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Dating back toSaxon times, the village of Hatfield was first known as “Hetfelle” and then became known as “Haethfeld” when around 970 King Edgar gave 5,000 acres to the monastery of Ely. No records remain from this time until 1226 when Henry III granted the Bishops of Ely rights to an annual four-day fair and a weekly market. Old Hatfield retains many historic buildings notably the Old Palace, St. Etheldreda’s Church and Hatfield House. The Old Palace was built by the Bishop of Ely, Cardinal Morton, in 1497 during the reign of Henry VII and the only surviving wing is still used today for Elizabethan Banquets. St. Etheldreda’s Church was founded by the monks from Ely and the first wooden church, built in 1285, was probably sited where the existing building stands overlooking the Old Town.

Perhaps the most famous local historical landmark is Hatfield House, seat of the Cecil family, whose history is not only closely interwoven with that of the town but also of Tudor times. Princess Elizabeth Tudor was confined for three years in what is now known as “The Old Palace” in Hatfield Park. It was here in 1558, whilst said to be sitting under an oak tree in the Park, that she received news that she had become Queen following the death of her half-sister, Mary. Records show that within a few days the young Queen Elizabeth held her first Council in the Great Hall (The Old Palace) of Hatfield.

The Old Town and its trade were very dependent on the Great North Road and during the 1880’s it became an important railway centre. The onset of this new era in transport saw the beginnings of the expansion of Hatfield.

The opening of the de Havilland aircraft factory prior to the Second World War resulted in further rapid growth of the town. The birthplace of the Mosquito, Comet and Trident ensured that the name of Hatfield will forever be linked with the history of British aviation. The de Havilland Company, later Hawker Siddeley and finally British Aerospace, became the district’s largest employer. The urgent post-war demand for new housing and the growth, locally, of de Havilland’s and other factories resulted in Hatfield being designated as one of the eight “new towns” to ring London. Distinct “new town” characteristics are the number of trees and open spaces that were outlined in the original design. The closing of British Aerospace in 1992 had a serious impact on the area, but the site has since seen rapid development for housing, employment, education and recreation as well as the de Havilland Campus of the University of Hertfordshire. Coupled with the Town Centre redevelopment by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council the future of the town is exceptionally promising. The population of Hatfield has expanded to over 32,000 and is still growing. Situated in the south of Hertfordshire, Hatfield is 20 miles to the north of London and separated from the city by the Green Belt. The town has excellent transport links with the nearest airport at Luton only 14 miles away. The A1 (M) and, a few miles to the south, the M25 make for easy access to Heathrow and Gatwick by car. The main railway link from London to York runs through the district and there is a 22 minute commuter service to London.