A self-guided audio walk

Old Hatfield

Bishops, a Tudor palace and the Great North Road

For five hundred years this hilltop belonged to the Bishops of Ely. Then it became a royal nursery, then the seat of the Cecils, and all the while a coaching town on the road north. This loop from the station takes in the lot, in a little over a mile.

1.1 mi1.8 km loop

75–90minutes

12stops

Audionarration

Start at Hatfield station. The map follows you, and each stop's story plays as you arrive. Narrated in the filmmaker's own voice, recreated with AI.

Before you go

Getting there

Start outside Hatfield station, on the line north from London King's Cross. The walk ends at the Stable Yard, about ten minutes' walk from the station.

Your phone

Tap Save for offline before you set off, in case the signal drops. Keep the screen on while you walk: the page keeps it awake for you, and the map uses your location only on your phone. Headphones, or one earbud, make the narration easier to hear on the main road.

Opening times

The streets, the gates and the churchyard can be seen at any time. St Etheldreda's Church is usually open in the daytime from Tuesday to Sunday between Easter and October; check stetheldreda.org. The Stable Yard is free to enter all year; its café and shops keep their own hours. Hatfield House, its gardens and the Old Palace need tickets and open on set days: hatfield-house.co.uk.

Access, toilets and safety

The ground

Pavements and paved paths throughout, with some uneven and sloping surfaces. Fore Street is a short, steep climb; the gentler way up is Church Street, which the route uses on the way back.

Toilets and food

Toilets and a café at the Stable Yard at the end. Pubs at stops 6 and 7; check they're open before you plan on them.

Traffic

The Great North Road at the start is busy. Use the crossings, and watch for cars in the narrow streets of the old town, which have little pavement in places.

For families: Spot it!

Every stop has one thing to find. Tap Spotted it when you've seen it, and see how many you've found at the end. Some are easy. One or two are not.

Walk complete

If you have more time:

Sources and credits

Facts were checked against the sources below. Where they disagree, or a story is only tradition, the narration says so.