Happy Tuesday, Hertford! ☀️

Well, that's the World Cup wrapped up - England came home with bronze after a genuinely mad 6-4 win over France (Saka with a hat-trick, no less), and Spain lifted the trophy on Sunday. Not the ending we dreamed of, but a first World Cup medal since '66 is still very much worth a pint down at the pub.

And with that, all eyes turn to summer holidays - officially underway for most of Hertford's schools now. Expect scooters on Fore Street, ice cream queues, and a town that's just that little bit lovelier and louder. This week we've got Ware's Old Town Live turning the Priory into a music festival, a musical wolf blowing the roof off Knebworth, and Courtyard Arts quietly turning 30.

👇 Here’s what we’ve got for you this week:

• What’s On

• Community Highlights

• Kiddies Scoop: Climbing Walls, Flower Workshops, Big Bad Wolf

• Eye Catching Deal: Hanbury Manor's 6 Weeks of Wellness

• Property Of The Week

• Weather

• Mind, Health & Fitness: Make Summer work for you

• Extra Sprinkles: Spanish inspired deliciousness

WHAT’S ON

🎭 ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

Guided Walk: Hidden Hertford
📅 Wed. 22 Jul | 10:15 📍 Hertford Museum
Discover the stories hiding in plain sight as you explore Hertford's back lanes and forgotten corners on this fascinating guided walk. Expect hidden history, local tales and plenty of surprises.
🎟 £7.50 | Info here

Ultimate Coldplay
📅 Sat. 25 Jul | 19:30-23:00 📍 Corn Exchange, Hertford
The UK's leading Coldplay tribute band brings all the biggest hits to Hertford, from Yellow to Fix You. Expect an energetic night packed with festival vibes and singalong anthems.
🎟 £17.50 advance | Book here

Folk and Bespoke Artisan Craft Fair
📅 Sat. 25 Jul 📍 Ware Drill Hall, Ware
Browse beautiful handmade gifts, crafts and local produce from talented makers while soaking up the atmosphere of Old Town Live.
🎟 FREE | More here

The Fizz
📅 Sun. 26 Jul | 19:00 📍 Corn Exchange, Hertford
Eurovision legends Cheryl Baker and Jay Aston bring The Fizz to Hertford for an evening packed with chart-topping hits, including Making Your Mind Up. A must for lovers of nostalgic pop.
🎟 Book here

🏰 COMMUNITY + FAMILY

Old Town Live
📅 Sat. 25 Jul | All day 📍 Ware Priory Grounds & Tudor Square
Ware's biggest music festival returns with live bands, DJs, street food, family entertainment and performances across multiple stages throughout the town.
🎟 More here

Summer Picnic Concert: Lip Service Brass Band
📅 Sun. 26 Jul 📍 Ware Priory
Pack a picnic and relax on the Priory lawns as Lip Service Brass Band performs a selection of crowd-pleasing classics in this free summer concert.
🎟 FREE | More here

Leafy Oak Quiz Night
📅 Tue. 28 Jul | Doors 18:00 | Food 19:00 📍 Leafy Oak Tearoom
Gather your smartest friends for Leafy Oak's first-ever quiz night! Enjoy a classic pie and mash supper while competing in teams of 2-6 for an evening of food, fun and friendly rivalry.
🎟 £15 pp | Call 07471 505061 to book | Here

Bingo Night at The Greyhound
📅 Wed. 29 Jul | 19:00-20:30 📍 The Greyhound, Bengeo
Eyes down for an evening of bingo, cash prizes and plenty of laughs. Grab your lucky dabber and see if you can shout "House!" first.
🎟 £5 entry | Email for enquiries.

🌱 HEALTH + WELLBEING

Matcha & Pilates Evening
📅 Fri. 24 Jul | 19:00-20:30 📍 Nu You Pilates, Foxholes Farm, Hertford
Unwind with an evening of Reformer Pilates, calming sound healing and a traditional matcha ceremony, hosted by Nu You Pilates and Pearl Milk Bar. A relaxing way to slow down, reconnect and support a great local fundraiser.
🎟 Book here

🍜 FOODIE

Microfest
📅 Sat. 25 Jul | 12:00-18:00 📍 Hertford Museum
This much-loved local mini beer festival returns with an afternoon of live performances in the beautiful museum grounds. A relaxed summer event with a great community feel.
🎟 More here

Field Supper with Ember
📅 Fri. 31 Jul 📍 Roots at Tewinbury
Enjoy a memorable open-air dining experience with Ember, serving seasonal dishes in Tewinbury's beautiful farm setting. Perfect for a long summer evening.
🎟 Book here

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

🎨 Courtyard Arts turns 30 this year - and they're marking it properly. From Monday, the centre's original Founders return as Artists in Residence, building a collaborative decorated screen celebrating three decades of creativity in Hertford. Pop in during opening hours to add your own ideas or just have a chat about the centre's history.

