28 Oct 11 The Top Ten Things to do in Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a great place to visit, whether you want to take the whole family to a wildlife park or your loved one to the cinema. There are endless things to do in Hertfordshire that are perfect for all kinds of occasions and there are also plenty of places to stay making it easy to enjoy a few days in the region.
Here are some of the top things to do in Herts:
1. Knebworth House
This historical house is one of the region’s most visited tourist attractions with its landscaped gardens and fun trails that are great for exploring. It is one of the country’s most beloved stately homes and is certainly one of the top things to do in Herts.
2. Paradise Wildlife Park
This wildlife park is home to an array of exotic animals including zebra, lions, tigers and monkeys. You can get up close and personal with many of the residents here and some animals can even be fed by visitors.
3. St Albans Cathedral
One of the best things to do in Hertfordshire is, without a doubt, taking a tour around the cathedral located in the pretty town of St Albans. It lays claim to being the oldest site of Christian worship in the country and is visited by many people every year who come to be amazed by its grand architecture.
4. Explore the River Lea
The natural waterways of the River Lea are a wonderful way to spend a summer’s afternoon. There are endless paths that run along the banks of the canal and everything from ducks and geese to boats can be seen along the way.
5. The XC
This Hertfordshire attraction boasts climbing frames, huge boulders, a skatepark, high ropes and an elaborate indoor caving system perfect for kids of all ages to explore. If you want to find things to do in Herts with your children, then the XC is ideal!
6. The Grove Golf Course
If you want to practise your swing while in Hertfordshire, then look no further than The Grove Golf Course. Celebrities such as Tiger Woods have played at this golf course, while the hotel here is also well known for hosting the England football squad when they play their home games at Wembley.
7. Hatfield House
If you enjoy wandering around stately homes and discovering their wonderfully landscaped gardens, Hatfield House is well worth checking out. Many concerts are held here throughout the year and there are also many exhibitions such as the Henry Moore display that prove popular with visitors.
8. Hitchin Lavender
Hitchin Lavender is a family run farm where visitors can buy a range of fresh flowers and vegetables as well as enjoy a walk or a tasty lunch. The homemade cakes and scones are enough of a reason to put this attraction on your list of things to do in Herts!
9. Natural History Museum at Tring
This is considered as being one of the best small museums in the UK and its displays are fascinating to all who visit. Its collection of stuffed animals offers an interesting insight into how the Victorians used to live.
10. Leisure World
Leisure World is home to a range of restaurants and entertainment venues including family favourites Burger King and Pizza Hut as well as a swimming pool that offers fun flumes, wave pools and slides. If you don’t fancy getting wet, you can try your hand at bowling instead.
If you’re looking for things to do in Hertfordshire, you might find yourself surprised at the amount of choices that lay in wait for you!
No matter what your tastes, you will be able to find things to do in Hertfordshire that appeal to you. For information on interesting things to do in Herts, visit the Hertfordshire Merc
Tags: Hertfordshire Mercury, things to do in Hertfordshire, things to do in Herts
27 Oct 11 The History of Hertford RFC
Hertford RFC was founded in 1932 and originally went by the name Old Hertfordians RFC. The popular rugby team is the largest in the area and has successfully made its way up the leagues throughout the years. The team’s kit is blue, black and gold and they now play their home games at the Highfields stadium on Hoe Road. The Director of Rugby is Nick Lloyd and the current coaches are Michael Owen, Paul Allen and Brett MacNamee.
Hertford Rugby Club – The Early Days
The original club had just 15 players and they only played four games per season! Until 1949, Hertford RFC was moved to and from six different grounds including school facilities, The Reindeer Pub, Hartham Common, Rye House and Ware Road. After the war in 1946, Hertford Rugby Club moved to the recreation ground in Station Road but a public right of way went across the pitch and every Saturday at the same time an old lady would wander across the pitch completely oblivious as to what was going on around her. While the referee ensured that half time always coincided with her visit, she still seemed to be completely unaware became a part of the history of Hertford RFC!
