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Hertford Castle and Grounds
www.hertford.gov.uk
Hertford’s castle is the best-known link with the town’s
historic past - providing tangible evidence of Hertford’s
many connections with England’s Kings and Queens (almost every
 monarch
from Saxon times up to and including Queen Elizabeth I who died
in 1603 is known to have visited it).The present appearance of the
castle owes much to the Marquess of Downshire in the 1780s. He set
out to transform the gatehouse into a mansion and erected new wings
with gothic windows.
Owned by the Cecil family, the castle is now part of the far-flung
Salisbury Estates, but has been leased to the town and used as municipal
offices and public gardens for most of this century.
Further information about the history of Hertford Castle is available
in numerous publications/leaflets from the Town & Tourist Information
Centre and Hertford Museum.
For a full programme of Open Days and Events at The Castle contact
Hertford Town Council on (01992) 552885.
Castle Tours
Unlock the secrets of Hertford Castle by booking a tour with a guide,
contact the Town & Tourist Information Centre in Market Place
on (01992) 584322 -Book in advance. A recommended voluntary donation
of £2 per person to the Mayor of Hertford Appeal Fund is welcomed.
Hertford Museum, Bull Plain
Opening the Doors to the Past www.hertfordmuseum.org
Recently refurbished, Hertford Museum was founded in 1902. Permanent
displays sit alongside a rolling programme of special exhibitions,
and there is a Jacobean-style garden to be enjoyed in the warmer
weather.
The museum shop stocks a variety of items to cater for all tastes
and interests, including photographs and prints relating to the
local area and offers a variety of events providing a fascinating
visit for all ages. To find out more contact (01992) 582686 or e-mail:curator@hertfordmuseum.org
Open Tuesday - Saturday 10am-5pm.
Hertford War Memorial, Parliament
Square.
At the centre of the town of Hertford lies the Portland stone war
memorial topped with its distinctive bronze hart. 482 individual
servicemen and civilians, ranging from 4 to 60 years of age are
commemorated on the memorial.
The memorial was originally erected by public subscription on a
site given by Sir Edward and Lady Pearson and it was unveiled on
Sunday 6 November 1921 by the Mayor of Hertford, Alderman James
Burnett Smith MB. The memorial is built from the same Portland stone
as the Cenotaph. The architect for the memorial was Sir Aston Webb,
PRA and his son Maurice Webb; Sir Aston was the architect for a
number of prominent buildings, including the principal façade
of Buckingham Palace and the entrance façade of the Victoria
and Albert Museum. The bronze hart was sculpted by Alfred Drury,
RA, whose work can also be found at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Additional places of interest
Shire Hall, Fore Street Built in 1767-79, this
building is one of the landmarks of the town with its distinctive
clock and Georgian architect. Major repair and refurbishment took
place in 1987-90. 
The Seed Warehouse, Maidenhead Yard, The Wash This
historic building, restored by the Town Council stores the Museums
collections and houses a rare 4th century Roman Corn Dryer originally
discovered at Foxholes Farm. For information on Open Days contact
the Hertford Museum.
Verger’s House, St Andrew Street Now Beckwith’s
Antique Shop, it was built around 1450 and restored in 1970. This
timber-framed building is the oldest surviving domestic building
in the town.
Friends Meeting House, Railway Street This is the
oldest purpose built Quaker Meeting House in the world, having been
in continuous use since its erection in 1670. Quaker leaders George
Fox and William Penn are known to have worshipped in this building.
Lombard House, Bull Plain Built in the 16th century
and was once the home of Sir Henry Chauncy, the Hertfordshire historian
whose great uncle, Charles Chauncy, was President of Harvard College
1654-1671. Now the home of The Hertford Club. (not open to the public)
 St
Leonard’s Church, Bengeo This virtually unspoilt
Norman village church was built around 1120. Interesting features
include a Norman font, an Anchorite’s Cell and a 13th century
wall painting of the deposition from the cross.
For information on services and events contact Mrs P Martin Tel
:(01992) 422441
More buildings of interest can be found on the Discover Hertford
Historic Walk on page 16.
Prince Albert Cottages No 11 Cowbridge and WE Johns’
Biggles House, No 41 Cowbridge. Both are considered important to
the town’s history. More information can be found in the Civic
Society’s publication ‘Buildings of Hertford’
available from the Town and Tourist Information Centre or the Civic
Society (contact details page 21).
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