Wildlife and nightlife
Be wowed by the amazing Jain Temple, watch the wildfowl at Oakmere Park, discover an ancient site of Christian worship at St Albans Cathedral or curiosities galore at Parkfield. Go Harry Potter potty on a Warner Bros Studios tour, catch shows and flicks at Wyllyotts Theatre or head into town for the lights and sights.
Country kids
Explore sets, props, costumes, special effects, creature effects and the art department on a Harry Potter tour at the Warner Bros Studios. Try Potters Bar Museum, a small but perfectly formed attraction chock-full of interesting artefacts from the local area. Or catch shows and flicks at cute Wyllyotts Theatre.
Discover curiosities galore at Parkfield, including the remains of a Roman tile kiln, a World War 2 air-raid shelter, a tree sculpture and plenty of healthy walks. Or head to the Paradise Wildlife Park to see over 800 exotic wild animals, from huge Amur tigers to the world’s smallest known monkey, the pygmy marmoset.
Paint t-shirts, build your own bear, make slime, or paint your own pottery at Krafty Koala. Tag your mates with a blast of dramatic-looking laser beams at Laser Planet Watford. Or hit 40mph on the 500-metre multi-level track at TeamSport Indoor Karting, full of super-twisty bends, awesome ramps, and plenty of fast straights.
Head into the Big Smoke to ride the London Eye, meet the rich and famous at Madame Tussaud’s, or see sharks, turtles and penguins at the Sea Life London aquarium. Treat yourself to sky-high views from The Shard, catch top musicals such as The Lion King, and be wowed by the Covent Garden street entertainers.
For the grown-ups
See the amazing Jain temple at Derasar and keep the kids amused on the playground. Hack through the estate at Northaw Manor Equestrian Centre, nestled in the rolling countryside of Northaw with access to miles of road-free bridleways. Or watch the wildfowl at Oakmere Park.
Discover the oldest site of continual Christian worship in Britain at St Albans Cathedral, with a blend of architectural styles spanning a millennium and 13th-century wall paintings. Visit Hatfield House for the park, gardens and woodland walks. Or roam Cassiobury Park to find two cafes, a railway, tennis courts, croquet and bandstand.
Try De Haviland Aircraft Museum, Britain’s oldest aviation museum and home to a collection of iconic aircraft, films and models. Enjoy supercar experiences, drift experience days and stunt driving at Drift Limits Motorsport Academy on Bovingfield Airfield. Or get your skis on for The Snow Centre.
Come in summer to wander the purple rows at Hitchin Lavender Farm. Or come any time to ‘head into town’ and ride the London Eye, or tour the Tower of London and the Palace. Wander the walkways of Hyde Park, catch a show, check out the Whispering Gallery at St Paul’s or discover over two million years of history at the British Museum.
Happy hens
Stay on site for 8000 square feet and ten acres of LA-style glamour, including a styling room with two preparation stations. Catch a movie in the cinema room. Play floodlit tennis all year round on the artificial-grass court. Swim in the outdoor pool heated to 27 degrees. Or hang out in the pool house, with jukebox, eight-ball pool and bar.
Sweat your hens or stags in the sauna and gym, complete with boxing pads. Hit the games rooms for pool and pinball. Eat out back from the barbecue kitchen. Play table tennis on the terrace. Chill by the pool or in the cabana. Get yoga-ing on the lawns. Picnic by the pond.
Tear yourself away for dainty finger sandwiches, cakes, freshly made scones and tea served on white china and crisp linen tablecloths at Manor of Groves Hotel in Sawbridgeworth. Or try something different with Laughtercise, home of beaming smiles, silly games and belly laughs.
Go Ape on the high ropes at Wendover Woods. Rev it up on the 500-metre track at TeamSport Indoor Karting. Head to St Albans for zany zorb football. Stay in town to rustle up something saucy with a cocktail masterclass at the Slug and Lettuce. Or pop into town for West End theatre, crazy clubbing and yummy street food.