The existing clubhouse was erected in 1966 and by 1972, the club became known officially as Hertford RFC.
Recent Times at Hertford RFC
Hertford Rugby Club is famous in the region for a high level of professionalism, thanks to a strict managerial command of the club. Comprehensive facilities are provided by Hertford RFC to senior and junior players and it is by far the largest and most renowned club in the area. In the 2001-2002 season, Hertford RFC were promoted to play amateur rugby in London League 1 and the following season the team impressively finished in third place and also won the Powergen Intermediate Cup at the famous rugby ground in Twickenham. By the 2004-2005 season, Hertford RFC were promoted to National League 3 after successfully beating Cinderford in the playoffs.
The existing Director of Rugby handles seven senior sides including the first team squad. They play open and entertaining rugby that is actively promoted by the knowledgeable coaching team at Hertford RFC. The club is also proud of its local players with 30 players from Hertford representing Hertfordshire over the years taking between them almost 250 caps. The current team welcomes new players at all levels into their team and training starts for the new season in July every year.
Hertford RFC plays their games in the National 2 South League and they are hovering around the mid-table point. The clubhouse can be hired out for functions (both corporate or leisure) and many locals are proud to support their rugby team and are regular spectators at home and away games. They play by the RFU Fair Play Codes and many local companies and businesses sponsor the popular team. All sponsors get to enjoy the benefits of a perimeter board on first team games, display adverts in the annual fixtures card of which 2,000 are printed, a fixtures poster advert and display adverts in home match day programmes.
Hertford RFC is undoubtedly one of the most popular sporting teams in the region and the club continues to grow in the hope of gaining more notoriety and working its way up through the leagues.
As one of the most popular sports teams in the region, Hertford Rugby Club has many fans. To stay up to date on the latest Hertford RFC, visit the Hertfordshire Mercury.
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27 Sep 11 The Best Hertfordshire Days Out
School holidays have drawn to a close but the long cold winter is still some way off, so there’s plenty of time for days out Hertfordshire style. As one of the Home Counties, Hertfordshire is well placed for many UK attractions but you don’t have to leave the county to visit some of them. While there’s still warmth in the air, why not get on the water?
Water Sports
The River Lee Country Park is home to several water-based activity centres such as the Herts Young Mariners Base in Cheshunt. The base caters for adults, school parties and children and offers courses in sailing, canoeing, climbing, caving and even first aid. The Centre is licensed and has been operating in one form or another for many years so you should be in safe hands. Another water-based alternative is Lee Valley Boat Centre at Broxbourne where you can hire a variety of craft for a day on the water. If you want to get wet without getting cold, the county also has a good choice of swimming pools such as Aquasplash in Hemel Hempstead.
Hertfordshire Museums
Hertfordshire days out don’t have to involve water though, and you can avoid the rain by visiting one of the many interesting museums scattered around this historic county. Tring Museum has a fascinating natural history collection while many other local museums such as Hertford, Hitchin, Letchworth and Stevenage (to mention a few) display artefacts and exhibits that open up the county’s past for both young and old. The De Havilland Aircraft Heritage Centre in London Colney is a great place to see the famous Mosquito of World War II fame as well as other interesting aircraft such as the Vampire, a very early example of a jet plane. The museum also contains the historic Salisbury Hall.
Paintball Excitement
Of course, sometimes kids and adults need to let their hair down for the best Hertfordshire days out and where better than a paintball centre? There are several paintball centres in the county including Delta Force at Kings Langley, part of a large experienced chain specialising in this activity. Kid’s sessions are grouped according to age and they are closely supervised and well protected with armour, safety being the first priority. Although parents don’t stay with kids during sessions, those with under 14s are asked to remain on site for the period as an extra precaution. Video games are all very well for acting out aggressive instincts but there’s no substitute for the physical excitement and healthy competition experienced in a paintball contest. Plus it easily beats staying at home and doing the decorating instead!