🏆 Whatever you thought of that semi-final, a bronze medal is still England's best World Cup finish since 1966 - and Hertford's pubs did their bit cheering it on. Nice work, Three Lions.

🍞 Quick shout for Thirteen Bakery's Kickstarter for their Hertford East expansion - still running if you fancy backing a local favourite.

KIDDIES SCOOP

The Big Bad Wolf Musical
📅 Sun. 26 Jul 📍 Knebworth House, Garden Theatre
The Plandits' lively rock 'n' roll retelling of The Big Bad Wolf promises laughs, music and plenty of family fun in Knebworth's open-air theatre. Recommended for ages 5+.
🎟 From £10.50 | More here

Kids Flower Workshop: Flower Teacup
📅 Mon. 27 Jul 📍 Tewinbury Farm
Little florists can create their own beautiful teacup flower arrangement to take home in this fun, hands-on workshop.
🎟 Info here

School Holiday Activity: Climbing Wall
📅 Wed. 29 Jul | 12:00-16:00 📍 Ware Priory
Challenge yourself on the climbing wall this summer holiday. No booking is needed - just turn up and have a go. Suitable for participants weighing 23 - 114kg.
🎟 More here

Kids Pottery Workshop: Ceramic Sweeties
📅 Wed. 29 Jul 📍 Tewinbury Farm
Kids can get creative making colourful ceramic sweet treats in this hands-on pottery workshop they'll be proud to take home.
🎟 Book here

🎉 Fifty Thrifty Adventures
Discover 50 free and low-cost family adventures across Hertfordshire this summer, from splash parks and museums to nature trails and hidden gems 👉🏼 here

🔥 EYE CATCHING DEAL

6 Weeks of Wellness at Hanbury Manor

Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel & Country Club has just launched its semi-annual 6 Weeks of Wellness offer - 6 weeks of full Leisure Club access for £200 per person.

That's the Technogym fitness centre, an immersive cycling studio, 30+ classes a week, plus the spa's pool, whirlpool, sauna and steam rooms to recover in.

With the summer holidays in full swing, this feels like a proper treat-yourself moment. Sign-up closes 30th August.

🎟 See the full offer here | Or call 01920 885 015

🏡 PROPERTY OF THE WEEK

Tucked away on one of Bengeo's most desirable roads, this beautifully renovated three-bedroom semi-detached home perfectly blends stylish modern living with family-friendly practicality. The standout feature is the stunning 27ft open-plan kitchen, dining and family room with a central island, roof lantern and bi-fold doors opening onto a landscaped garden, alongside a separate lounge and versatile home office or playroom.

Outside, you'll find a generous private driveway, a low-maintenance garden ideal for entertaining, and a detached garden studio that's perfect as a home office, gym or creative space. Just moments from excellent schools, Hertford's town centre and both train stations, this turnkey home offers the best of family living in a highly sought-after location. Check it out here

🌦 HERTFORD WEATHER: 21 - 27 JULY 2026

After last week's 30°C scorcher, things are easing into something more comfortably summery - partly sunny, mostly dry, with temperatures sitting in the low-to-mid 20s.

Looking like a genuinely lovely one for Old Town Live on Saturday - fingers crossed it holds.

✨ MIND, HEALTH + FITNESS

💼 Make Summer Work for You

With holidays in full swing, the office (or your inbox) might feel a little quieter than usual. While it's tempting to coast until September, this slower period can actually be one of the most productive times of the year.

Instead of simply ticking off day-to-day tasks, use the breathing space to get ahead before the busy autumn rush.

Here are three ways to make the most of it:

✅ Finish that project you've been putting off. Whether it's updating your website, clearing your admin backlog or finally launching that idea, now's the perfect time while interruptions are fewer.

✅ Work on your business, not just in it. Create systems, refresh processes, organise your files or write the guides you'll thank yourself for later. A little work now can save hours down the line.

✅ Reconnect with colleagues. If some of your team are still around, use the quieter weeks to brainstorm ideas, tackle bigger projects together or simply spend time collaborating - something that's often difficult when everyone's busy.

When September arrives and inboxes start overflowing again, you'll be glad you used the summer slowdown to get ahead.

🧁 EXTRA SPRINKLES

While Spain is having a moment, we thought it would only be appropriate to share this tasty Garlic Confit Pan con Tomate (served best with a chilled glass of Albariño) 👌

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