The Herts Big Weekend is back! Hertfordshire residents, this is your chance to discover what’s right here on your doorstep. We thought we’d share some of our favourites for family friendly days out.
Willows Activity Farm
Pigs, donkeys, tractor rides, and Peter Rabbit Theatre, Willows Activity Farm is the perfect day out for little ones. Meet plenty of farmyard animals, greet giant rabbits cows and sheep, enjoy fun fair rides, panning for gold and let little ones get hands-on with Pat-a-Pet. With so many outdoor and indoor adventures, play parks and rides to discover, we can guarantee you’ll need a full day to see everything there is to see.
De Havilland Aircraft Museum
The de Havilland Aircraft Museum holds an important collection of jet aircraft from WW2 to modern day civilian. A visit here is the perfect way to bring history to life, with the chance to step back in time and learn about the importance of de Havilland and how it shaped aircraft for wartime and civilian life.
Treasure Map Trails
Little explorers will LOVE this one. Pick up one of the fantasy themed treasure maps of your choice and explore a new town in a brand new way. Suitable for kids aged 5-12, each illustrated map encourages them to seek out historic landmarks and treasures, secretly introducing them to local history for a day of sightseeing and adventures.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter
This magical day out will lead you behind the scenes of the most successful film series of all time, from props and costumes to the incredible sets and artistry that went into making the wizarding world. Wander Diagon Alley, step aboard the Hogwarts Express and explore the secrets of the Forbidden Forest in this unforgettable experience for the whole family.
Mill Green Museum
This 18th century restored watermill on the River Lea makes for a fab family fun day, with the chance to the see an actual watermill in action, learn about the ancient craft of milling and even meet the friendly miller. You’ll have the chance to learn all about the history and culture of the area, with tools, toys, furniture and clothing through the years all on display in the museum. After a morning of learning, we recommend sitting out in the gardens and soaking up the sounds of the River Lea and that early spring sunshine (we hope).
St Albans Cathedral
One for teens, take a step up and climb the 211 (yes, 211 exactly) steps to the top of St Albans Cathedral’s spectacular Norman Tower, the only tower left in the country from the 1000s. On the way up, spot Roman bricks, see the tower’s painted ceiling, medieval coats of arms and maybe even hear the cathedral’s 13 new bells and eight old bells. The views from the top of the tower are simply breath-taking, so you and your teen can grab photos and maybe even spy as far as the tallest London buildings.
Celtic Harmony Camp
This fun-packed morning will get the whole family involved, with a conservation workshop held at a place like no other. Surrounded by thatched roundhouses and native woodland, you and the family will feel like you’ve stepped back to ancient Britain. Learn the traditions of life, get stuck in and even experience a special Celtic activity with the prehistory experts!
Knebworth House, Gardens & Park
Discover the home of the Lytton Family, their personal stories, heirlooms and peek behind the scenes at what life was like through the ages. The 28-acre gardens are perfect for letting off steam, with a maze, rose gardens, Wilderness Gardens and even, and this really will surprise the kids, 71 life sized dinosaurs hiding amongst the shrubs. Discover the adventure playground, whizz down the zipwire and have a full on fun-packed day away from the screens.
Hertfordshire Zoo
It’s been voted No.1 Outdoor Attraction by TripAdvisor, has more than 800 exotic animals and is one of our favourite spots to entertain the kids. See animals ranging from meercats to penguins and meet some of the world’s most magnificent big cats. What’s more, once you’ve come within a whisker of the many wild animals, you can head back to the Jurassic period and discover the World of Dinosaurs’ 40 roaring and moving dinosaurs.