Wildlife Parks
Looking at animals is always popular with children, and provides a more relaxed activity than paintballing. Paradise Wildlife Park in Broxbourne has a major collection of animals including tigers and even some rare white lions, which hopefully haven’t been playing paintball. For the really brave visitor, you can actually feed these big cats by hand, a definite case of “after you”. However, if you don’t fancy losing a finger or two, you can always opt to feed the much smaller meerkats by hand instead. Shrepeth Wildlife Park near Royston is another place to get up close to animals which include big cats, lemurs, wolves, monkeys, prairie dogs, raccoons, coatis and various reptiles. Here, you have the much safer option of feeding ponies, ducks, geese and fish in the lake.
The best Hertfordshire days out might be surprising; although most kids have limited patience with visiting the county’s art galleries, they might be impressed by a visit to the Henry Moore Foundation at Perry Green. Here, they will discover many of Moore’s monumental abstract sculptures displayed in an open country landscape. Even the coolest kid will be struck by the sheer power of his massive creations, but be prepared for awkward questions about what it all means.
There are so many options when it comes to days out Hertfordshire, that there is sure to be something for everyone! Visit the Hertfordshire Mercury to help plan you Hertfordshire days out.
Tags: days out Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire day out, Hertfordshire Mercury
21 Sep 11 Exploring Hertford and the Surrounding Area
Hertford is a very popular place in which to live (just check out those property prices!), being only some 20 miles north of London and with two rail links into the city (Hertford North into King’s Cross and Hertford into Liverpool Street). As the county town, there is also plenty of varied work locally and the busy road links stretch out in all directions. However, it is not all work for the good folk of Hertford, as this is also a great place from which to spend that all important leisure time. So, what is there to do in and around Hertford other than earn a crust?
Hertford’s Rivers and Waterways
The Rivers Lea (or Lee), Mimram, Rib and Bean all converge on Hertford, hence the ford in its name. The Lee Navigation (canal) reaches the town and the New River begins its long man-made journey to North London from just outside Ware, delivering fresh water for a thirsty city. All this sparkling water provides a range of leisure activities, from bird watching on the marshland leading to Ware, fishing, boating on the canal, and walking plus cycling on the towpaths. The more adventurous and energetic walker might want to tackle all or some of the long distance New River Path towards London, some 28 miles in length and following the river as closely as possible. The great thing about this riverside walk is that it is mostly flat or slightly downhill all the way to Islington, as it flows without any artificial pumping.
Walks in and around Hertford
As well as the riverside walks, there are many opportunities for walkers as this is a protected Green Belt area, where urban sprawl has been relatively controlled. Hertford town centre itself is well worth a walk round, especially on a quieter Sunday, as it is a conservation area with a wealth of 6000 listed and attractive buildings to admire (check out Shire Hall, for instance). The Cole Green Way on the edge of town follows a disused rail line to Welwyn Garden City and can be used by horse riders and cyclists as well, again with the advantage of gentle gradients. Then there is the extensive network of excellent signposted footpaths radiating out in all directions, making this a mecca for walking enthusiasts.
Other Things to do in the Area
For the less energetic, there are various places to visit in surrounding Hertfordshire without involving a long walk. In town there’s Hertford Castle, which can be visited on a tour by prior arrangement. The newly refurbished Hertford Museum is also worth a visit, as you can find out more about this historic town’s past. Just outside town in Ware is Scott’s Grotto, a man made cave open on Saturdays and Bank Holidays, and the Forge Museum and Victorian Cottage Gardens is open in Much Hadham.
Further away is Hatfield House, Lord Salisbury’s ancestral home, which holds various events throughout the year, and Berkhamsted Castle is another popular destination. Knebworth House attracts many visitors, especially to its rock music festivals, and also has other more sedate events like meetings of the Morris Minor Club. Lovers of George Bernard Shaw’s work will enjoy visiting his home at Shaw’s Corner while followers of contemporary work shouldn’t miss visiting the Henry Moore collection of sculptures at Perry Green, where you can gain a unique insight into the life and work of this 20th century sculptor.
