By Kingfisher Visitor Guides
From Harry Potter to history, Roman remains to nature reserves, gorgeous gardens to Gothic manors – whatever takes your fancy, Hertfordshire has an abundance of inspiration for delightful family days out.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter
Studio Tour Dr, Leavesden, Watford WD25 7LR
The Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter, attracts millions of visitors a year, so make sure you book early. Get your wand at the ready and explore real sets from the Harry Potter film series alongside props, costumes and art that appeared in the extremely popular franchise. Make sure you try some Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans or a Chocolate Frog afterwards – you might even want to treat yourself to a frothy Butterbeer in the Backlot Café!
Verulamium Museum
St Michael’s St, St Albans AL3 4SW
The Verulamium Museum takes you through a view of everyday life in the Roman city of Verulamium on which St Albans now stands. You can see fascinating artefacts, a collection of mosaics and wall plasters and re-created Roman rooms. Spend time with family in the lovely Verulamium Park too, where the ruined Roman city walls and a 1,800-year-old hypocaust can still be seen.
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Knebworth House
Old Knebworth Ln, Stevenage SG1 2AX
Knebworth House has 250 acres of rolling landscape with ancient tree avenues to set off the fabulous Gothic manor. There’s also Edwardian gardens, a maze, and, for the youngsters and young at heart, an adventure playground and life-size dinosaur trail. Exhibitions, special tours and outdoor theatre are just some of the events taking place here so look out for them when planning your visit.
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Hatfield House
Great North Rd, Hatfield AL9 5HX
Hatfield House is a stunning country estate, which incorporates the Old Palace, the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth I. This impressive Jacobean mansion was built in 1611 by the first Earl of Salisbury. Enjoy a relaxing stroll in the gardens with the family and then a tour of the house or do some shopping, dining or perhaps a picnic in the park and a visit to the farm and playgrounds. Hatfield House also plays host to a number of special events such as outdoor theatre and cinema and concerts.
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Frogmore Paper Mill
Fourdrinier Way, Apsley, Hemel Hempstead HP3 9RY
Frogmore Paper Mill is must see attraction. It is the world’s oldest mechanised paper mill where you can still see paper being made. It also celebrates the huge contribution that paper has played in shaping the world in which we live today. You’ll find it at Apsley, the southern suburb of Hemel Hempstead.
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Gotha Garden at Pembroke Farm
Pembroke Farm, Slip end, Nr Ashwell, Hertfordshire, Baldock SG7 6SQ
The Gotha Garden at Pembroke Farm is located at Ashwell, half way between Baldock and Royston. This country house garden includes a wildlife walk and formal surprises. It was started in 1990, when it was created from an arable field. Today this stunning haven has a wildlife walk and plenty of formal surprises including a topiary garden, rose gardens (encompassing more than 150 rose specimens), a woodland garden and tea lawn with cottage garden beds in the style of Gertrude Jekyll.
Natural History Museum at Tring
The Walter Rothschild Building, Akeman St, Tring HP23 6AP
Dating back to 1889, the Natural History Museum at Tring was first established to house the private natural history collection of Walter Rothschild. Today this fascinating museum boasts a range of galleries with everything from a full-size gorilla to an extinct giant moa on display and is one of the largest private collections ever assembled. Visitors can enjoy an authentic Victorian atmosphere alongside modern facilities and services. There are more than 4,000 animals to see as well as two outdoor picnic areas, one close to the Museum building and the other a short walk away in Park Street.
Paradise Wildlife Park
White Stubbs Ln, Broxbourne EN10 7QA
Not only is Paradise Wildlife Park a fantastic day out for all of the family, you can learn a great deal too. The park is home to some of the world’s most exotic and endangered species including lions, tigers and snow leopards and you can get to know some of the 400 animals in the daily feed and talks. Discover how to spot the alpha male in the wolf pack, or how much it takes to feed a big cat! The reptile enclosure has a host of scaly, slippery residents but the farmyard offers a far cuddlier experience. There’s also a choice of three outdoor adventure play areas; one indoor soft play and one wheelchair play area and an open-air pool with a fountain and slide for the warmer days.
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Image credits: ©Chris Orange/Visit Herts; Frogmore Paper Mill; Hatfield House; Paradise Wildlife Park; Pembroke Farm Gardens; St Albans City & District Council; Mikes-Photography/Pixabay; Tom Kulczycki/Unsplash; Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London (2018). All rights reserved
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