Summer is well and truly here, and it’s a great time to stay with us at The Comet Hotel London Hatfield. Be sure to enjoy some time at out Element Bar & Kitchen, with its air-conditioned and spacious lounge and dining areas, plus the patio area for soaking up some sunshine. If you are staying with us for a few days, or even just one night, here’s a selection of events and ideas to get you out and about this month and into next.
Hatfield House
Hatfield House is a must during any visit. This beautiful historic house and parkland has links to Elizabeth I and holds a vast collection of remarkable period art and furnishings. The grounds make for a charming day out in summer, and Hatfield House hosts all kinds of events too. Here’s our pick for July.
The Champagne House Tour of Hatfield House gives you over 400 years of Jacobean splendour in a small group setting, with the added bonus of some fizz! It’s a unique way to discover more about this fabulous building, its artworks and history. Highly recommended, the tours run fairly often, with one on Wednesday 5th July, from 6 to 8pm.
Battle Proms is a real summer celebration with music, fireworks, Spitfire, cannons and cavalry! Taking place on Saturday 15th July from 4:30pm, it’s a full 2 hour orchestral concert from the New English Concert Orchestra, including a host of well-known uplifting classical pieces, plus the traditional ‘last night of the proms’ flag-waving sing-along with favourites such as Jerusalem, Land of Hope and Glory and more, with fireworks. So take a picnic, grab some fizz, and dive into the 22nd annual Hatfield House Battle Proms Concert.
Things are a little less bombastic the following day, with Folk By The Oak.
Enjoy a great day of music from award winning musicians and inspiring new talent, with festival fun for the whole family. Head in down from 12pm on Sunday 16th July.
For a truly fascinating and somewhat different day out, we recommend the Hatfield House Beekeeping Experience. Discover the secrets of one of the most important and fascinating creatures on the planet in this informative day out, with use of bee keepers outfits included! A perfect Sunday? Book now for Sunday 23rd July, and the event starts at 9:30am, running until 3pm.
Running a little further ahead now to 2nd August, you may well fancy a Gin Foraging Experience For Two! Explore the grounds, select your botanicals with expert guidance from Spirit of Hertfordshire, and have a go at creating your own gin! This day event runs 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, with lunch included. Finish the day with a tasting, and your very own 20cl personalised bottle of gin to take home.
St Albans
St Albans is 1000 years old, the jewel of Hertfordshire, and at the heart of English history. This Walking Tour on 5th July takes in both the popular and lesser known sites of the City. Learn about revolting peasants, martyrs, heretics, monasteries and monks, walk the grounds of the magnificent Cathedral, and admire the building that was begun by the Normans.
The Bishop of St Albans Garden is open to show off its summer finery every Sunday until the 6th August, with access between 2pm and 4pm. The historic garden is planted so that every season throughout the year has colour and interest.
And for those who like a good pub, how about a tour of the historic pubs of St Albans? For centuries, the innkeepers and publicans of St Albans have provided hospitality for pilgrims, travellers, market traders and locals alike. This walk traces the changing fortunes of many establishments – some long gone, others re-invented and those that remain virtually unchanged by time. Sounds like thirsty work!
We hope that some of these ideas will get you out and about exploring the local area. We look forward to welcoming you at The Comet Hotel London Hatfield this July.