Perhaps you would like to pick some lavender at Hitchin Lavender Farm or admire the lovely gardens at Benington Lordship? Or take a day trip from Hertford to visit Roman Verulamium (St Albans as it’s now called), complete with cathedral and 100 acres of beautiful parkland? Music lovers might want to attend the Hertford Music Festival held in the summer in the grounds of Hertford Castle; the choice is yours!
There is no shortage of things to do on a day out in Hertfordshire. For information about the latest activities in Hertford and the surrounding area, visit the Hertfordshire Mercury.
29 Jul 11 Summer Fun in Hertfordshire
At long last, the lazy days of the English summer have arrived after a particularly cold and icy winter and all that’s left to think about is what’s on in Hertfordshire! You don’t have to stay at home in the garden for fun in the sun because it’s easy to find out what to do in Hertfordshire. Although London is not far away, there really is no need to head for the capital city for entertainment along with all its problems of traffic and crowds, especially if you usually commute there for work. Instead, take a look at the following choice of some local things going on this summer to see if anything takes your fancy, as there really is something here for everyone.
Festivals and Events
So, what’s on in Hertfordshire when summer finally approaches? Well, like many other English counties, there’s a proper county show, this one being held at Redbourn on the last Bank Holiday in May. There’s all the usual culprits like animal shows (horses, dogs, cattle, sheep etc.), bands, specialty foods, vintage farm machinery and so on, making for a great family day out. Feeling thirsty in the warm weather? Then head out for the St Albans Beer Festival between 28th of September and the 1st of October where you can try up to 500 different beers, ciders and perries (but not all at once!). Best to leave the car at home for this gig!
Various towns and villages throughout the county also have their own festivals or fairs such as Bushey and Benington. If you like going to modern music festivals, then you don’t need to go down to Glastonbury with your wellies as Knebworth House is the current location for the UK leg of the Sonisphere Festival. In nearby Welwyn Garden City, there is also the Herts Jazz Festival from 19th-21st August.
Outdoor Activities
With London’s Green Belt running through the county, you can answer what to do in Hertfordshire by heading for the great outdoors. In the eastern corner, you have Aldenham Country Park with a rare breeds farm, 175 acres of woodland walks and children’s play area. More centrally and on the much grander scale, there is the 10,000 acre Lee Valley Regional Park which has a huge variety of activities on tap.
Open farms, athletics, horse riding, golf, fishing, cycling, bird watching, walking; in this park, the possibilities are simply endless. If you love looking at trees, then Northaw Great Wood is the place to see them, or why not take a picnic with you to Whippendell Woods near Watford. And there’s always simply getting out an Ordnance Survey map and choosing a countryside round walk on the many footpaths and bridleways that criss-cross Hertfordshire.
Water Fun
Warm weather always make waterside activities more inviting and although there are no beaches in Hertfordshire there is still much to do by (and in) the water. Lee Valley Boat Centre in the River Lee Country Park has narrow boats for hire as well as a variety of rowing boats, electric pleasure craft and even some pedalos. Alternatively, Aquasplash at Hemel Hempstead is what to do in Hertfordshire if you want to experience a tropical jungle while whizzing down any one of six different water slides.
You might even get in some proper swimming, but for that, perhaps you’d do better to head for the Hatfield Swim Centre or other swimming pools located in Hitchin, Hartham or Westminster Lodge at St Albans. If you’re lucky and the sun is out, then try a dip at the Priory Lido in Ware or visit Letchworth Outdoor Pool. You can even try riding the indoor wave at North Herts Leisure Centre, though not with a surf board. Then there’s the UK’s most popular participation sport: fishing. The county is blessed with many rivers and lakes, offering both fly and coarse fishing, and you’re really spoilt for choice.
