Luxury holidays in Hertfordshire

When to go

Any time's a good time: this is England, where there are no weather guarantees, so you never know whether you're going to get a bright, sunny day or a picturesque sprinkling of snow. That said, late spring's bluebells and early Autumn's turning leaves can be a revelation. Just try to avoid travelling at peak commuter times if you're travelling by car.

Getting there

• Planes

  Hertfordshire's handiest take-off spot is London Luton Airport (www.london-luton.co.uk), which handles regular international flights to Europe and North Africa. London Heathrow (www.heathrowairport.com) is also pretty convenient and has international flights to and from almost every destination around the world.

• Trains

  There are plenty of national rail connections in Hertfordshire: Watford Junction station is served by various services from across and around London, as well as providing links to Birmingham on London Midland trains (www.londonmidland.com) and other cross-country destinations via Virgin Trains (www.virgintrains.co.uk). Stevenage and St Albans stations have rail links to the North and the Midlands respectively (www.nationalrail.co.uk).

• Automobiles

  A chunk of Hertfordshire falls within the M25, making it a relatively hassle-free drive from London's 'burbs and boundary counties; the A1 or M1 will take you up into its northern reaches. A car is handy for exploring Hertfordshire's stately homes and county parks.

• Taxis

  You won't be able to hail one – arrange minicabs through your hotel, or look for ranks outside train stations in bigger towns.