A to Z of Summer In Herts
To help you get through the summer holidays, we’ve rounded up our favourite places to go, so there’s no excuse for the kids telling you they’re bored!
Aldenham Country Park
Feed the animals in the farm, take a walk around the lake, play in the adventure playground or run around Winnie the Pooh’s 100 Aker Wood. http://www.aldenhamcountrypark.co.uk/
Bentley Priory Museum
From where the Battle of Britain was won in 1940, now a museum, Bentley Priory put on a load of fun activities for families and children during school holidays throughout the year. http://bentleypriorymuseum.org.uk/
Cinema
Take a trip to your local cinema to cool off in the air conditioning. Or check out your local parks for outdoor cinema screenings over the summer. Here are some ideas that are running over the summer of 2018:
Dinosaur Safari Crazy Golf
Just off the A1, on the slip road for Borehamwood, this 18 hole golf course will feel like you’re on a tropical island inhabited by dinosaurs! Spot all the dinosaurs and learn some dino facts as you work your way around the course. And have a play in the sandpit at the end! https://www.dinosaursafari.co.uk/
East Herts Mini Railway
Run entirely by volunteers, located within the grounds of Van Hage Garden Centre in Great Amwell (near Ware, SG12 9RP), we are open to the public every weekend and selected days over the school holidays. http://ehmr.org.uk/Index.php While you’re there take a visit to the garden centre, where there are always lots of family friendly activities on as well! https://www.vanhage.co.uk/
Fishing at Stanborough Park
Paddle in the shallow lakes at Stanborough Park and take (or buy!) a fishing net to catch some little fish! Or have a go at rowing, pedal boating or kayaking! https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/welwyn-hatfield/stanborough-park#
Gambado Watford
Summer holidays wouldn’t be complete without a trip to soft play, lets be honest.. But there’s so much more than soft play at Gambado. They have some great events running over the summer, dedicated toddler times so they don’t get overwhelmed by the big kids running around, and they even have maths & english tuition sessions! https://www.gambado.com/events/watford/
Harry Potter Tour / Hatfield House
Two fantastic venues, we had to mention them both!
The Warner Brothers Harry Potter tour is a must for any HP fan! A truly unique opportunity to see the breathtaking sets, props and costumes, and it’s right on our doorstep! https://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/
Or take a trip to Hatfield House where you can visit the farm, feed the animals and take a ride on the mini railway & tractor. Take a picnic with or enjoy lunch at the new River Cottage Kitchen & Deli. Click for the links to Hatfield House and Hatfield Park Farm.
Intu Watford
No, not for shopping.. (but you could do that too!). Check out their website, you’d be surprised at all the events they have running for kids over the summer. Gymboree Watford is also based in the shopping centre, so you can send the kids off for some play/music/arts classes while you enjoy some much needed time off! https://intu.co.uk/watford
Jump In
Trampolining, soft play.. need we say more? The perfect way to tire the kids out to guarantee a good nights sleep for everyone! Jumping sessions, toddler sessions, disco club, fitness classes and loads more activities over the summer. Check out their website for all the info https://www.gojumpin.com/locations/elstree
Knebworth House
The kids will love walking around the Dino Trail in the beautiful gardens of Knebworth House and spotting all 70 of their life sized dinosaurs. Then visit the adventure playground with zip wires, swings, side and splash play water features. You could easily spend all day here, so take a picnic too! https://www.knebworthhouse.com/
London Colney Paddling Pools
Head down to Morris Playing Fields on White Heart Lane for to cool down and splash about in their paddling pool! http://www.londoncolney-pc.gov.uk/?page_id=246
Mead Open Farm
So much more than a farm. So much it could have it’s own blog post.. As well as the animals there’s an awesome indoor play area, and a huge list of outdoor fun like diggers, tractor rides, go karts, high ropes, crazy golf and more! The perfect day trip for a family of all ages. https://www.meadopenfarm.co.uk/
National History Museum, Tring
The baby brother of the South Ken mega museum, but just as fun and it’s free! http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/tring.html
Old Macdonalds Park and Farm
Perfect for an out of town day trip. Farm animals, soft play, kid-friendly rollercoasters and funfair rides. Check out their website for all the different events they have on over the summer https://www.omdfarm.co.uk/
Pick your own Parkside Farm
With around 20 different crops grown in 50 acres of farm land, there is plenty of variety to choose from. Crops grown seasonally and ready for picking from around June — October. Check their website for all the details http://www.parksidefarmpyo.co.uk/
Quasar Enfield
Something for the older kids (although suitable from aged 6 upwards), take up to 19 of your friends for some laser quest fun! http://www.laserquest.co.uk/locations/enfield-2/
RAF Museum
One of our favourite days out, The RAF Museum has and just had a makeover and now has a new hangar with fantastic interactive displays. And their new outdoor play area will be open any day now! https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/
Splash Parks
We’re spoilt for choice in Herts with our fantastic parks and splash parks. Click here for our top 4!
Theatre
Head into London for Kids Week where kids can go free to participating London theatres with an paying adult. Or make the most of the fabulous local theatres we have around herts:
Under 1 Roof, London
It really does have everything under one roof.. nursery, summer holiday club, classes, under 5’s area, over 5’s area, theatre shows and more! Another great place to visit for a fun day trip, check out their website for all the details of their events and activities. http://www.under1roofkids.com/
Verulamium Fun Play
Open over the summer months in line with the Splash Park opening times, Verulamium Fun Play set up their trampolines, mini quad bikes and mini golf near to the splash park and Inn On The Park Cafe. https://www.verulamiumfunplay.com/
Willows Farm
A full fun day out at this activity farm with tractor rides, acres of outdoor and undercover play areas, Peter Rabbit playground and more. Their Summer Spectacular programme is jam packed with lots of fun activities, check it out here https://www.willowsactivityfarm.com/
XC Centre
Something a bit different at the XC Centre in Hemel Hempstead, take the kids along to enjoy the skatepark, caving, high ropes and climbing walls. Plus they’ll be hosting a range of activities over the summer such as scooter school, taster sessions, and even mini mountaineers for kids as young as 3! https://www.thexc.co.uk/
Yoga for kids
After all these high energy activities, have some chill out time with a relaxing kids yoga session.
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
Visit the new baby tiger cub this summer at the UK’s largest Zoo. Have a full fun filled day out or even stay over in the Lookout Lodge and experience an exclusive after hours tour of the zoo. https://www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo
