My door this week is from Hatfield House, not far from where I live. Hatfield House is the seat of the Marquess of Salisbury and, like most great houses in the UK, is partially open to the public. There are actually two houses on the site – The Old Palace of Hatfield and Hatfield House. The Old Palace was built in 1485 by the Bishop of Ely and was once home to Henry VIII. It was also the place where his daughter Elizabeth was held under house arrest by her sister Mary, and where she found out she was to ascend the throne. Hatfield House, built in 1611, is one of the finest Jacobean palaces in the country, and has been home to the same family for over 400 years.
I went to Hatfield House for afternoon tea, to celebrate a friend’s birthday. It was traditional in the British manner, with finger sandwiches and a selection of sweet cakes as well as, of course, tea. After we wandered the old stableyard, now home to boutiques and a restaurant. And I photographed this door, taken by the large creeper that had claimed it for its own, snaking up the side of the ancient bricks in a glorious tangle.
This door is part of Norm 2.0’s Thursday Doors Challenge. Head on over to his site and browse the other doors, or add one of your own 🙂
Helen Glynn Jones 
Wonderful story and image
Thanks, Miriam!
What a lovely door! My mum and dad have been there and said it’s very interesting 🙂
Thanks, Esther. It was a beautiful place, even though we only really saw the Old Palace and stable yard. I’d like to go back again and have a proper look around. (also, in summer time, as it was freezing that day!)
It certainly looks worth going round – and yes, wait til it’s sunny and warm!
Splendid picture, great story 😉 Have to visit Hertfordshire once!
Thanks, Geert! It’s a pretty interesting place 🙂
I have a chum who photographs doors also, but mostly doorknobs and doorknockers. She has photographed some lovely and ornate ones in a Europe. Ask her anything. About the doors, I watched the Tudor Farm series on Knowledge network and they showed the construction of a typical kitchen door. I understand after watching this series how these doors have lasted for hundreds of years.
Wow, that sounds interesting – there are some amazing door knockers out there as well – maybe that could be a Friday series? 🙂 And yes, I wonder if this door is even still in use – it’s extraordinary to think that it’s so old yet still in place.
I love it! That vine is incredible too! 🙂
Thank you! I think it might be wisteria, so it would be lovely in summer, all hung with purple blossoms. I might have to take a trip back and see if I can get another picture 🙂
Enchanting place to have tea! Right out of a fairy story!
It was lovely! We had a private room as well, up a spiral staircase with little mullioned windows – real fairy tale stuff 🙂 And the tea was very nice, too.
Wow, that vine is amazing!!
janet
Thanks Janet – it really caught my eye, which is why I ended up taking several pictures of it. The whole thing was so big I couldn’t get it in one shot!
Wow – I love that!
Thanks, Kerry! 🙂
Wow, what an amazing shot Helen. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a vine take over quite like that. Thanks for sharing this 🙂
Thanks Norm – I think that’s why I took the photo as well. The vine was enormous, tangled all over the side of the building – I think it’s wisteria, so it would be gorgeous when it flowered 🙂
That’s a great door. I love how the tree is twisted around in front of it.
Thanks Dan – I hope it’s a door that opens inward, otherwise it’s been a long time since its been used!
Even then, it’s a tricky exit.
🙂 Definitely!
Ahhh a door I’ve seen! Love Hatfield house im a regular there! Have u ever been to their Christmas fair? We went this year t was awesome
No, I’ve only been the once – will have to go again 🙂
We could take the kids 😁
We could! 🙂
Beautiful photos and interesting history. I love the vines, especially the one across the door 🙂
Thank you 🙂 They caught my eye as well – I love the way they were taking over the building.