Knebworth hotels

Hotels in Knebworth

Set in the countryside of North Hertfordshire, Knebworth is an attractive village with a very famous neighbour. The splendour of Knebworth House and its many legendary festival performances have made this peaceful and ancient corner of the county internationally known.

History

A very long time before the world's great rock bands arrived, the old village of Knebworth began to develop. Indeed there is evidence of Neolithic settlement here. The original village, closer to Knebworth House, is now known as Old Knebworth and the current village was created in the 19th century, inspired by the building of the railway and better road links.

Knebworth House

Knebworth hotels are ideally placed when you want to explore one of England's greatest stately homes. An awe inspiring Gothic mansion just 29 miles north of London, Knebworth House was once the home of the Victorian novelist Edward Butler Lytton. The Lytton Family estate has been on this site since 1490, but it was transformed into the house you see today in the mid-19th century and has been refined and modified in various ways, most notably by Sir Edwin Lutyens who redesigned much of the interior.

When you visit you will be amazed by the abundance of turrets, domes and gargoyles that are so typical of the Victorian Gothic, but they don't tell the whole story. Closer examination reveals the red brick structure of the Tudor house that lies beneath, and in fact every generation of the Lytton family has expressed their sense of style and left a mark. It makes a visit to Knebworth House a tour through 500 years of history.

Outside you can walk in 28 acres of formal gardens that are a pleasure throughout the seasons. There are intriguing attractions such as the maze, a wilderness area and of course the Dinosaur Trail for younger visitors too.

The Festival

It all started with the Bucolic Frolic in 1974. Since then, the Knebworth Festival has grown into a thrilling and epic yearly event that attracts vast audiences. The list of performers who have walked out onto the stages here is a real who's who of rock music over the last four decades. The Park has heard it all and the event continues to smash attendance records on a regular basis.

Hatfield House

In fascinating contrast to the Victorian Gothic of Knebworth, Hatfield House is a Jacobean masterpiece built in 1611 by Robert Cecil, First Earl of Salisbury and Chief Minister to King James I. Sublime examples of Jacobean craftsmanship can be enjoyed throughout the house and each room is rich with paintings, furniture and tapestries. There are beautiful formal gardens and extensive grounds where you can enjoy walking, plus woodland trails that glow with bluebells and daffodils in the spring, when this distinguished property opens its doors to visitors.