# Hertford

Hertford is the county town of Hertfordshire in England and has a population of around 29,000 in 2021. It was the birthplace of Samuel Stone, who is credited with being the founder of Hartford, Connecticut. The medieval town was built next to Hertford Castle that protects the ford through the River Lee replacing an earlier Saxon burh.

## Understand
### Tourist information

* 51.796569-0.079251 Hertford Town and Tourist Information Centre (Go Hertford), 10-12 The Wash, SG14 1PX, ☏ +44 1992 584322, tic@hertford.gov.uk. Daily 9:30AM-5PM. (updated Nov 2022)

## Get in

Travelling to Hertford is simple, with a large selection of transport options. The town lies 20 mi (32 km) directly north of London.

### By bicycle

* National Cycle Route 61 (NCN 61). Long distance cycle route from Maidenhead (Berkshire) to Broxbourne (Hertfordshire). (updated Nov 2022)

### By rail

Hertford is easily accessed by train, generously served by two train stations. Both stations accept Oyster and contactless payments.
* 51.799-0.0731 Hertford East (HFE), Mill Road, SG14 1SB. Regular terminating services from London Liverpool Street and Stratford stations, operated by Greater Anglia. (updated Nov 2022)
* 51.799-0.0922 Hertford North (HFN), North Road, SG14 1NB. Regular stopping services from London Moorgate and Stevenage stations, operated by Great Northern. (updated Nov 2022)

### By bus

Hertford bus station is at Bircherley Green.
* 51.797859-0.0764873 Hertford Bus Station, Bircherley Green, SG14 1RL, toll-free: +44 300 123 4050. (updated Nov 2022)

### By road

Hertford is close to the A10, A414, A1(M) and M25. From the A10 take the junction for Hertford at Rush Green. From the A1(M) take Junction 4 for Welywn Garden City and follow the A414 Eastbound. From the M25 Junction 23 links up with the A1(M), or Junction 25 links the A10. The town can be reached in 45 minutes from Stansted Airport via the A10 and A120. It can be reached from London Gatwick and London Heathrow via the M25.

### By plane

Hertford can be reached by public transport from all five London airports:
* London Heathrow (LHR) – Greenline 724 bus (2½ hr) or the Piccadilly Line connecting at Finsbury Park to Hertford North (1½ hr).
* London Stansted (STN) – National Express bus route 737 (45 mins); or Greater Anglia train to Broxbourne and change for train to Hertford East.
* London Gatwick (LGW) – Thameslink train to Finsbury Park and change for train to Hertford North.
* London City (LCY) – Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to Stratford station, then train to Hertford East.
* London Luton (LTN) – National Express bus route 737 to Hertford East station (1 hr).

## Get around

Hertford has a small town centre and everything can be seen by walking around.

## See

Historical points of interest include:
* 51.7953-0.080231 Hertford Castle, The Castle, SG14 1HR, ☏ +44 1992 552885, enquiries@hertfordcastle.co.uk. Dates back to 900 AD, although only the gatehouse and some walls are remaining. The building is now the government office of Hertford Town Council, a museum, and an event space. (updated Nov 2022)
* 51.80558-0.072022 St. Leonard’s Church, 28 St Leonard's Rd, Bengeo, SG14 3JW (from Port Hill follow Hartham Bank footpath north of Hartham Common), ☏ +44 1992 413691. A Norman church built about 1120 and the oldest building in Hertford. (updated Jan 2021)
* 51.79646-0.082273 St Nicholas Hall (Beckwith & Son), 43 St Andrew St, SG14 1HZ (next to St Andrews Church), ☏ +44 1992 582079. (updated Nov 2022)
* 51.796849-0.0811064 The home of Alfred Russel Wallace, Wallace House, 11 St Andrew Street, SG14 1HZ. Russel proposed the theory of natural selection more or less at the same time as Charles Darwin. It is marked with a plaque. (updated Nov 2022)
* 51.79735-0.075675 Quaker Meeting House, 50 Railway St, SG14 1EH. The oldest purpose-built one in the world (in Railway Street), in use since 1670. (updated Nov 2022)
* 51.7963-0.0775256 Shire Hall, 4 Market Place, SG14 1DF, ☏ +44 1992 588998. It was built in 1779 and designed by the noted architect, Robert Adam.
* 51.79663-0.079857 Samuel Stone memorial, Mill Bridge, SG14 1PZ (next to Hertford Theatre on Mill Bridge). A statue of the founder of Hartford. (updated Nov 2022)
* 51.7972-0.0788 Hertford Museum, 18 Bull Plain, SG14 1DT, ☏ +44 1992 582686. Although small, this museum in the town centre offers a fascinating range of artifacts and an oversight of the history of the town.
* 51.79831-0.07259 Christ's Hospital (Bluecoat's School), 1 Bluecoats Ave, Hertford SG14 1PB. (updated Nov 2020)

