Hatfield House

Hatfield House is one of England's finest Jacobean houses, built in 1611 by Robert Cecil and still home to the Cecil family. Beside it stands the red-brick Old Palace where the young Princess Elizabeth spent much of her childhood and, legend has it, learned she had become queen. Beyond the grand state rooms lie formal gardens, woodland walks across the vast park, a farm and play area and a stable-yard of shops and places to eat, making for a full day out. Seasonal events run through the year.