Hatfield House

Hatfield House is a beautiful Jacobean house and gardens in a countryside setting. It’s also home to the Royal Palace of Hatfield which is where Elizabeth I grew up. Out on the grounds is an oak tree which marks the spot where Elizabeth first heard of her ascension to the throne. Okay, it’s a plaque marking the spot where the oak tree used to be. Still pretty cool.
The house itself is quite nice; it IS one of the ten Treasure Hosues of England, you know. Personally, I found the grounds far more interesting. There are several gardens to wander through, such as the knot garden and scented garden. There are so many beautiful flowers and sculptures to admire whilst wandering around. This is a gorgeous place for afternoon picnics or just to lay in the sun and read. Outdoor concerts and films are shown in the summer as well, I’m planning to catch one at some point in the next couple of months.
I’m knocking off a star because:
* according to the website and the pamphlets inside, the last people are admitted at 4:00 pm. So why were the doors locked at 3:10?