A total revamp of the children’s play area.
Some exciting changes are being planned for Hertford Castle's greenspaces, with nearly £350,000 being awarded to develop plans for nature conservation, heritage preservation and infrastructure improvements throughout the grounds.
Hertford Castle Greenspace Renewal (HCGR) has been made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, Hertford Town Council, East Herts District Council, and Hertfordshire County Council’s Countryside Management Service will collaborate to develop this exciting project.
About the Project
Hertford Castle and the surrounding greenspaces have been a prominent feature of the county town for hundreds of years, featuring stunning grounds, 12th Century curtain wall, Anglo-Saxon motte, and much more. HCGR aims to promote this rich history, improve access across the site, and increase biodiversity through a range of interventions.
Whilst plans are still being developed and are likely to change over the coming months, they may include:
Protecting and highlighting the site’s oldest features, like the motte and curtain wall.
Restoring the riverbanks of the River Lea through the site, creating a haven for aquatic wildlife.
Sitewide improvements to paths and bridges, making them more accessible to wheelchair users and people with pushchairs.
Modern signage and information boards, making the history of Hertford Castle easier to discover for visitors.
A wide program of activities, including wildlife workshops and health and wellbeing activities on the castle lawn itself.
Draft Masterplan
The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded the partnership nearly £350,000 to develop and cost the plans. Dedicated staff are working with with consultants, technical experts and the community to ensure the project meets the needs of the local people, community groups and businesses.
A draft masterplan of the capital works has been produced, showcasing our plans for the grounds during the delivery of the project. These plans include:
- Completely renovating the children’s play area, with the new play area including equipment for a wider range of ages and abilities.
- Site wide improvements to the pathways, making them wider and smoother in key areas.
- Improvements to the bridges on site including widening and removing steps.
- A range of planting for wildlife, including a new miniature forest and various hedge improvements.
- Restoring the riverbanks and preventing further erosion.
- Remodelling the Ashley Webb Shelter.
- Improved seating.
- Repairs to the historic curtain wall.
- Restoring the Victorian underground icehouse so that is can be accessible on open days.
- Planting to the Motte to prevent further erosion.
Please note that these plans are still being developed and are likely to change over the next 2 months.
Once planning is completed, HCGR will be eligible to apply for a further grant to deliver capital works and a full events program, with the partnership aiming to deliver the project between 2026 and 2028.
If you have any questions about the proposed changes, please do get in touch via castlegreenspace@hertford.gov.uk
About the Heritage Fund
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest funder for the UK’s heritage. Using money raised by National Lottery players we support projects that connect people and communities to heritage. Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. From historic buildings, our industrial legacy and the natural environment, to collections, traditions, stories and more. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.
