Hertford is a county town and civil parish in Hertfordshire. It has a population of 26,000, and is governed by Hertfordshire County Council. The town is located roughly 20 miles from London and lies at the confluence of four river valleys.
Hertford was first mentioned in 637 AD, and by the time of the Doomsday Book, had a total of two markets, two churches and three mills. Hertford Castle came shortly thereafter, followed by Hertford Priory –which was later demolished.
By the 18th century, Hertford was prosperous market town. With the arrival of the railway and construction of Lee Navigational Canal, connections to the town improved greatly.
These days, the town is up and coming. Many see Hertford as a great place to start a family, with its good schools and shopping scene. It retains both its medieval layout and country-town feel, despite being close to London. The town boasts a number of small businesses and startup companies, which it make it popular with entrepreneurs. It’s also commuting distance from Harlow, Bishop’s Stortford, and Stevenage.
Hertford boasts offers a variety of sights and attractions such as parks, museums and theatres. Must-visit landmarks include Hertford Theatre, Hertford Museum and Hertford Castle. For outdoor fun, head to Panshanger Park or Hartham Common, and, for great views, check out Bayfordbury Observatory.
Hertford has a number of football clubs, along with a cricket club. The town has also has leisure centre on Hartham Common. The famous rock band, Deep Purple, hail from Hertford, and, so too does the singer George Ezra. Other famous local residents, past and present, include English naturalist, Alfred Russel Wallace, and politician, John Wilkes.
Hertford has two main train stations: Hertford East and Hertford North. Both offer regular services to London, along with Stevenage and Letchworth. A number of buses run through Hertford and connect to nearby towns. From Bircherley Green bus station, you can catch a bus to Royston, Bishop’s Storford or Waltham Cross.
Make your trip to Hertford worthwhile with a stay in a SilverDoor serviced apartment.
