Brocket Hall
Brocket Hall is a Grade I listed neoclassical country house situated in Brocket Park near Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England, constructed between 1746 and 1768 for Sir Matthew Lamb to designs by architect Sir James Paine on the site of earlier manor houses first recorded in 1239 as Watershyppes.[1][2] The estate passed through the Lamb family, serving as the seat for William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, who resided there as Prime Minister from 1834 to 1841, and later for Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston, who lived at the hall during his premierships from 1855 to 1858 and 1859 to 1865, dying there while in office.[1][1] During the Second World War, the property functioned as a Red Cross maternity hospital from 1939 to 1945, during which 8,338 babies were born.[1] In 1921, it was acquired by Charles Nall-Cain, 1st Baron Brocket, and since the late 20th century, the estate has been developed into a luxury hotel and golf resort, hosting events within its Grade II listed parkland while preserving its architectural heritage.[1][3]
Location and Physical Description
Geographical Position and Accessibility
Brocket Hall is located within the Brocket Hall Estate in Hertfordshire, England, approximately 22 miles north of central London.[4] The estate lies near the towns of Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City, with its main entrance postcode designated as AL8 7XG.[4] Its geographical coordinates are roughly 51.80° N latitude and 0.24° W longitude.[5] The estate is readily accessible by road, situated close to Junction 4 of the A1(M) motorway, facilitating convenient travel from London in about 45 minutes under normal conditions.[6] Rail access is available via Welwyn Garden City railway station, which is a 10-minute drive from the estate; frequent trains connect to London King's Cross in around 20-30 minutes.[4] For air travel, London Luton Airport, located 7 miles away, serves as the nearest major airport, with additional provisions for private jets and helicopter landings on site.[4][7]