Now that the warmer weather has arrived, you may be wondering what to do in Hertfordshire in the Summer. Visit the Hertfordshire Mercury for the latest on whats on in Hertfordshire .
Tags: Hertfordshire Mercury, what to do in Hertfordshire, whats on in Hertfordshire
07 Jul 11 Hertford: A Landmark Town
Waterways surround the delightfully compact market and county town of Hertford. The Rivers Lee, Rib, Bean and Mimram all meet up here and the man-made New River starts its 20-mile marathon into London at nearby Ware.
Hertford Castle
Heading north from London, Hertford is the first place where a significant river needs to be crossed, which historically made it a strategically significant site and one well worth defending. The Saxons built a defensive earth mound here more than a century before the Norman invasion, and the Normans in turn upgraded the site into a castle with the status of royal fortress and residence – in other words a serious bit of medieval royal real estate.
It was besieged in 1216 during the squabble between King John and his barons, and used as a comfortable prison by Edward III, but mostly it provided rest and recreation in the country for successive monarchs. After time as a private house, it became a college, school and eventually Grade 1 listed council offices. Tours take place in summer.
The Hertford Corn Exchange
Like many county towns in grain-growing areas, Hertford has its very own Corn Exchange where this important commodity and staple food was traded. It is a fine mid-Victorian building constructed on the site of the Old Butchers Market and town jail in Fore Street as late as 1857, and replaced the trading that had taken place behind Shire Hall.
The current 42 pubs in Hertford testify to the importance of beer production here and the Exchange handled the trading in beer ingredients like malt and barley. Eventually, it fell into a long decline until, in modern times, it was turned into an entertainment venue, along with an indoor market.
Shire Hall
The whole of the central area of Hertford is designated as a conservation area, crammed with handsome buildings spanning many periods, and with more than 6,000 listed properties this makes Hertford a landmark town in itself. The distinctive Shire Hall in Market Place with its overhanging clock is Grade 1 listed. Built between 1769 and 1771 and handsomely designed by James Adam (brother of the more famous Robert), it was carefully restored in 1990 with particular attention paid to the Adam interior. Today, the ground floor is used by East Hertfordshire magistrates.
Hertford Museum
It comes as no surprise that such a historic town should have its own museum, situated on Bull Plain. Extensively refurbished by a National Lottery grant in 2007, this is a good place to start your exploration of Hertford with a virtual tour to set the scene, and the museum often has exhibitions to whet your appetite. The museum can also provide you with guided heritage town walks to help you get the most out of your visit and the Tourist Information Office has maps of these walks. Some of the landmark buildings include the 17th century White Hart pub, McMullens brewery building, Friends Meeting House and the Salisbury Arms.
Hatfield House
To the west of Ware lies Hatfield House, an important and historic house worthy of a whole section on itself, and Knebworth House is also nearby, providing an occasional venue for music concerts in attractive parkland. Hatfield House is based on an extensive estate filled with open fields, farmland, animals and lakes.
A short distance east lies the small town of Ware, which provides fresh drinking water to North London via the New River system. The chalk-filtered Chadwell spring is the main source for this water and can be visited on foot, while the river itself makes for a pleasant walk and is an impressive piece of long-distance engineering. Finally, if castles are your preferred thing then Berkhamsted Castle is worth a moderate journey from Hertford.
From culture to history, the town of Hertford has something for all tastes. For the latest information on leisure activities throughout Hertfordshire, visit the Hertfordshire Mercury.
22 Feb 11 Five Interesting Facts about Hertford
Hertford is an attractive county town and is much sought after as a place to live, with direct rail routes to nearby London and motorway links as well as a range of employment opportunities.
