Hertford Castle Teddy Bears Picnic

Hertford Town Council warmly welcome friends and families to attend the annual Teddy Bears’ Picnic. 

Pack your picnic basket and bring along your favourite teddy for a day of fun and adventure at Hertford Castle, including a bear hunt inside the castle, entertainment and activities around the Castle grounds, plus take part in the annual Teddy Bears' Parade, lead and judged by the Mayor of Hertford. Prizes will be awarded to the 'Best Dressed' teddy. PLUS! NEW for 2024 is the Teddy Bear Zipline! An exciting experience for thrill seeking teddies! 

A live brass band concert will perform throughout the day, Hertford Canoe Club will be running water activities on the River Lea and Hertford Castle will be open for the public to explore.

Click below for the full programme:

Day Programme 

Event Sponsors

For sponsorship opportunities please click here.

Event Information 

Location 

Hertford Castle, Castle Street, SG14 1HR

Entry information 

The event is FREE of charge to attend, you are however welcome to donate to the Mayor of Hertford’s Charity Appeal Fund, which this year is supporting Mudlarks and Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust. 

The Castle grounds can be accessed by foot at any of the following pedestrian gates: Castle Street, St Andrew Street Car Park, Main Castle Gate off The Wash or through the Moat Garden on Castle Street.

Travelling to the Event

Hertford Town Council declared a Climate Emergency in July 2023 and has committed to taking action to protect human health and our natural world to the maximum extent its powers allow. We therefore encourage people to come to our events by public or active transport. The two Hertford railway stations, Hertford North and Hertford East, are a short walk from the Castle, and bus services are available to the Wash and Hertford bus station. Please visit National Rail for live train times and Intalink for bus routes.

Parking

There is no parking at Hertford Castle (including disabled) but there are a number of car parks close to the Castle. Please click here to download a map of the local car parks. 

Amenities 

Toilets are located to the side of the main lawn on the footpath by the Ashley Webb Shelter. 

Disabled toilets & baby changing facilities are available inside the castle, please speak to a volunteer on the door for access. 

First aid will be provided by St John's Ambulance and will be located by the Ashley Webb shelter.

Dogs are welcome, however they must be kept on a lead at all times and we kindly ask that dog waste is picked up and put in the bins provided.