Rolling hills. Spectacular vistas. Epic landmarks. Picture-perfect period properties. Iconic film studios.
Just a few of the reasons Hertfordshire appears on our screens time after time in an extensive film and television catalogue that spans history.
Delve into Hertfordshire’s Hollywood connections whilst enjoying the breath-taking beauty and fascinating heritage of the county as you head to some of the top location spots that have housed production crews including everything from The Crown to Star Wars!
Behind the scenes
Step onto the sets of hundreds of films as you discover Knebworth House with its beautiful grounds, intricate interiors and fascinating history. In addition to the regular tours of the property, and brand new for this year, you can now also relive iconic moments from cinematic, television and pop history at their captivating 'On Location' exhibition. From The Kings Speech, to Batman The Movie, The Crown and Paddington 2, Knebworth has been gracing the big and small screen for decades and this curated collection of treasures from the venue's long filming history is a true celebration of its filming pedigree.
With original film posters, to set photography, to props and costumes, to memorabilia, the collection dates back over fifty years and is a fascinating journey through Knebworth's illustrious location house history and Hollywood connections. Check out the exhibition, gen up on your film facts, and then step onto the sets yourselves! Take a stroll around Knebworth and its stunning gardens, immersing yourselves in film history as you spot iconic locations at every turn.
Step back in time
For a truly unique and immersive experience, step back in time at the Ashlyn School with its brand-new Virtual Reality Tour and discover the fascinating history of the Foundling School. The location for several film and award-winning television productions including The Crown and Call The Midwife, visitors to Ashlyns can walk in the footsteps of stars from the film and TV world and take a look at the transformations of the school locations as they star on screen.
With insights and interviews from former foundlings, and the best in modern VR technology to recreate locations and details from the listed buildings and grounds, visitors will be truly immersed in the school's captivating history spanning all the way back to the 1700s.
Check out the wealth of stunning architectural features around the school during the tour including the spectacular stained glass windows in the Chapel, the beautiful staircase in the entrance hall and the carved fireplace in the old Board Room as you learn all about the figures and details of the schools historic journey from a Foundling Hospital to a modern comprehensive secondary school.
Embark on a historic journey of discovery from the 1700s to the present day, with a touch of location spotting and movie magic along the way!
The sky's the limit
Experience the exhilarating thrill of flying the legendary DH98 Mosquito without leaving the ground as you take flight in the brand-new Mosquito Flight Simulator at De Havilland Museum. Climb to 30, 000 feet and experience the magical feeling of taking to the skies in a historic war-winner! Your adrenaline will be pumping as you take the controls in the replica FB VI cockpit and fly this awesome aircraft on one of their prepared missions.
Alternatively, you might like to be a movie star for the day - flying the Norwegian fjords seen in classic war film 633 Squadron, or guiding home a lost aviator like John Travolta in forthcoming blockbuster The Shepherd. Your flight will take place in a full-sized replica cockpit, accompanied by the unmistakable sound of twin Merlin engines and, to make your experience EVEN MORE immersive, the world outside your cockpit is projected on to a 270 wrap-around screen!
You can also book a cockpit experience in one of the museum’s historic Mosquitos, learning about the history of the aircraft, gaining a commemorative certificate and the all-important photo of you in the pilot's seat of course.
The sky's the limit at De Havilland!
Make a day of it
Hertfordshire’s prime attraction, St Albans Cathedral is surrounded by parkland, and sits just a stone’s throw from the thriving city centre. The Cathedral is home to the Shrine of St Alban, the longest nave in England, stunning medieval wall paintings and epic architecture that spans a millennia. With free guided tours every day of the week and the Abbot’s Kitchen cafe serving delicious lunches and afternoon teas, head to the cathedral for breath-taking sights and a day out complete with history, heritage and discovery. Whilst you’re in St. Albans, don’t miss the St. Alban’s Museum and Gallery, a dynamic centre for arts and culture set over three floors showcasing 2000 years of priceless heritage, contemporary art and world treasures.
If it’s mansions and grand houses set in sweeping grounds and glorious gardens that are more your cup of tea, then Hertfordshire has period properties at every turn. From Pendley Manor to the Ashridge Estate, to Hatfield Park Farm, to Brocket Hall to Knebworth House, Hertfordshire’s historic and architectural gems have been made world-famous by their starring roles in UK period dramas for many years now. Open to the public for tours and self-guided exploration, visitors will step back in time into some of the most recognisable scenes from screen history as they spot locations from high quality productions such as The King’s Speech, The Crown, Bridgerton and Young Victoria among many, many others. For a less manicured, but none the less spectacular walk, The Ashridge Estate in the rolling Chiltern Hills offers natural wonders such as carpets of bluebells in Spring, rare butterflies in Summer and the fallow deer running wild in the Autumn.
A stroll around one of Hertfordshire’s prettiest market towns also makes for a pleasant morning or afternoon. Try Tring for the tantalising farmers market bursting with fresh local produce or Berkhamstead for its literary connections to prolific British author Graham Green, historic castle and charming indie high street.
Stay a while
With so much to see on your historic Hertfordshire weekend you’re going to need to stay a while and there are some beautiful and unique accommodation options across the county that’ll will make your visit that little bit extra special.
For a touch of vintage glamour, stay at The Cromwell in Stevenage, a stylish and characterful property steeped in history and charm. For hotels that offer a little bit extra, both Sopwell House and Birch Retreat offer a huge range of experiences and workshops alongside beautiful accommodation oozing contemporary luxury. For something uniquely different, the four-star Tewinbury Farm Hotel offers luxury farm stays with delicious farm-to-plate dining and a large range of accommodation options. What's more, foodies should check into the Cookery School for experiences ranging from baking, to foraging, all incorporating the freshest local ingredients.
The Grade II-Listed Pendley Manor is a stunning and sophisticated hideaway housed in a fascinating Tudor building that has been brought seamlessly into the 21st century with sumptuous accommodation, state of the art facilities and acres of breath-taking grounds. A seriously special touch of luxury and class!
At Aubrey Park near St. Albans the excellent service and comfortable rooms are accompanied by some wonderfully unique dining experiences such as fireside feasts and banqueting bowls. And in Berkhamsted, try The Penny Farthing – a cute hotel set back from the high street with gorgeous furnished rooms and a hearty breakfast to set you up for a day of exploring.
