Just outside of London is the busy and fun-filled county of Hertfordshire. Part of Greater London, Hertfordshire has plenty going on and is a fantastic place to visit if you want the excitement of London, without the crowds and prices. If you’re travelling with the kids there’s more than enough activities and attractions to keep them entertained too. Keep reading to discover my top places to visit while in Hertfordshire with the family.
Paradise Wildlife Park
Paradise Wildlife Park, in Broxbourne, is the county’s best zoo and makes for the perfect day out with the family. Here, you can feed the tigers and lions, meet the meerkats and get up close with the monkeys and reptiles. If you have any dinosaur fanatics in your family, they’ve now opened their World of Dinosaur attraction too, where you can meet life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, set in acres of natural woodland. It makes for an epic day out the whole family will enjoy.
Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studios
For any Harry Potter fans, the Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studio Tour is a must. Here, you can step into Harry’s shoes and see how they filmed this magical franchise. You’ll be able to tour through the breathtaking sets, explore the collection of crafted props, check out the cast members’ costumes and even step into the forbidden forest. There’s several places to grab a bite to eat and you can fulfil your childhood dreams by trying J.K. Rowling’s delicious butterbeer concoction. Grab your tickets today and enjoy a world of magic and possibilities.
The Rex Cinema
Step back in time to a world of class and sophistication. The Rex Cinema shows films in the way they were intended to be seen. Its huge screen is set in a 1930’s art-deco proscenium with clear picture and sound. The seating is luxurious and soft, so much so in fact, you’ll never want to leave. You’ll have the option of sitting in theatre seats or sitting around tables on the ground floor. You can order drinks, snacks and cheese platters at the bar and then be ushered to your seat, just like in days of old. Don’t worry though, they still play the newest Hollywood films for you to enjoy.
Ashridge Estate
This National Trust site consists of 5,000 acres of woodland, chalk downlands and lush meadows. It’s a great way to get the kids outside and enjoying the natural beauty of Hertfordshire. There’s lots to see on your walk through the Ashridge Estate including plenty of wildlife like deer, muntjacs, foxes, badgers and squirrels. If you’re getting hungry, there’s a small café for grabbing some lunch, or why not pack a picnic and eat it among the beautiful bluebells?
Willows Activity Farm
Willows Activity Farm is a wholesome day out the entire family will enjoy. It’s especially good if you’ve got little ones under the age of five. At Willows Activity Farm, you can go on inflatables, funfair rides, tractor rides and visit the Peter Rabbit Adventure Playground. The daily live shows mean that kids can meet their favourite Peter Rabbit characters up close. There’s also farm animals that little ones can help feed.
With so much to see and do in Hertfordshire you’ll be spoilt for choice every single day of a holiday. Hopefully after this list, you’ll have a good idea of which places you want to put on your bucket list. Have you visited any of these top five spots? Let me know in the comments below.
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.