Balls Park, Grade I listed country house in Hertford, England
Balls Park is a 17th-century mansion set within a sprawling park featuring formal gardens and historic outbuildings that complement the main house. The grounds display ornamental landscaping elements including shaped hedges and a distinctive water feature that remain central to the site's design.
Built in the mid-17th century for a prominent landowner, the house takes its name from a medieval Hertford figure from centuries earlier. Throughout the 20th century it passed through different uses before undergoing substantial restoration work.
The house served as a sanctuary for important artworks during World War II, storing significant collections when they needed protection from conflict. This role remains part of the place's identity in local memory.
The property now contains residential apartments within converted historic structures, so interior access is generally limited to exterior viewing. The grounds and garden features remain the main focus for visitors exploring the site and its design elements.
An early 18th-century wrought iron gate with ornate decorative capping adorns the western terrace area, showcasing skilled metalwork from that era. This feature is a detail many visitors overlook when exploring the grounds.
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