Hostels in Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire is a historic county in Southern England. Located within the London basin, this region is largely a wooded, green countryside, but now more urban due to its close proximity to London. It has a rich historical mix of culture from the Roman, Saxon and Norman settlements. Hertfordshire is filled with rambling country estates, cathedral cities and garden towns. You can enjoy the cultural beauty of red brick manors and Gothic courts amidst a forest backdrop. This region has a large number of direct road- and rail-links with London. There are quite a number of backpacker and youth hostels in Hertfordshire to accommodate the many people who visit here each day. The proximity to London makes Hertfordshire hostels a bit costlier in comparison to neighboring counties.

Make Hertford your base while visiting Hertfordshire. Hertford has many cycle routes and informative walks. You can cycle through the towpaths of the River Lea or along the disused railway line on Cole Green Way. New River is an artificial waterway that supplied London with fresh water and where you can enjoy a stroll during the evenings. You can catch a glimpse of wildlife and many species of birds at the Ball’s Wood in Hertford Heath. If you'd like to know more about the region, opt for a guided tour in the nature reserve of Panshanger Park. Explore the rich cultural heritage of Hertford on the Discover Hertford Historic Walk or visit the famous medieval Hertford Castle that is open to the public during the National Heritage Weekend.

There are several picnic spots within easy access from hostels in Hertforshire. One place to enjoy an amazing picnic is in Hoddesdon, where the medieval Rye House Gatehouse stands. You can climb the stairs to the viewing platform to see the barley twist chimneys of one of the first built brick houses in the country. The nearby Rye House Quay on River Lee Navigation is an ideal spot for a family picnic. St. Albans is a cathedral city in Hertfordshire which is called “a miniature Britain”. Explore the region's religious side with a visit to St. Albans, one of Britain’s foremost monasteries and one of the oldest places of Christian worship. St. Albans is also a vibrant city that offers bustling Sunday markets, music venues and amazing restaurants.

Be sure to visit Knebworth on your stay in Hertfordshire. Home to the Knebworth House, which is one of England’s famous stately homes, the beautiful 250-acre setting of green countryside will take your breath away. The Knebworth House is a red brick house of Tudor times with domes, gargoyles and turrets. During the summer season, Knebworth House is open to visitors and offers a variety of fun-filled activities as well as special events for families.

You can also visit the famous Henry Moore restored home and gardens in Much Hadham in Hertfordshire. The 70-acre grounds feature Moore’s house (called Hoglands), flower gardens, fields, studio and many of his monumental sculptures. The Sheep Field Barn and Aisled Barn galleries on the grounds should also be on your "to visit" list. Check out nearby hostels in Hertfordshire and make your reservations in advance so that you can enjoy everything this region has to offer without having to worry about accommodations.

Handwritten by local expert for Hertfordshire hostels Joy Barboza