Site of Royal Palace

The ground beneath your feet in this corner of Hertfordshire once hosted Tudor royalty. All that remains of the Royal Palace now is the archaeological site - a stretch of land near Waltham Cross where excavations have revealed the footprints of what was once a significant royal residence. You won't find a reconstructed palace or a visitor centre here; it's more about understanding what stood on this very spot centuries ago.

What you're looking at are the buried foundations and scattered remains that archaeologists have carefully mapped out. It requires a bit of imagination to picture the grandeur that once was, but that's rather the appeal. History enthusiasts and anyone interested in Tudor England will find it absorbing, though families with young children might struggle without on-site interpretation boards or guided tours.

The site works well as part of a broader exploration of the Lee Valley area. If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Theobalds Park is barely a mile away, or push to Lee Valley Camping and Caravan Park at Edmonton - you can combine this with walks along the valley itself. The location gives you quick access to woodland and riverside paths, which soften what might otherwise feel like a rather bare archaeological visit.

Access and opening hours aren't always clearly signposted, so it's worth checking locally in Waltham Cross before making the trip. The site rewards those willing to do a bit of detective work, but it's not dramatic enough to justify a special journey if you're short on time.