Hertfordshire Tourist Information

Hertfordshire is one of the smallest Counties in England, containing much of England's heritage, whilst encompassing the requirements of south east England today.

Hertfordshire lies between Bedfordshire in the north, Cambridgeshire in the north-east, Buckinghamshire in the west, Essex in the east and central London only twelve miles to the south.

The county covers approximately 630 square miles. Hertfordshire Tourist Information centres offer visitors information, help and advice from their centres around the County.

Away from the main roads many old villages remain unspoiled with thatched cottages and leafy lanes. Walkers will enjoy the Hertfordshire Way, a 166 mile (265 km) circular footpath and there are also designated cycle paths, and canals, rivers and lakes, which provide opportunities for water sports such as sailing and canoeing.

Hertfordshire Tourist Information can be found in the County Town of Hertford, which lies at the confluence of the Rivers Beane, Lee, Mimram and Rib. The Lee Navigation Canal runs south from Hertford and barges can be hired for cruises.

Hertford has many fine buildings with decorated plasterwork - the Shire Hall in the middle of the town was designed by Robert Adam. The Norman castle was built to protect London from the invading Danes, and the remains are a feature of the town today.

The ancient city of St. Albans offers Hertfordshire Tourist Information at the Town Hall in the Market Place. With an ancient history to discover and all the amenities of an up to date city, with many specialist shops and good leisure facilities St. Albans has plenty to keep visitors happy. A particular feature is the magnificent Cathedral found in the old part of the city.

Hertfordshire Tourist Information centres can be found in the following historic towns in the County, all worth visiting and each with its own history to explore: Baldock, Birkhampstead, Bishop's Stortford, Harpenden, Hatfield, Hitchin, Hoddesdon and Tring.

Letchworth was the world's first Garden City, planned by Ebenezer Howard in 1903, and this was followed in 1920 by Howard's second development Welwyn Garden City, one of England's finest examples of a new town, with a neo-Georgian town centre, offering excellent shopping facilities. Hertfordshire Tourist Information is available in both towns.

During the 1940s and 50s, new towns were developed around existing old towns, such as the Saxon town of Hatfield, home of Hatfield House. Stevenage was designated the first New Town in Britain in 1946 and had the first pedestrianised traffic free shopping area in the country. The Old Town still exists with historic buildings, coaching inns and pubs.

Borehamwood and Elstree are separated by about a mile, two separate towns, but thought of as one, in connection with the British film industry. Elstree Film and Television Studios has been synonymous with film making for the best part of the last century. Some of the world's best known films and programmes were made at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood. Hertfordshire Tourist Information based at Borehanwood Civic Centre, will be pleased to help with enquiries.