the House, Park and Gardens  closed on Mondays or Tuesday,except BH Mondays. In August however, the Garden and Park will be open daily.
 
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Hatfield House was completed in 1611. It was built by Robert Cecil, first Earl of Salisbury and son of Lord Burghley, the chief minister of Elizabeth I. The deer park surrounding the house and the older building of the Old Palace had been owned by Elizabeth’s father, Henry VIII, who had used it as a home for his children, Edward, Elizabeth and Mary. It was while she was living in the  Old Palace, in 1558, that Elizabeth learned of her accession to the throne.
 
The Cecils’ former home was at Theobalds, also in Hertfordshire. In 1607, Elizabeth’s heir, James I offered to exchange Theobalds for the Old Palace and manor of Hatfield. A draft Parliamentary Act of exchange survives in the Cecil Papers at Hatfield, dated May 1607. Salisbury began building work immediately. The main architect of the house was Robert Lemynge but Simon Basil, the Surveyor of the King’s Works and Inigo Jones also contributed to the design.
 
Salisbury had been appointed Lord Treasurer in April 1607 as well as Chief Secretary, but, he became ill and died, aged only 48, in April 1612. Although he was buried in Hatfield, he didn’t live to enjoy the house that was to become the home of his descendants for the next 400 years.


House, Garden & Park

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In 1611, Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury built his fine Jacobean House 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 in the House are many historic mementos collected over the centuries by the Cecils, one of England’s foremost political families.
 
The Garden

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The garden at Hatfield House dates from the early 17th century when Robert Cecil, Ist Earl of Salisbury, employed John Tradescant the Elder to collect plants for his new home. Tradescant was sent to Europe where he found and brought back trees, bulbs, plants and fruit trees, which had never previously been grown in England. This beautifully designed garden included orchards, elaborate fountains, scented plants, water parterres, terraces and herb gardens.      

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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.  The East Garden was laid out by the 5th Marquess of Salisbury. The present Dowager Lady Salisbury dedicated 30 years to the restoration and improvement of the garden. However, gardens evolve and there are many new features and some delightful planting to enjoy. 
 
In the garden can be found the Great Hall, the surviving wing of the Royal Palace of Hatfield (1485) where Elizabeth I spent some of her childhood. This building is now known as the Old Palace and is used extensively for entertaining.
 
Today, the garden to the West of the house, which includes the Herb, Knot and Wilderness areas, can be seen when the house is open. However, all 42 acres, including the Kitchen Garden and the formal parterres to the East of the house leading down to the lake, are open especially for garden enthusiasts on Thursdays during the Visitor Season.
 

The Park

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In the Park, an oak tree marks the place where the young Princess Elizabeth first heard of her accession to the throne.  Visitors can enjoy extensive walks in the 1000 acres of park with woodland trails and a wonderful spring bluebell display - CLICK HERE for full details.
 
There is a play area for younger visitors with plenty of grassy space for running around. Picnic tables are provided under the trees to while away a pleasant afternoon.
 
Opening Times
Hatfield House reopens for the 2011 Visitor Season on 23 April through to 30 September. The House is open Wednesday – Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays throughout the season. A selection of shops are open from March. Restaurant will reopen on 23 April 2011. See the events section for details of winter events.

House 12pm – 5pm last admission 4pm

East Garden 11am – 5.30pm last admission 5pm

Park 11am – 6pm

Stable Yard shops 11am – 5.30pm

Restaurant 10am – 5:30pm

Moore Exhibition / West Garden 10am – 5pm last admission 4.30pm

Hatfield Park Farm & Bloody Hollow 10am – 5.30pm last admission 5pm

Audio guides are available to enhance your visit and pre-arranged group/guided tours are also available.
Please ensure you pre-book for your group visit

House entry supplement for those with Park tickets is £6 and £3.50 for children. This additional charge to visit the House is also applicable during major events.



PLEASE NOTE: HHA (Historic Houses Association), Great British Heritage, RHS cards are no longer valid. RHS members will receive £2 off entry to the Henry Moore exhibition in the West Garden.

Contact

Visitor Information
The House Office
Hatfield House
Hatfield
Hertfordshire
AL9 5NQ


Tel: 01707 287010
Fax: 01707 287033
 
Contacts:

General enquiries, which will be forwarded to the correct destination, should be sent on our contact form, alternatively, you can contact any of the individuals listed below.

Education/Group Visits Sue Jessup
Tel: 01707 287042
 
Events & Exhibitions Elaine Gunn
Tel: 01707 287058
(for general event information
or tickets please call the House
Office on 01707287010)

Marketing & Media Julie Loughlin
Tel: 01707 287093

Hospitality & Banqueting hospitality@hatfield-house.co.uk
Tel: 01707 262055
 
Film & TV Locations Julie Loughlin
Tel: 01707 287093

Commercial & Residential Property Madeleine Clark
Tel: 01707 287021

Adam Gamsu
Tel: 01707 287067 


 
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