Things to do in Hertfordshire, events & lifestyle

Numbers of common toad have reduced by 70 per cent in the past 30 years, photo credit: espy3008/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Out & About

5 great walks near the River Lea

Tue, 08:30

River Lea at Wheathampstead by Peter O'Connor (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0) via https://flic.kr/p/vUvnae

A selection of walks in Hertfordhire's Lea Valley

Celebrating 100 years of Welwyn Garden City

Mon, 00:00 Kate Adam

Howardsgate gardens in the heart of town (c) Rolf Richardson/Alamy Stock Photo

A year of celebrations is planned as remarkable Welwyn Garden City marks its centenary

Exploring E A Bowles' garden at Myddelton House

Thursday, February 13, 2020 Philippa Pearson

Created by one of the most influential botanists of the 20th century, E A Bowles' garden at Myddelton House continues to grow

Eileen Soper - a look at the work of Enid Blyton's illustrator

Wednesday, February 12, 2020 Words: Mike Clark  Photos & artwork: Chris Beetles Gallery on behalf of the Artist’s General Benevolent Institution

Badger sett near Wildings - courtesy of the Chris Beetles Gallery on behalf of the AGBI

Thirty years after her death, the little-known yet fascinating Hertfordshire wildlife diaries of Enid Blyton illustrator Eileen Soper are being collated into a book

Win WIN £500 holiday voucher and a gin gift set!

Friday, February 7, 2020

We've teamed up with Island Cottage Holidays and Isle of Wight Distillery to offer one lucky winner the chance to win £500 of holiday vouchers and a gin set

Try the new craze of 'forest bathing' therapy in Hertfordshire

Tuesday, January 7, 2020 Photos: Taryn Paterson

The benefits of getting out in the fresh air are well-known, but a new take on it, forest therapy, is growing in popularity as a way to unwind and improve health. We asked Herts-based forest therapy guide Sam Wright to explain

January 2019

Homes & Gardens

Tobias Oliver Interiors: Major interior design studio launched in Berkhamsted

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Interior designer Tobias Trigg has transformed a former solicitor's office into a beautiful showroom

Hertfordshire home: Pretty converted watermill in Westmill

Monday, August 19, 2019 Words: Pat Bramley

The river Rib has been at the heart of the property for 1,000 years (photo: Savills)

Once owned by a bodyguard to Edward the Confessor, and a hideout during the Profumo affair, The Mill in Westmill is a home with a long and intriguing history

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Thursday, August 1, 2019

Our property, homes and gardens newsletter will provide inspiration and advice for your home and garden, plus all the latest property news in your area

Hertfordshire home: A pretty converted power station near Ware

Tuesday, July 16, 2019 Words: Pat Bramley. Photos: The Modern House

The old barns have been converted into a showpiece kitchen and dining room (photo: The Modern House)

With a baby imminent, a couple with a vision took on a former power station near Ware and set about realising its potential as a family home

Beautiful riverside cottage garden in Wheathampstead

Tuesday, June 4, 2019 Words: Philippa Pearson. Photos: Jonathan Hilder

There's plenty of seating in the garden to enjoy the river and the wildlife (photo: Piers Photography)

With exotic inspiration from her travels mixed with cottage garden plants and natural areas, Sally Trendell has created a magical riverside garden at her home near Wheathampstead

Restaurant review - The Tilbury Datchworth

Wednesday, February 12, 2020 Words: Richard Cawthorne - Photos: Brian Arnopp

Nut roast with Jerusalem artichoke terrine, mulled wine and beetroot sauce

The Datchworth restaurant continues to surprise thanks to a dedication to invention and an award-winning wine menu

Interview: Ian Chapman, head chef at Centurion Club

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

You'll find fantastic food at the Centurion Club

The man behind the restaurant at the Hemel Hempstead golf club chatted to us about local suppliers, innovative sorbets and his culinary inspiration

Ad Feature Kite at the Red Hart, Hitchin

Monday, January 27, 2020

Kite at The Red Hart is a vibrant free house in Hitchin town centre led by a contemporary restaurant, thriving bar and a packed events calendar.

Restaurant Review: St Villa

Monday, January 13, 2020 Words: Richard Cawthorne, Photos: Brian Arnopp

Fresh Burrata, a delicate cheese from Puglia served with grilled figs

There are 'igloos' outside, and inside is a two-level restaurant and bar with monochrome design. It's dining with a difference in St Albans

Ad Feature Dining at Centurion Club, Hemel

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Dining at Centurion Club is a warm, welcoming, elegant setting to enjoy seasonal British flavours.

Ad Feature Education open days in Hertfordshire

Thursday, February 13, 2020

monkeybusinessimages/Getty Images/iStockphoto

The county's top schools open their doors to you this Spring

10 historical figures born in Hertfordshire

Wednesday, February 12, 2020 Stephen Roberts

Monument to Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, three time prime minister, in front of the gates of Hatfield House (c) Cmglee/Creative Commons/Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

Meet 10 Herts men and women, some well known and others less so, who helped mould their times and left a lasting legacy

We meet the St Albans family who are volunteering around the world

Tuesday, February 11, 2020 Words: Gillian Thornton, Photos: Karen & Warren Binedell

The children have learnt many new skills on their journey

Ever dreamed of upping sticks and heading off on an adventure? Meet the St Albans family of five (and two cats) on an ongoing volunteering trip around Europe in a caravan

The Berkhamsted artist who is using painting as therapy

Monday, February 10, 2020 Words: Sandra Smith

25 years ago Berkhamsted's Frances Thomas was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, resulting in a journey into art that is both therapy and expression

Hertfordshire in photos: February

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Ashridge Estate, David Francis, Bishop's Stortford

We love seeing our readers' photos of Hertfordshire - the below were featured in our February magazine, and we think they capture our county in all its winter glory

Eileen Soper - a look at the work of Enid Blyton's illustrator

Wednesday, February 12, 2020 Words: Mike Clark  Photos & artwork: Chris Beetles Gallery on behalf of the Artist’s General Benevolent Institution

Thirty years after her death, the little-known yet fascinating Hertfordshire wildlife diaries of Enid Blyton illustrator Eileen Soper are being collated into a book

Ad Feature Adult painting classes in Hertfordshire: Val Cansick Studio

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Whether you're new to sketching and painting or you're looking to hone a new skill, Val Cansick Studio tells us why joining an art class could be the perfect option