Here are some interesting facts about Hertford that you may want to check out:
Water, Water Everywhere
Hertford is literally a place where rivers are forded; the Lee (or Lea), Mimram, Rib and Bean all converging on the town. In addition, the Lee Navigation reaches Hertford while the man-made New River begins its 20-mile journey to London in adjacent Ware, providing drinking water to the city. This has always been an important crossing place, being the first point at which a major river confronts travellers heading north from London. A ready supply of fresh spring water from Hertford’s chalky basin combined with numerous sites for water mills also make this an ideal place for brewing beer, with McMullens being the main brewer today.
Places to Visit
As a strategically important gateway to London, Hertford has its castle. A Grade 1 listed building in landscaped grounds by the River Lea, it is on the site of a Norman castle whose stone walls still contain it. Tours occur in summer or by prior arrangement. On a wet day, there’s the recently refurbished Hertford Museum with a collection of local objects. Scotts Grotto in nearby Ware is a man-made chalk chamber constructed by an 18th century poet open Saturdays plus some Bank Holidays. Out in Hertfordshire at Much Hadham is the Forge Museum and Victorian Cottage Garden with a collection revealing country life of yesteryear.
Entertainment
Given its brewing heritage, Hertford is, not surprisingly, full of pubs (42 at last count!). With today’s population of about 24,000, this is one pub for every 571 people, a wide choice when many pubs elsewhere are closing. Surprisingly, there are no cinemas in the town but in adjacent Hertfordshire towns there’s a good choice, including Hatfield, Stevenage and Welwyn Garden City. For live entertainment, you need go no further than the long-established Corn Exchange. Castle Hall also runs shows, including local acts and children’s entertainers. Night owls will seek out Zeros, the only nightclub in town.
Historic Buildings
As well as Hertford’s Castle, Hertfordshire is famed for its collection of attractive old buildings, over 6,000 of which are listed. The centre of Hertford itself is a conservation area and Shire Hall is one of its finest buildings. With its prominent clock face hanging over the street, this impressive building was the work of James Adam (Robert’s brother) and houses the Magistrates’ Court. Outside town, it’s difficult to choose from the architectural places of interest. Certainly, nearby Hatfield House would make it onto the list of must-visit places for anyone interested in the historic architecture, as would Berkhamsted Castle. Knebworth House is another place worth a visit, and sometimes acts as a venue for music festivals. Finally, there are many wonderfully preserved villages that give a glimpse of the past such as Benington Lordship or Much Hadham.
Famous People
As a Home County, Hertfordshire has been well placed for its children to prosper in public life. Some, like the now-deceased Queen Mother, were born to prominence while others such as Victoria Beckham achieved fame by their own efforts. Graham Greene represented literature while Sir Michael Hordern made it on the stage. Equally, Graham Poll learnt to blow the whistle on the football pitch while Gareth Southgate gained fame by missing that penalty. The fastest local boy though is Formula 1’s Lewis Hamilton, who comes from nearby Stevenage.
The Home Counties are so grouped for their proximity to London but each has its own individual character. Hertford and its surrounding county manage to stand out from the crowd as a great place to live or just to visit.
Hertford is a very pretty town, with much to offer all tastes. For all the latest news on Hertford and other Hertfordshire towns, visit the Hertfordshire Mercury.
22 Feb 11 Things to do in Cheshunt
Travellers spending some time in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, are spoilt for choice when it comes to attractions. The area boasts many historical and cultural points of interest, and family-friendly activities. The following are just a few of the most popular activities to be found in the area:
The Royal Gunpowder Mills
Set in more than 170 acres of gorgeous natural parkland and featuring 20 historically significant buildings, the Royal Gunpowder Mills at Waltham Abbey combines a fascinating history, some thrilling technology and lovely scenery. Established in the 17th century, the Royal Gunpowder Mills holds an important place in the history of Waltham Abbey and the nation at large. The attraction has been described as ““probably the most important site in Europe for the explosives industry”, with good reason. Nitrocellulose was developed here, as was cordite and for the first two years of the Second World War, the Royal Gunpowder Mills was the sole production site of RDX, a component of the bouncing bomb. Now a museum, the Royal Gunpowder Mills can offer special weekend events, activities for children, guided tours, exhibitions, woodland trails, and much more located within a mile of Cheshunt town centre.