## Do

Cultural venues provide wholesome entertainment:
* Walk along the rivers. Hertford is at the confluence of four rivers, with the Rivers Beane, Mimram and Rib flowing into the River Lea and forming a navigable canal at Hertford, with the 51.79642-0.0801810 Hertford Castle Weir. next to the Hertford Theatre.
* 51.79635-0.079651 Hertford Theatre, The Wash, SG14 1PS, ☏ +44 1992 531500, box.office@hertfordtheatre.com. (updated Nov 2022)
* 51.7991-0.083982 Manic Ceramics, 22 Port Vale, SG14 3AB, ☏ +44 1992 554124. Tu-F 10AM-5PM. Paint your own pottery. (updated Dec 2020)
* 51.796553-0.0763843 Hertford Corn Exchange, 39 Fore St, SG14 1AL, ☏ +44 1727 844627, info@cornexchangehertford.co.uk. Live music, dance, comedy and events venue in a Victorian hall with a large dance floor. (updated Dec 2022)
* 51.79873-0.083644 Courtyard Arts Centre, Port Vale, SG14 3AA, ☏ +44 1992 509596, admin@courtyardarts.org.uk. Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM. Hertford's leading visual arts venue. (updated Dec 2022)
* 51.7421-0.0539885 Paradise Wildlife Park, Broxbourne. White lions, tigers, snow leopards, zebras, reindeer, tapir, meerkat, red pandas and capybaras - find the big and small at Paradise Wildlife Park in Broxbourne. (updated Jun 2023)

## Buy

Hertford is a noted centre for shops selling antiques and collectables.
* 51.79687-0.080851 Mark Wines Antiques, 1 St. Andrew St, SG14 1HZ, ☏ +44 1992 534522, info@markwinesantiques.co.uk. (updated Nov 2020)
* 51.7965-0.082662 Sworders, 42 St. Andrew St, SG14 1JA, ☏ +44 1992 583508, hertfordoffice@sworder.co.uk. Fine art auctioneer. (updated Nov 2020)
* 51.79676-0.079643 Rossi's Attic, 4 Mill Bridge, SG14 1PY, ☏ +44 1992 509547, info@rossisattic.co.uk. Vintage retro antiques & collectables. (updated Nov 2022)
* 51.79649-0.0761024 Eye Mind Heart, 41 Fore St, SG14 1AL, info@eyemindheart.com. 9AM–6PM. Homewares shop. (updated Nov 2022)
* 51.795379-0.0783345 The Shop, 19-21 Parliament Square, Hertford SG14 1EX. Homewares Shop. (updated Nov 2022)

### Market

* 51.79668-0.077636 Hertfords Farmers Market, Salisbury Square, SG14 1BG. 8AM-3PM 2nd Sa every month. Fruit & vegetables, cheese. (updated Nov 2020)

