Castle grounds renewal project takes step forward

Bold plans to improve the grounds of Hertford Castle have taken a big step forward with the submission of a planning application to East Herts Council.

The Hertford Castle Greenspace Renewal is a collaborative project between Hertford Town Council, East Hertfordshire District Council, and in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council’s Countryside and Rights of Way Service (CMS).

The plans include:

• Conservation of the motte, curtain wall, icehouse and other historic features.
• Restoration of the River Lea’s riverbanks and improved wildlife habitats.
• A complete redesign and relocation of the children’s play area.
• Improved access through upgraded paths, bridges and step-free routes.
• Sensitive improvements to the Ashley Webb Shelter.
• New and improved seating across the site.
• Enhanced planting and biodiversity to support wildlife.
• New interpretation, signage and heritage information.

Two bridges will also be replaced and relocated. The narrow footbridge across the river at the north of the site will be removed and replaced with a new accessible bridge in the middle of the site. The bridge connecting to the St.Andrew Street car park will also be replaved and relocated a few metres to the east.

The play area will be moved from the west of the site away from the dual carriageway to the middle of the island next to the new bridge across the river. The new play area - named Ruins - will takes inspiration from the defining features of Hertford Castle's medieval form - the motte, keep, and bailey. Each part of the play area will interpret these historic components in a way that encourages movement, imagination, and engagement with the site's past.

The car park in front of the castle gatehouse will be relocated to the southwest corner of the site. This relocation is designed to enhance the setting of the Gatehouse, improving key views and restoring its visual prominence.

Previous plans for a walkway from the BEAM theatre and cinema around the motte in to the castle grounds appear to have been abandoned, with the new plans simply proposing improvements to the character and visibility of the motte with planting and the clearance of undergrowth, allowing it to become a more prominent feature of the landscape.

The Hertford Castle Greenspace Renewal is a collaborative project between Hertford Town Council, East Hertfordshire District Council, and in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council’s Countryside and Rights of Way Service (CMS). The project is being developed with consultant support from LUC and a team of specialist advisors.

Over the past year and a half, the project has undertaken extensive surveys, heritage and ecological assessments, community consultation and design development. This has shaped a sensitive and ambitious masterplan focused on heritage conservation, biodiversity enhancement, accessibility and community benefit.

A decision on £4m of funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund is expected next month (March 2026).