Hatfield is a civil parish and town in Hertfordshire. It’s part
of the borough of Welwyn Hatfield and has a population of more than 29,000. The
town is 20 miles from London and is home to the University of Hertfordshire. It
is twinned with the Dutch town, Zierikzee and is part of the Welwyn Hatfield
Constituency. The town has an oceanic climate, characterised by cool summers and
moderate winters.
Hatfield’s origins can be traced back to the Saxon period. The
town originally went by the name, Hetfelle, and was later changed to
Haethfield, under King Edgar’s rule. In 1226, King Henry VIII gave instruction
for the town to host a four day fair and weekly market, and, with that, the
town was renamed Bishop’s Hatfield.
Hatfield is home to Hatfield House: a historic country home,
currently home to Robert Gascoyne- Cecil - 7th Marqueess of
Salisbury. During Tudor times, Queen Elizabeth was confined there and spent
three years occupying the home. The house has since been transformed into a
historic landmark.
During the early 20th century, Hatfield became a
site for aerospace engineering. In 1930, a major aircraft factory opened in the
Hatfield, and, by 1949, was the biggest employer in the town.
Right now, Hatfield is both a sightseeing spot and commuter
hub. Popular attractions include the Mill Green Museum, Stanborough Park,
Hatfield Park Farm, Heartwood Forest and the de Havilland Aircraft Museum. For
shopping, head to the Galleria Outlet, and, for nightlife, play a visit to the
Woodman pub. Other places worth visiting are the Barn Theatre and St Alban’s
Clock tower - located just 5 miles from the town.
Hatfield can be reached via the A1 road which runs
underneath the town and connects to the M25. Hatfield railway station lies on
the East Coast Railway line and offers regular connects to both London and
York. The station also forms part of the London underground via the Victoria
line. The closest airport to Hatfield is London Airport, at just 14 miles away.
SilverDoor provides a number of serviced apartments in
Hatfield that are perfect for business travel.
