Hertford East railway station was designed by WN Ashbee and opened by the Great Eastern Railway in 1888; it is one of two stations in Hertford, a historic market town. Hertford’s grade I listed castle stands which was a Royal Palace for 300 years is located in attractive gardens on the site of a Norman castle - the mound and the remains of the 12th century flint/stone curtain walls can still be seen. Largely a conservation area, the town centre has many Georgian shop-fronts, delightful old pubs and is well known as an antiques centre.