Join us as our experts offer fascinating insights into the early development of Hatfield House, Park and Gardens, and how the past informs the way we manage the Estate today.
Discover the development of Hatfield House in the first decade of the seventeenth century and how its architecture took shape, revealing the rich details of its interiors and furnishings. Explore the ways the House, Park and Gardens were designed to complement one another, and trace their development and inspiration, including links to Robert Cecil’s former estate at Theobalds, as well as how the Estate’s past continues to shape its management in the present day.
This event will also feature a one‑night‑only pop‑up exhibition showcasing items from the Hatfield House Library and Archives. This is a rare opportunity to view original 17th‑century maps, plans, and other documents illustrating the planning of Hatfield House, Park, and Gardens, providing a tangible link to the Estate’s early development.
Why Attend?
Hear all about the early development of Hatfield House, Park and Gardens from our panel of distinguished experts, in the stunning location of the Marble Hall.
Enjoy a one-night-only pop-up exhibition featuring items from the Hatfield House Library and Archives, which are very rarely available for public viewing.
A warm welcome awaits you with a Champagne reception in The Armoury.
This is a special, one night only occasion with limited tickets available.
Date and Schedule
Friday 24th July
6pm – Arrival, exhibition, and welcome Champagne reception in The Armoury
6:30pm – Lecture begins, followed by a Q&A session, with the event concluding at 9pm
Location
Hatfield House, Hatfield Park
Panel
Dr Emily Cole FSA IHBC
Dr Emily Cole has worked for over 25 years as an architectural historian with English Heritage and Historic England. Up until 2013, she was Head of the Blue Plaques Team in London and is now a Senior Architectural Investigator based in Cambridge. Emily’s specialist area is Elizabethan and Jacobean country-house state apartments and royal progresses. She has published widely on this and other subjects, including authoring an article on Theobalds, Lord Burghley’s Hertfordshire home, and co-authoring Apethorpe: The Story of an English Country House (2016). Emily is a Fellow and former Trustee of the Society of Antiquaries of London.
Kate Harwood
Kate Harwood is a researcher, writer, and speaker on historic gardens. After completing an MA in Garden History, she taught the subject at Birkbeck College and Cambridge University. She lectures on garden history across the country and has devised several courses on the subject. For the past 20 years, she has been the Conservation & Planning Officer for the Hertfordshire Gardens Trust, using her knowledge of the historic parks and gardens in the county and beyond to inform planners and others.
Andrew Turvey
Andrew Turvey has been Head of Park and Gardens at Hatfield Park since 2019. He originally joined the Estate in 2017 as Head Gardener, following roles with the Royal Horticultural Society and English Heritage. Andrew has 30 years’ experience in horticulture and landscape management, with a particular focus on heritage gardens and sustainable practices. He leads a team responsible for the care and development of Hatfield’s historic Park and Gardens, and plays a key role in supporting the Estate’s environmental and community initiatives.
Lord Charles Cecil
Lord Charles Cecil is a younger brother to the current Marquess of Salisbury. He grew up between Hatfield and the family Estate in Cranborne, Dorset, and now lives in Hatfield Park, where he and his wife enjoy gardening. His mother was a leading gardener of her generation, designing gardens in the UK, Ireland, France, Italy and the US, as well as at Hatfield and Cranborne. An authority on garden history, especially Elizabethan and Jacobean gardens, she was also an eminent plantswoman who generously shared her knowledge, which Charles and his wife have benefitted from. Charles read history at Oxford, worked in international finance, and continues to engage in various business activities.
Ticket Prices
£50 per person
Free entry is available for carers if accompanying the person they care for. ID will be required.
Limited tickets are available, so please book in advance to secure your place and avoid missing out
Disclaimer: All information was correct when the listing was prepared. Any questions about the event should be directed to the event organiser.