Good morning, Hertford!

This week’s Scoop is serving up all the festive feels - from family-friendly fun and Christmas markets galore to sparkling wreath workshops, smooth Sunday jazz & Bublé vibes. Plus, we’ve rounded up the latest town news, top local deals & a cosy dose of wellbeing to help you glide into December feeling calm, connected and in the know.

✨Here’s the lineup this week 👇

• Things To Do - Events Listings

• Local Business & Town News

• Kiddies Scoop: Swim & Soft Play Fun

• This Week’s Top Deals: 40% off main meals, Spa & Golf deals

• Weather

• Mind, Health & Fitness: ‘Energy Vampires’ & how to deal

• Extra Sprinkles: (debs, I’ll bring the carrots 🙋‍♀️)

❤️ P.S. More than 1,000 locals have joined the Hertford Scoop community and it’s truly flattering 😊. Thank you. If you found something useful, please share it with others by sending them to our free signup page. Don’t forget to also follow us on Instagram: @hertfordscoop - and you won’t miss a thing. 

Let’s get stuck in!

🍦 The Hertford Scoop Team

But first, it’s finally time to officially kick off Christmas 2025 with Hertford’s much-loved Christmas Gala & Christmas Market Weekend! Plans sorted.

⏰ Opening Times: 
Fri. 28th Nov | 3.30pm - 8pm
Sat. 29th Nov | 11am - 6pm
Sun. 30th Nov | 11am - 5pm

Things To Do: Events Listings

🎭 Arts & Entertainment Events

• Jazz At Southern Maltings: Sam Chapman

  📅 Sun. 30th Nov. 3-5pm 📍 Southern Maltings, Ware

  Singer/Trumpeter Sam Chaplin brings his engaging style with the music of Ray Charles, Chet Baker & Nat King Cole along with his own songs. Sam brings a group which comprises some of the top players on the London jazz scene. Expect to be moved and very entertained.

  🎟 £14 p.p. - tickets HERE

• Live Music at The Coach House Kitchen

  📅 Fri. 5th Dec. 6:30-9pm 📍 Hatfied Park, AL9 5HX

  Enjoy an evening of live music with Mike All Bublé, a standout Michael Bublé tribute act bringing all the smooth vocals & swing. A must-see for any Michael Bublé fan!

  🎟 £10 p.p. - tickets HERE

• Christmas Wreath Making Workshops

  📅 Thurs. 4th, 7pm & Sun. 7th Dec. 10am / 2pm 📍 Hertford Castle

  A luxury 2-hour workshop with local florist, Sioned Rogers. Includes a glass of Prosecco, soft drinks & mince pies.

  🎟 £55 p.p. - tickets HERE

• Christmas Wreath Making

  📅 Fri. 5th Dec. 6:30-8:30pm 📍 Cucumber Fields, AL9 6JB

  Start the festive season in their cosy Pantry with this wonderful luxury wreath making workshop to get you into that Christmas spirit. Festive nibbles, Prosecco & non-alcoholic alternatives will be provided throughout.

  🎟 £70 p.p. - book HERE

• Hertford Quarter Christmas Party

  📅 Sat. 6th Dec. 7:30-11pm 📍 Corn Exchange, Hertford

  Expect a night filled with Christmas bangers, party classics & a fab atmosphere!

  🎟 More info & tickets HERE

🏰 Family & Community Events

• Candle-Lit Service For Advent

  📅 Sun. 30th Nov. 6:30-8pm 📍 St Andrew’s Church, Hertford

  Carols, readings & time to pause & reflect.

• The Mayor’s Christmas Carols At The Castle

  📅 Fri. 5th Dec. 5:30pm 📍Hertford Castle

  Led by the Hertford Choral Society. Join for refreshments in the Mayor’s Parlour.

  🎟 Donations welcome

• Festive Food Tasting Day @ Pearce’s Farm

  📅 Sat. 6th Dec. 10-4pm 📍 Pearce’s Farm Shop & Cafe

  Pop over to Pearce’s & try their delicious festive food before you stock up & get food prep ready! (You might even pick up a gift or two at the lovely shop!)

• Live Music: Chloe Ann

  📅 Sat. 6th Dec. 6-8pm 📍 Saracen’s Head

  Grab a mate, your drink & enjoy some live music at the Sarrie’s.

• Frost Fair & Festive Market

  📅 Sat. 6th Dec. 1:30-5:30pm 📍 Simon Balle All-through School

  A festive-family-fun-day! Food, gifts & more.

• Makers & Bakers Market

  📅 Sun. 7th Dec. 10-3pm 📍 BEAM

  Bursting with festive stalls over two floors exhibiting local produce & gifts from talented artisans.

  🎟 £1 donation at door welcome

• Dear Santa Live

  📅 12-14 Dec. 📍 BEAM

  From the author of the well-loved children's book Dear Zoo, Rod Campbell, comes Dear Santa - and it's LIVE! This show is an ideal introduction to theatre for those aged two and over.

