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Our family visited the UK not too long ago and spent a week at all the regular haunts: London Tower, Buckingham Palace, the British Museum, Westminster Abbey … but it was our day out in Hertfordshire that stood out. We loved central London and its attractions, to be sure, but when Harry Potter calls, you answer …
Hertfordshire, a county directly north of London, is not only home to the renowned Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, but also several other kid-friendly attractions ideal for an easy day trip when little legs are tired of walking through museums and historic sites. Instead, they can pal around with farm animals, skip through glorious gardens, zip line at cool playgrounds, and picnic in the park. If you’re looking for the perfect country day to complement your city days in London, Hertfordshire is the place. Here’s what we love.
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Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter
Let’s get right to it. This is, by far, the county’s most famous attraction, and it’s well worth the visit … and easy to get to. We took the Tube to a designated bus stop, where the studio buses pick you up and whisk you away to this magical place.
We stepped onto authentic sets, strolled down Diagon Alley, explored the Forbidden Forest, and walked into Gringotts Wizarding Bank. We learned about the British talent and artistry that went into making the wizarding world. We spotted our favorite props from the films and learned how special effects made Harry and his friends fly. We got to see intricate costumes up close, including Quidditch uniforms and Hermione’s iconic Yule Ball gown. Trust me, every adult in the place was just as enthralled as the kids they brought along …
Getting Here
Take the train from London Euston to Watford Junction, where the studio shuttle bus stop is located.
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Knebworth House, Park & Gardens
Spend an entire day getting the kids’ wiggles out at Knebworth, a beautiful estate with a Tudor Gothic mansion, stunning gardens complete with a maze and walled vegetable garden, a Dinosaur Trail, and the popular Adventure Playground, named Fort Knebworth. There are slides to zip down, swings to soar in, water play, zip lines, and climbing equipment for all ages and abilities.
Later, head over to neighboring Knebworth Park, a historic deer park covering more than 250 acres. The grazing herds of red and sika deer that live here have been around longer than the Lytton family, who owned the estate.
Getting Here
Knebworth House & Park are accessed directly from the Junction 7 roundabout of the A1(M) motorway at Stevenage South, 29 miles north of London. The nearest rail station is Stevenage, 2 miles from Knebworth Park. Non-stop intercity and local services run to Stevenage station from London King’s Cross station about every 30 minutes.
Willows Activity Farm
Rain or shine, Willows Activity Farm offers young families more than 300 farm animals to meet and more than 40 activities, shows, and attractions. Get the lay of the land with a ride on Tristan the Runaway Tractor, giggle on fair rides, watch kid-friendly performances, or head inside to enjoy Woolly Jumpers, Toddler Town, and Captain Chicken’s Egg Dodge. There are several seasonal offerings, too, so depending on the time of year you visit, you might be in for the Easter egg and bunny hunt, summertime’s “A-maize-ing Maze,” or the Pumpkin Festival in the fall.
The Peter Rabbit Adventure Playground is included in your admission and includes the Lily Bobtail Nature Discovery Area, Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle’s kitchen, the Great Invention Sensory game, created by Mr. Bouncer, the Jeremy Fisher Music Pond, and the Peter Rabbit Secret Treehouse. Tell the littles to keep an eye out for Mr. McGregor and Old Brown!
Farm fun is pure joy.
Hatfield Park
The English countryside brims with gorgeous estates and parklands, with stately residences, pretty gardens, and placid ponds. Hatfield Park is another Hertfordshire favorite, a serene place where you can spend a lazy day imagining what life might have been like if you were a royal family.
Step back in time and discover the history of the Grade I-listed Hatfield House, built in 1611. The kids may not be as impressed as you are by the architecture (a prime example of the Jacobean style), but they’ll still think it “looks really cool.”
If you can, take a tour with Dermot Burke (available on a first-come, first-served basis, or as a pre-organized private tour). He knows his stuff, based on years of research at the British Library, and will bring the story of Hatfield House to life in a way that will keep the whole family engaged.
Later, head to the children’s play area, an adorable mini replica of Hatfield House. And if it’s a Friday, head to the estate’s Stable Yard for Food Truck Friday for munchies and live music. Food and drink are also available at the Coach House Kitchen (there’s a delicious Sunday roast on the weekend).
Getting Here
By car: Hatfield Park is 21 miles from Central London, 7 miles North of the M25 motorway (junction 23) and 2 miles East of the A1(M) (junction 4). By train: The pedestrian entrance to Hatfield Park is opposite Hatfield railway station. The fast train from Kings Cross to Hatfield takes 20 minutes. There are London Underground links with this mainline at Finsbury Park (Piccadilly and Victoria lines). Local bus services regular drop off at Hatfield railway station.
Hertfordshire Zoo
The award-winning Hertfordshire Zoo is a must for your animal-loving brood. The sheer number of animal-encounter experiences is reason enough to visit, but the appeal goes even further.
Discover more than 800 animals, including Amur tigers, snow leopards, jaguars, sun bears, penguins, red pandas, anacondas, sloths, lemurs, meerkats, camels, zebras, and tapirs. The habitats are among the UK’s most impressive – check out Gibbons: Song of the Forest, Sun Bear Heights, and Jaguar Jungle, in particular.
Dino fans can’t miss the animatronic World of Dinosaurs trail with velociraptors and T-Rexes, and a Dino Dig area. Everyone will love Boulders Beach Splash Park, On Safari Adventure Golf, the Rex Express train, and several indoor and outdoor play areas.
As for those animal encounters … take your pick. Meet meerkats with the fantastic zookeepers, feeding your new furry friends and experiencing their inquisitive nature. Or, come face-to-face with Amur tigers, jaguars, or a snow leopard. Want more? Pick from up-close time with capybaras, red bandas, lemurs, sloths, and tapirs, too.
Getting Here
Hertfordshire Zoo is situated just off the A10 near to junction 25 of the M25.
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De Havilland Aircraft Museum
For future pilots and fans of all things airplane, the de Havilland Aircraft Museum is Britain’s oldest aviation museum. Check out the iconic De Havilland aircrafts, including Mosquito, Sea Vixen, and Comet, then go beyond to the displays of jet engines and missiles, go inside at Trident and a DH 146, check out the ongoing restoration of a de Havilland Rapide, and learn about wartime operations and military jet aircraft.
Wide-eyed wonder as the kids dream of soaring through the skies.
Getting Here
The de Havilland Aircraft Museum is located next to Salisbury Hall in the Hertfordshire countryside just off Junction 22, M25 on the B556. A number 84 bus from St. Albans City station or Potters Bar Railway Stations will stop just outside the driveway that leads to the Museum.
Where to Stay
If you think you may spend more than one day exploring Hertfordshire while you’re in London, consider looking for accommodations in Barnet, Potters Bar, or Watford Junction. You’ll still have easy access to London via public transportation and a wide variety of options, from budget to luxury. Here are a few options we like:
Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel & Country Club: Spread out on this 200-acre estate with lots of space for little legs to run. The English-style suites boast ample living space, plus there’s a heated indoor swimming pool. Multiple restaurants offer lots of choices, including children’s menus.
Hotel Cromwell Stevenage: You’ll get charm in spades here in a former farmhouse nestled in Old Town with quick access to London’s Kings Cross Station. And who won’t love the hotel’s own cheekily named brasserie, Rump and Wade? Afternoon tea is a hit with all ages.
Hunton Park: Kids under 12 stay free and enjoy a complimentary breakfast to kick off a day in the English countryside without a hangry belly. Reserve the Admiral Suite and you’ll have a view of the fountain from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, where Lily and James Potter danced.
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