Hertford Museum
Hertford Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The museum offers displays on two floors, charting the history of the museum and its early collections on the ground floor to the history of Hertford on the first floor. There are things to touch and play with as well as listening posts where you can hear people tell their own stories. The temporary exhibition gallery offers a programme of changing exhibitions throughout the year and the Jacobean style knot garden provides a tranquil retreat from the busy town centre. The museum shop specialises in a wide range of beautiful greeting cards, fossils and minerals, ethically sourced gifts and a vast array of in house publications covering a wealth of local history topics. The museum delivers a busy programme of events and activities for all ages throughout the year and runs a busy learning service for schools. Lifts allow access to all public areas and magnifiers are available for the visually impaired. Gender neutral accessible toilets and family toilet with baby changing facility.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
88 reviews
Excellent
43
Very good
38
Average
7
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Acornise
412 contributions
Oct 2022
Lovely museum that I had walked past for years and never went in.
Its got lots of interesting local stuff in there and friendly staff who are happy to talk.
Lots of nostalgic stuff in there too.
Its got lots of interesting local stuff in there and friendly staff who are happy to talk.
Lots of nostalgic stuff in there too.
Written February 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MargaretE785
Hertford, UK7 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
Fabulous local treasure. A wide range of objects, some very quirky, mostly with local provenance. The Garden is particularly lovely. There is always a friendly welcome at the museum which is well worth a visit.
Written September 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ann H
Christchurch, New Zealand21 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
We visited with my cousin who had not been there before as they have not moved there. We found the history interesting.
Written August 29, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anna T
5 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
We love Hertford museum and visit often. My children love the binoculars and buckets, toys etc they take around the museum. There is always a nice selection of books and activities for children in the temporary displays plus the shop on the first floor is always a must. Lovely activities for children in the holidays and we go to toddler Tuesdays too once a month - lovely to play with some good quality wooden toys and read some lovely stories!
Written July 26, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LongWeekender35
Hertfordshire68 contributions
May 2014 • Friends
Interesting little museum, beautifully kept and ityems well labelled.
We were just 2 adults on a rainy afternoon waiting to go somewhere else, It kept us happy for most of an hour. I am sure children would enjoy it as well.
We were just 2 adults on a rainy afternoon waiting to go somewhere else, It kept us happy for most of an hour. I am sure children would enjoy it as well.
Written May 10, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Clare S
St. Albans, UK27 contributions
Jan 2014 • Family
Visited on a wet Sunday afternoon. It's free to get in, and when we visited they had a craft activity too. They have buckets to fill with magnifying glasses and torches to look around the museum with, with a list of things to look out for. The museum itself is small with lots of fairly recent stuff upstairs (to make parents feel even older), lots to interest our 3 and 5 year olds. Star attraction is the play shop with till and play - complete with aprons, shopping bags, money.... Outside is very pretty (even in the rain!) near the river, and there are plenty of cafes - we went to Langleys (cash only) which was perfect for everyone.
Written January 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rod Kerr R
Ware, UK256 contributions
Nov 2013 • Solo
A lovely little museum. Staff are so friendly and attentive. There is always something going on. Entrance is free.
You can even book a walk around town and learn some history.
First class
You can even book a walk around town and learn some history.
First class
Written November 25, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tasha D
Nazeing, UK62 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
It is free to enter with a recommended donation of £2. It has some weird and wonderful bits however does not really offer a history of Hertford as I was expecting - so a let down.
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LynneManchester
Stalybridge, UK256 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
Although the museum is small, entrance is free and there are some really interesting and out of the ordinary collections in there. It's well worth a visit.
Written October 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark_Banks25
London, UK81 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
Hertford is a place that is recommended to everyone who wishes to have a great day out relaxed and welcoming. During our visit today, we found this museum whilst on route to the very reasonably priced car park. Going inside, we were greeted by a lovely lady, who had injured her arm previously, to greet us with a warm smile and welcoming attitude.
My three children can be loud at times but this lady did not judge or look down at us. She looked at them as welcoming guests to the museum and a valued visitor. My son Christopher has a condition known as ADHD, which can make him hyper, loud, mood swings and sometimes hard to predict. The lady at the desk did not see this a problem and continued to entertain them with the options available.
The children had the chance to take a mystery bucket or a clipboard where they can look for clues or even both. This was free as the children chose the buckets with the animal teddy bears and discovery kit. We started our tour into the first room to discover animals and an interesting x-ray of a mummified animal (I believe it to be).
The information shown here was certainly fascinating as the children started to name the animals shown. My lovely children were learning as they continue upstairs into the garden. The garden has been well preserved and looked after as my children searched for bugs or anything that was a mystery. As we sat down to watch them, you would admire the view that this garden was offering, giving you a relaxing atmosphere and no pressure to leave.
Going back indoors, we had, unfortunately, came on the wrong day to attend the activity centre, which was closed. This did not stop the fun as we ventured back into the room to discover there was an upstairs to the museum. As you enter this room, you get greeted by the old fashion items that were once used and no longer now. There was an old fashion phone, which I fixed (screw was loose) for the children to use.
There was a book next to the phone that would show you the faces of the people who helped towards the great name Hertford. With a brief description, there was would be a number to dial. Using the old fashion phone, you simply dial the number shown and listen to this person speak to you about the past. My two boys had loved every moment of this as they explained to me about the stories they were told on this phone.