Paradise Wildlife Park
Being much more than a zoo, Paradise Wildlife Park offers Hertfordshire visitors the unique opportunity to meet some wonderful exotic animals such as tigers, lions, zebras, and monkeys. The park has recently expanded and now boasts the On Safari Adventure Golf Course, the Angkor Reptile Temple, the Wonders of the Rainforest exhibit, and a children’s craft area. Little ones will love the three themed playgrounds, rides, indoor play areas, and numerous snack carts and restaurants.
Waltham Abbey Gardens
This award-winning site is rich in history and natural beauty. Founded by King Henry II in 1177, the ruins of the original abbey can still be seen, including the ancient gatehouse and passage from the cloisters to the old sleeping quarters. A visit to the gardens is a lovely day trip from Cheshunt or elsewhere in Hertfordshire. Guests are free to wander the grounds, stroll alongside the millstream, explore the orchard, discover the Cornmill Meadows Dragonfly Sanctuary or enjoy a picnic lunch.
The Royal Air Force Museum
Newly-refurbished and located near Cheshunt, the Royal Air Force Museum honours the proud tradition of the Royal Air Force. The museum has interactive exhibits, a free 3D cinema, viewing galleries, children’s area, hands-on scientific experiments, and a flight simulator.
Celtic Harmony Camp
Cheshunt visitors can go back in time with Celtic Harmony Camp’s cast of Iron Age characters. There are traditional hunters, warriors, woodsmen, farmers, and storytellers on hand to offer thrilling demonstrations, historic re-enactments, interactive experiences, and activities for all ages. Set in a gorgeous wood, the Celtic Harmony Camp also offers great food and special events in an authentic Iron Age village. Whether you would like to take on the challenge of a woodland survival course with your family or just a more relaxing stroll through the woods, there is sure to be something to please all tastes.
Cheshunt is a great starting point during any trip to Hertfordshire. For more information on these and other Hertfordshire attractions, be sure to visit the Hertfordshire Mercury.
09 Feb 11 What to do in all Weathers in Hertfordshire
Cheshunt and Hertford are two of the most prominent towns in Hertfordshire and the weather in this area of the UK very much determines the activities available to visitors! As with everyone in the UK, the weather is always a common focal point for many conversations in Hertfordshire and there are plenty of things to do on the warm summers as well as the depths of the chilly winters!
Cheshunt and Hertford in the Summer
The summer in this part of the UK is at its warmest from May through to August and visitors can make use of a wide range of activities on offer whatever the weather! The summer sun can be tricky to predict but these are usually the most pleasant months and due to the area’s location close to London, many people will choose to make use of the public transport links and make their way to the capital to see the famous sights. Big Ben, the London Bridge, Tower Bridge, Westminster Bridge, Regents Park, London Zoo and places such as Trafalgar Square and Hyde Park are all great for exploring in the sun.
Cheshunt itself is home to a smaller range of attractions ideal for visiting in the summer and the local churches are always a great place to start. The buildings are beautiful and the stone work is very old giving the town a historically rich atmosphere. Capel Manor Gardens are found just two miles from Cheshunt and these gardens are where students from the College of Horticulture in London come to study. The gardens are home to many flowers and interesting designs while various animals also call Capel Manor home. Paradise Wildlife Park is found just three miles from Cheshunt and is an ideal place to visit with children. A range of enclosures can be viewed in the summer with lions, tigers, zebra, tapirs and reptiles all available for viewing. This makes for a perfect summers day out for all the family!
