Highlights
- The Old Palace Knot Garden, laid out in Tudor style with aromatic herbs
- The Lady Gwendolen Garden, a parterre of roses, clematis and clipped yew in the West Garden
- The Sundial Garden and Holly Walk, leading into the Woodland Garden and Yew House
- The East Garden, with parterres, topiary, rare plants and the 17th-century New Pond (Wednesdays only)
About Hatfield House Gardens
The gardens at Hatfield go back to the early 17th century, when Robert Cecil employed John Tradescant the Elder to collect plants from across Europe for the estate. Beside the house stands the Old Palace, where Elizabeth I held her first council as Queen.
Today the gardens are a series of formal and informal spaces reflecting more than 400 years of design. Members of the Cecil family have reshaped them over time, from Lady Gwendolen Cecil's parterre to the knot garden designed by the Dowager Marchioness of Salisbury.
What to see
- West Garden: centred on the Old Palace, with the Lady Gwendolen Garden of roses, clematis and sculpted yew, then the Sundial Garden and Holly Walk.
- Old Palace Knot Garden: a geometric Tudor-style design edged with clipped hedges and planted with herbs and seasonal colour.
- Woodland Garden: winding paths, mature trees, glades and the Yew House, leading out to the parkland.
- East Garden: on the private side of the house, with parterres, topiary, rare plants and the 17th-century New Pond. It opens on Wednesdays only, and the maze can be seen from the croquet lawn but not entered.
Planning your visit
Hatfield House is in Old Hatfield, Hertfordshire. Enter by car through George's Gate to the main visitor car park, where parking is free; secure bike parking is available there, but bikes and scooters are not allowed in the park.
The gardens open seasonally, Wednesday to Sunday and on bank holidays, and are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. They have now closed for the 2026 season, although the park and woodland walks stay open on some autumn weekends. The Stable Yard has free entry, shops and the Coach House Kitchen café and restaurant. Dogs and picnics are not allowed in the gardens, and the Old Palace is open by tour only.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit Hatfield House Gardens?
A Gardens, Park and Woodland Walks ticket is £17 for adults and £8.50 for children aged 3 to 15, with a family ticket at £42. Adding the house costs £27 for adults. Carers are admitted free.
Can I bring my dog to Hatfield House?
Dogs are allowed in the park, but only assistance dogs can go into the gardens. Picnics are not allowed in the gardens either.
Is parking free at Hatfield House?
Yes. Visitors arriving by car should use George's Gate to reach the main car park (AL9 5HX), where parking is free.