Museums & places of interest

Visit the substantial remains of a strong and important motte-and-bailey castle, one of the oldest in England, dating from the 11th to 15th centuries, with surrounding walls, ditches and earthworks. It was here that the Anglo-Saxons surrendered to William, Duke of Normandy in December 1066, and he became "The Conqueror". Home to the Earls of Cornwall in the 13th Century, Edward, the Black Prince in... Read more

Bletchley Park, once the top-secret home of the World War Two Codebreakers, is now a vibrant heritage attraction, open daily to visitors. Experience the stories of the extraordinary achievements of the men and women who worked there.

A place of exceptional historical importance, Bletchley Park is also the birthplace of modern computing and has helped shape life as we know it today.... Read more

Cadbury World is located in the grounds of the original Cadbury factory, Discover the history, the making and the magic of Cadbury confectionery as you journey through our chocolatey zones. From learning how chocolate is made to playing in chocolate rain . You'll discover the origins of the cocoa bean amidst trees and waterfalls in the Aztec Jungle, before jumping on board the magical Cadabra ride and visiting the 4D Chocolate Adventure zone.

Open Air Museum is a 43-acre site with woodland walks, a traditional farm, and 37 rescued historic buildings. There are special events and activities most weekends, including Vikings, Gladiators and Medieval Knights. Visitors can enjoy lunch or a cream tea in our Furniture Factory Tea Room or a picnic on the Village Green. A good value season ticket is available. Closed over winter.

Our Family Arts Studio is located on the top floor of the Broadway Gallery and plays host to a range of Family Arts workshops, drop in sessions, birthday parties and one off events.

The Studio is fully equipped with a range of art-making materials and can be used for drop in 1pm-5pm Wednesday to Friday and select Saturdays. We encourage all families to come along and have fun getting... Read more

Enjoy a house steeped in over 400 years of history, with gardens that offer 40 acres of tranquillity. Built by Robert Cecil, in the grounds where Queen Elizabeth I spent much of her childhood, Hatfield House is home to centuries of historical treasures collected by the Cecil family.

The picture perfect Gardens date from the early 17th Century, when Robert Cecil employed John Tradescant... Read more

At Henry Moore's former home in Hertfordshire, our Studios & Gardens are open to visitors each summer. The gardens showcase Moore's iconic sculptures in a beautiful setting. Alongside the inspiring studios, exhibition and sculpture gardens, we have recently opened a new visitor centre. Here you can enjoy delicious refreshments in our new cafe or find art books and exclusive gifts in our shop.

Hertford Museum aims to collect and preserve evidence of the history of the county town and surrounding parishes for the interest, enjoyment and understanding of the local community and other visitors. The museum offers displays on two floors as well as things to touch and play with. It also runs regular events for families and children.

Hertford Text Trail is a classic treasure hunt with a modern twist: clues are delivered via text message and answers submitted by texting back.

Our trails aim to help you explore the town in a new way, getting you off the beaten track and noticing small details, so a Text Trail is great whether you're local to Hertford or just visiting for the day.

There are 2 Text Trails... Read more

Appointments not necessary, although visitors are recommended to provide advance notice of document orders. Please see website for opening hours and events including family activities throughout the year. We are the ideal place for discovering local and family history in Hertfordshire. To start your search, use our online catalogues or visit us at County Hall, Hertford.