There were many items showing you the past on the wall near this, dating back many years. With items on show, you can imagine the times when Hertford was a different place and what life must have been like during these times. Continuing the tour, you would see more old items and areas of the days gone for Hertford.
For me personally, being a train fan, I found the stories of the gentlemen that worked on the trains to be fascinating. Again, using a phone and pushing the button, I listened to one gentleman explain about a time when they drank the odd beer but never got drunk. The reason being was the heat of the train and the workload would make you sweat the drink out. The sound of these men was of pride, excitement and happiness to do a job they loved, wow what a feeling.
To my amazement, the museum had a hidden joy just around the corner. I could hear my children laughing very loudly and have a great deal of fun. I was so pleased to see that the museum had set up an old fashion shop for the children to role play. Excellent!! My daughter was charging my sons £100 for some cheese...hehehe, which was such a joy to watch. They loved every moment of this as they believed they were getting the very best deals.
This part of the room also shows you the medals of the war hero's and the old items once made. There are many items on show and the feeling within the museum is warm and welcoming. There is also another area to view on the left-hand side of the entrance showing you some excellent information about the history. I will certainly make another visit to this location, which I must add is free. If you want a place where you can relax, read, learn and allow your children to be creative, then this is the place for you.
You can also buy many items from the small gift shop that offers you the view of the history of Hertford. I personally got the three DVD's showing the history and some items that my children will enjoy. I would like to thank the council and the staff for such a wonderful place to visit.
My three children can be loud at times but this lady did not judge or look down at us. She looked at them as welcoming guests to the museum and a valued visitor. My son Christopher has a condition known as ADHD, which can make him hyper, loud, mood swings and sometimes hard to predict. The lady at the desk did not see this a problem and continued to entertain them with the options available.
The children had the chance to take a mystery bucket or a clipboard where they can look for clues or even both. This was free as the children chose the buckets with the animal teddy bears and discovery kit. We started our tour into the first room to discover animals and an interesting x-ray of a mummified animal (I believe it to be).
The information shown here was certainly fascinating as the children started to name the animals shown. My lovely children were learning as they continue upstairs into the garden. The garden has been well preserved and looked after as my children searched for bugs or anything that was a mystery. As we sat down to watch them, you would admire the view that this garden was offering, giving you a relaxing atmosphere and no pressure to leave.
Going back indoors, we had, unfortunately, came on the wrong day to attend the activity centre, which was closed. This did not stop the fun as we ventured back into the room to discover there was an upstairs to the museum. As you enter this room, you get greeted by the old fashion items that were once used and no longer now. There was an old fashion phone, which I fixed (screw was loose) for the children to use.
There was a book next to the phone that would show you the faces of the people who helped towards the great name Hertford. With a brief description, there was would be a number to dial. Using the old fashion phone, you simply dial the number shown and listen to this person speak to you about the past. My two boys had loved every moment of this as they explained to me about the stories they were told on this phone.
There were many items showing you the past on the wall near this, dating back many years. With items on show, you can imagine the times when Hertford was a different place and what life must have been like during these times. Continuing the tour, you would see more old items and areas of the days gone for Hertford.
For me personally, being a train fan, I found the stories of the gentlemen that worked on the trains to be fascinating. Again, using a phone and pushing the button, I listened to one gentleman explain about a time when they drank the odd beer but never got drunk. The reason being was the heat of the train and the workload would make you sweat the drink out. The sound of these men was of pride, excitement and happiness to do a job they loved, wow what a feeling.
To my amazement, the museum had a hidden joy just around the corner. I could hear my children laughing very loudly and have a great deal of fun. I was so pleased to see that the museum had set up an old fashion shop for the children to role play. Excellent!! My daughter was charging my sons £100 for some cheese...hehehe, which was such a joy to watch. They loved every moment of this as they believed they were getting the very best deals.
This part of the room also shows you the medals of the war hero's and the old items once made. There are many items on show and the feeling within the museum is warm and welcoming. There is also another area to view on the left-hand side of the entrance showing you some excellent information about the history. I will certainly make another visit to this location, which I must add is free. If you want a place where you can relax, read, learn and allow your children to be creative, then this is the place for you.
You can also buy many items from the small gift shop that offers you the view of the history of Hertford. I personally got the three DVD's showing the history and some items that my children will enjoy. I would like to thank the council and the staff for such a wonderful place to visit.
Written April 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingHertford Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Hertford Museum
- Hertford Museum is open:
- Tue - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Hertford Museum:
- (0.07 mi) Salisbury Arms Hotel
- (0.10 mi) Cinnabar Hertford Hotel
- (0.07 mi) Hertford House
- (0.12 mi) Dog and Whistle Pub
- (0.26 mi) Number One Port Hill
- Restaurants near Hertford Museum:
- (0.00 mi) The Hertford Club
- (0.01 mi) Hertford Cafe
- (0.01 mi) Hertford Coffee Lab
- (0.03 mi) Greggs
- (0.03 mi) Bebo
Hertford Museum Information
Excellent Reviews | 43 |
|---|---|
Very Good Reviews | 38 |
Hertford Museum Photos | 17 |