  🎟 Tickets HERE

🌱 Health & Wellbeing Events

• Blossoming Women | Weekly Class

  📅 Tue. 25th Nov. 6:30pm 📍 The Mill House, Hertford

  Join Jody for a SOMA breathwork session designed to destress & leave you feeling invigorated.

  🎟 More info & bookings here

• Cosy Candle-Lit Restorative Yoga Workshop

  📅 Sat. 29th Nov. 4-6pm 📍 The Secret Space, Hertford

  A nourishing workshop focusing on calming the nervous system, to create deep relaxation & stress relief - ready for the Christmas period.

  🎟 £38 p.p. - tickets HERE

Local Business & Town News

• East Herts Council is supporting the global 16 Days of Activism campaign to end violence against women and girls, with a focus this year on tackling digital stalking & harassment. The campaign runs from 25 Nov-10 Dec, with local events including an awareness walk at Hartham Common on 5 Dec at 1pm. Everyone is welcome to join & participants are encouraged to wear orange. An information stand from the East Herts and Broxbourne Domestic Abuse Forum will also be available for advice and support.

• Hertford’s population has grown to an estimated 30,969 people, according to new ONS data for mid-2024 - a 5% increase since the 2021 Census. The town’s four areas are now estimated at: Bengeo (8,174), Castle (10,254), Kingsmead (6,088) and Sele (6,453).

• Christmas Trees at Panshanger Park - Come pick your perfect tree & enjoy the festive atmosphere! Delivery available if you need it, plus a lovely selection of handmade wreaths & decorative stands to make your home extra special. Open from 29 Nov - 24 Dec, daily from 10am-8pm.

• Sad Goodbye’s to Mr Tanaka’s - after 13 years of evolution - from a London street stall to a much-loved Hertford favourite - Mr Tanaka’s has announced it’s permanent closure, thanking loyal customers & staff for their support over the years. They’ll remain open until 20th Dec for anyone wishing to visit one last time.

Kiddies Scoop

• Christmas Activity Weekend @ Hartham Leisure Centre

  📅 Sat. 20th Dec. - Christmas Soft Play Party: Crafts, tunes & Christmassy chaos!

  📅 Sun. 21st Dec. - Festive Family Swims: Festive music & toys & family fun!
  🎟 Pop in to book or call 01992 584000

💥 This Week’s Top Deals

🍾 40% Off Main Meals at The Cowper Arms

There’s something special about a slow evening, good company, and a dish you love… especially at 40% off!

Enjoy this treat from to Thursday 27th November ✨ 

Download their exclusive ‘Premium Country Pub Collection’ app and sign up to receive your voucher!

Book via our website  ☎️ 01707 330202.

⛳️ 🧖🏽‍♀️ Black Friday Offers at Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel & Country Club

Whether treating yourself or gifting to friends & family, add a reminder to your calendar and shop these vouchers on Black Friday!

Full Day Spa access + 25min treatment + 2-course lunch @ £99

2 x Sessions in the Golf Simulator, incl. food & drinks @ R120 (value £240)

Available to book HERE from 27th Nov. T&C’s apply.

🌦 Hertford Weather: 25 Nov - 1 Dec 2025

A mostly cloudy week ahead with the occasional cheeky shower popping in to say hello. Temps hover on the cool side, briefly warming up mid-week before sliding back into classic late-November chill. Keep the layers handy & the umbrella closer! ☂️

✨ Mind, Health & Fitness

The Real Holiday Flex? Protecting Your Peace

As the festive season ramps up, work-life balance becomes less of a trophy and more of a daily juggling act. Between deadlines, family plans, and the pressure to “be on,” it’s easy to talk about switching off… and then check emails mid-mince pie.

A big culprit? Energy vampires - anything that drains you without giving much back. They can be people who leave you exhausted, endless notifications, guilt-driven tasks, or the mental loops that keep you replaying to-do lists instead of relaxing.

How to protect your energy this season:

• Set real boundaries (and stick to them).

• Turn off unnecessary notifications.

• Audit your calendar and cut what drains you.

• Say no early-and without guilt.

• Build in tech-free moments.

• Be fully present with whatever you’re doing.

• Limit time with chronic complainers and overstimulating spaces.

The holidays can be wonderful and overwhelming, but you don’t need permission to rest. Protecting your peace isn’t selfish - it’s how you actually enjoy the season. ✨

Start small this week: set one boundary, drop one drain, and claim one moment of real presence.

Extra Sprinkles

Save this one for some seriously show stopping carrots! 🤩 

🥕 Roast Carrots with Herby Yoghurt, Harissa & Pinenut Butter

That’s it! You’re up to date ✅ 

Consider this your cue to make the week memorable ✨

With ❤️ from your Hertford Insiders

👉 Got an event, story or feedback to share? Email hello(at)hertfordscoop.com - we’d love to hear from you.

NOTE: If anything is inaccurate, please contact us and we will rectify. Never want to hear from us again? Break our hearts and unsubscribe.