## Eat

A broad array of cuisines are offered through the restaurants of Hertford:
* 51.79838-0.082931 Oh My Cod (Fish Bar), 39 Cowbridge, SG14 1PN, ☏ +44 1992 505066. M-Th 11:30AM-10PM, F Sa 11:30-11PM, Su 3-10PM. (updated Dec 2020)
* 51.79621-0.07892 Oishii, 33 Green Dragon Vaults, The Wash, SG14 1PT, ☏ +44 1992 500995, info@Oishiihertford.com. M-F noon-3PM 6-11PM, Sa Su noon-11PM. Japanese restaurant. (updated Nov 2020)
* 51.796275-0.0763 Mr Tanaka's, 2 Post Office Walk, SG14 1DL, ☏ +44 1992 536555, 123tanakas@gmail.com. Japanese and Katsu restaurant. (updated Nov 2022)
* 51.79679-0.074924 Veyso's Brasserie, 97-101 Fore Street, SG14 1AS, ☏ +44 1992 550055, info@veysos.co.uk. Su-Th noon-11PM, F Sa noon-midnight. Mediterranean restaurant. (updated Nov 2020)
* 51.796704-0.0752755 Lussmanns, 83 Fore Street, SG14 1AL, ☏ +44 1992 929500, reservations@lussmanns.com. European bistro specialising in fish and grill dishes amid clean, modern decor with a cosy basement. (updated Nov 2022)
* 51.795727-0.0782716 Proove Pizza, 3 Parliament Square, Hertford SG14 1EX, ☏ +44 1992 927487. Neapolitan pizza & small plates. (updated Nov 2022)

## Drink

The town is well provisioned with public houses, many of which are supplied by the 51.79808-0.0800111 McMullens brewery. in the town:
* 51.795577-0.0782431 The Blackbirds, 15-17 Parliament Square, SG14 1EX (by the war memorial with the hart statue), ☏ +44 1992 509286, blackbirds.hertford@stonegategroup.co.uk. 11AM-10PM. (updated Nov 2022)
* 51.79667-0.074982 Dog and Whistle, 112 Fore St, SG14 1AB, ☏ +44 1992 552274, bookings@dogandwhistlepub.co.uk. (updated Nov 2022)
* 51.7959-0.078633 Hertford House Hotel, 1 Fore St, SG14 1DA (by the war memorial with the hart statue), ☏ +44 1992 517440, enquiries@hertfordhouse.co.uk. (updated Nov 2022)
* 51.7975-0.074914 Lord Haig, 5 South St, SG14 1AZ, ☏ +44 1992 582706, lordhaig@hotmail.com. 11AM-10PM. McMullens. (updated Nov 2022)
* 51.796444-0.0816995 Lomo Bar and Grill, 25A St. Andrew Street, SG14 1HZ, ☏ +44 1992 587772. (updated Nov 2022)
* 51.79701-0.08136 Old Cross Tavern, 8 St Andrew St, SG14 1JA, ☏ +44 1992 558061, oldcrosstavern@gmail.com. 4:30-10PM. (updated Nov 2020)
* 51.79623-0.076537 The Practitioner, 76-78 Fore St, SG14 1BY, ☏ +44 1992 532200, practitioner.hertford@mcmullens.co.uk. (updated Nov 2022)
* 51.79727-0.07598 The Snug, 32-36 Railway St, SG14 1BA, ☏ +44 1992 587674, hertford@thesnugbar.co.uk. (updated Nov 2022)
* 51.79654-0.077179 White Hart, Salisbury Square, SG14 1BW, ☏ +44 1992 583605, whitehart.hertford@mcmullens.co.uk. (updated Nov 2022)
* 51.79697-0.08012510 The Woolpack, Mill Bridge, SG14 1PZ, ☏ +44 1992 583766, woolpack.hertford@mcmullens.co.uk. (updated Nov 2022)

### Not McMullens

and a selection of town centre pubs that don't sell McMullen's Beer:
* 51.79711-0.076311 The Hertford Bell, 24 Railway St, SG14 1BA, ☏ +44 1992 551494. 11AM-10PM. Green King (updated Nov 2020)
* 51.79595-0.0784712 The Quietman, 2/4 Fore St, SG14 1BZ (by the war memorial with the hart statue), ☏ +44 1992 517440. (updated Nov 2020)
* 51.79613-0.079213 The Six Templars, 1 The Wash, SG14 1PS, ☏ +44 1992 517430. 8AM-11PM. Wetherspoons. (updated Nov 2022)
* 51.794298-0.07999314 White Horse, Castle St, SG14 1HH, ☏ +44 1992 500557. M-Th 4-11PM, F Sa noon-11PM, Su noon-10PM. Fullers (updated Nov 2020)