Hertford weather in the summer brings with it a wealth of visitors, as the largest town in the county is home to many things to see and do. Hertford Castle and the collection of local churches make for great viewing and they all have an intense architectural draw. There are endless bars and eateries to enjoy with a total of 25 pubs and clubs to make use of. The skatepark is popular with children in the summer months and this can be found in Hartham Common. Anyone looking to cool down may wish to take a trip to the swimming pool and this can also be used in the winter as it is based indoors and is fully heated. Forty Hall can be found around 45 minutes from Hertford and the estate is surrounded by woodland that is great for hiking. Children can enjoy feeding the local ducks and fish found in the assortment of lakes and ponds here and the house is great for exploring when the weather turns cooler in the winter.
Winter Blues in Hertfordshire
The Lowewood Museum is set in a Georgian building that dates back to the 1700s and the museum boasts an impressive collection of artifacts that attract many visitors during the winter and summer months. This indoor attraction is found just four miles from Cheshunt and makes for a pleasant trip out.
Hertford Museum is also a great place to visit in the cold winter and this is based in a 17th century house that has a Jacobean style knot garden that is well worth exploring. The Hertford Corn Exchange is a popular entertainment venue and if you are visiting on a cold winter’s day then this offers many warm activities to enjoy including dance and drama performances.
Cheshunt and Hertfordshire weather will determine what activities you can do at what time of the year but be prepared to be busy during a trip here, whatever time of the year you visit!
15 Nov 10 Industries in Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a pretty county in the east of England and it is bordered by many important counties including Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Essex, Cambridgeshire and Greater London. Hertfordshire’s prime location in the UK is part of its appeal for visitors and locals. Other appeals include the county’s historical roots and thriving industries and many come to get a taste of an older England that offers a pleasant and welcoming charm that is often lost in modern towns and cities. Hertfordshire business ranges from small, locally run businesses through to large corporations, with many headquarters for big companies based here.
Hertfordshire Business
The town of Hemel Hempstead is home to DSG International, which is one of the top consumer electronics retailers in the whole of Europe. Close by in the town of Cheshunt the headquarters for Tesco can be found and this plant offers many local job vacancies due to its sheer size. The headquarters for Roche can be found in the lovely city of Welwyn Garden City and this is a subsidiary of Hoffman-La Roche, a Swiss pharmaceutical company. Pure Digital, the makers of the DAB radio and Cereal Partners are located in Kings Langley while the base for the ever popular JD Wetherspoon is located in the large area of Watford.
Rickmansworth is also home to a few company headquarters with Comet and Skanska both located here and GlaxoSmithKline boasts plants in Stevenage and Ware. Hatfield has strong connections to the aircraft sector as the area is famous for being the place where the first ever commercial jet liner was created by a company called de Havilland. The site is now home to the University of Hertfordshire and Computacenter, Ocado and T-Mobile are all based in the university grounds. Hertfordshire is also home to EADS Astrium in Stevenage and the company is well known for its production of satellites. St. Albans boasts the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) headquarters and this trade association for community pharmacies in the UK is a large Hertfordshire business.
Industrial Losses
All in all, Hertfordshire enjoys a thriving industry with many businesses proving successful in the area, something largely due to the proximity with many prosperous counties. The loss of the aircraft manufacturing in Hatfield was a blow to the local region and the move came about due to land prices in Hatfield soaring, forcing companies to look elsewhere.
Recruitment and land prices are cheaper in other counties but the popularity of operating a business from Hertfordshire seemingly wins over the outgoings the majority of the time. Scammell used to be based in Watford but were forced to relocate to save money and DRG suffered the same fate when they were forced to rethink their location in Hemel Hempstead. Lucas were also based in Hemel Hempstead and moved when prices got too high but in general the price of the land is usually suitable for the great location offered by businesses wanting to be based Hertfordshire.
With so many main businesses based in the area, it is easy to see why it is famous for its industries. Any Hertfordshire business will understand the importance of being based in such a well-placed area and high rentals are a small price to pay for a successful business.
Being close to many other thriving counties, Hertfordshire is a popular location with business owners. Visit the Hertfordshire Mercury for the latest Hertfordshire business news.
Tags: Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire Business, Hertfordshire Mercury