### Off Centre

A few minutes further walk from the centre:
* 51.7937-0.0825915 The Black Horse, 29-31 West St, SG13 8EZ, ☏ +44 1992 583630, info@theblackhorse.biz. M-Th noon-11PM, F Sa noon-midnight, Su noon-10:30PM. Traditional free house established in 1817. (updated Dec 2020)
* 51.79948-0.0687516 Great Eastern Tavern, 29 Railway Pl, SG13 7BS, ☏ +44 1992 582048. noon-10PM. McMullens (updated Nov 2020)
* 51.79794-0.0781717 The Old Barge, 2 The Folly, SG14 1QD (next to the canal), ☏ +44 1992 581871. W-F 5-9PM, Sa noon-9PM, Su noon-6PM. Real ale and cider free house. (updated Nov 2020)

### North

To the north of Hertford in Bengeo:
* 51.80025-0.08687618 The Millstream, 88 Port Vale, SG14 3AF, ☏ +44 1992 582755, millstreamhertford@hotmail.co.uk. (updated Nov 2020)
* 51.80533-0.0815819 White Lion, 59 Bengeo St, Bengeo, SG14 3ET, ☏ +44 1992 509717. (updated Nov 2020)

### Coffee and milkshakes

* 51.79692-0.0777320 Hertford Coffee Lab, 6 Bull Plain, SG14 1DT, info@bionicbull.co.uk. M-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 9AM-4PM. small-batch, hand-roasted coffee, made in Hertford. (updated Nov 2022)
* 51.79662-0.0777221 Shaken Cow, 5 Maidenhead Street, SG14 1DP, info@theshakencow.com. F noon-5PM, Sa 9:30AM-5:30PM, Su 11AM-4PM. A shake bar (updated Nov 2020)
* 51.79617-0.0762322 Il Vino Cafe, 82 Fore St, SG14 1BY, ☏ +44 1992 550582. 8:30AM-4PM. Italian family-run cafe. (updated Nov 2022)
* 51.796735-0.07749723 Bebo Café, 1 Railway St, SR14 1BG, ☏ +44 1992 848556. 8AM-5PM. (updated Nov 2022)
* 51.796462-0.07719224 Brad & Dills, 14 Market Pl, SG14 1DQ, ☏ +44 7531 321421, hello@bradanddills.com. 9AM-4PM. coffee & bagels. (updated Nov 2022)

## Sleep

A selection of comfortable hotels provide overnight accommodation:
* 51.79643-0.075621 Cinnabar Hotel, 88-96 Fore St, SG14 1AA, ☏ +44 1992 660660. 4-star hotel with night club and 14 individually decorated rooms. Fair restaurant with extensive wine list. £90-150. (updated Nov 2020)
* 51.79884-0.08322 Number One Port Hill, 1 Port Hill, SG14 1PJ, ☏ +44 1992 587350. Gorgeous arty B&B with three rooms in a Georgian town house. No children under 12 or dogs. B&B double £130. (updated Aug 2020)
* 51.79601-0.077553 Salisbury Arms Hotel (was the Bell), Fore St, SG14 1BZ, ☏ +44 1992 583091. M-Sa 8AM-10PM, Su 8AM-8:30PM. Beautiful Grade II* 15th-century McMullens Hotel with white pargeted façades. (Closed for renovation as of Aug 2022.) (updated Aug 2022)
* 51.791714-0.1065474 The White Horse Hotel, 234 Hertingfordbury Road, Hertingfordbury (1.4 miles west from Hertford along A414, turn south at Thieves Lane roundabout into Hertingfordbury Village), ☏ +44 1992 586791, info@whitehorsehertingfordbury.co.uk. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. A country inn dating from the 15th-century, this pub with guest rooms is in the quiet village of Hertingfordbury. £90+. (updated Nov 2022)

## Cope

* 51.79605-0.07942 Public toilet (adjacent to Six Templars by the entrance to the castle). free. (updated Nov 2020)

## Go next

Villages surrounding Hertford are very attractive and affluent, as the area forms part of London's commuter belt:
* To the east, Ware, 3 mi (4.8 km) miles following the River Lea.
* To the west, Hatfield, 8 mi (13 km) miles along the A414 and another 6 mi (9.7 km) to St Albans.
* To the south west through country lanes to Essendon, Brookmans Park and Potters Bar along the B158.