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Local Activities
This is a (by no means definitive!) list of child-friendly places to visit
in and around our area.
It is simply compiled by parents for parents, and the places listed are not
paying for advertising in any way.
None of the venues listed are in any way endorsed by the NCT.
Many of these places have special events going on for children throughout holiday
periods, so it's worth checking out their websites for any specific dates and
events.
If you have any comments on the places listed, or suggestions for additions
to the list, please email: webadmin
For more information on children-focussed activities in our area please see 
| Attraction | Location | Website: | Telephone no: |
| Bedford Butterfly Park | Wilden, Beds | http://www.bedford-butterflies.co.uk | 01234 772770 |
| Binghams Park Farm | Hemel Hempstead, Herts | http://www.britinfo.net/T/1016147.htm | 01442 232373 |
| Celtic Harmony Camp | Brickendon, Herts | http://www.celticharmony.org | 01438 718543 |
| Colchester Zoo | Colchester,Essex | http://www.colchester-zoo.com | 01206 331292 |
| Farrowby Open Farm | Hinxworth, Baldock, Herts | http://www.farrowbyfarm.co.uk | 01462 733700 |
| Hayes Hill Farm & Holyfield Hall Farm | Waltham Abbey, Essex | 01992 892781 | |
| Langleybury Childrens Farm | Kings Langley, Herts | http://www.langleyburyfarm.org | 01923 270603 |
| Lincolnsfield Childrens Centre | Bushey, Herts | http://www.lincolnsfields.co.uk | 01923 233841 |
| Linton Zoo | Linton, Cambs | http://www.lintonzoo.com/ | 01223 891308 |
| Longford Childrens Farm | Hemel Hempstead, Herts | 01442 843471 | |
| Mead Open Farm | Leighton Buzzard, Beds | http://www.meadopenfarm.co.uk | 01525 852954 |
| Oak Farm Rare Breeds Park | Broughton, Aylesbury Bucks | http://www.visitbuckinghamshire.org/attractions/info/animals/oakfarm/index.htm | 01296 415709 |
| Old Warden Park | Biggleswade, Beds | http://www.shuttleworth.org | 01767 627288 |
| Paradise Wildlife Park | Broxbourne, Herts | http://www.pwpark.com | 01992 470490 |
| Shepreth Wildlife Park | Royston, Herts | http://www.SheprethWildlifePark.co.uk | 01763 262226 |
| Standalone Farm | Letchworth, Herts | http://standalonefarm.com | 01462 686775 |
| Thurleigh Farm Centre | Thurleigh, Beds | http://www.thurleighfarmcentre.co.uk | 01234 771597 |
| Van Hage Garden Centre | Ware, Herts | http://www.vanhage.co.uk, garden centre and pet shop and miniature railway | 01920 870811 |
| Vanstone Park Garden Centre | Codicote, Herts | Woodland Railway, garden centre and pet shop | 01438 820412 |
| Water Hall Farm and Tea Room | Whitwell, Herts | http://www.hertfordshire.com/pages/entries/show-entry.asp?id=3176 | 01438 871256 |
| Whipsnade Wild Animal Park | Dunstable, Beds | http://www.zsl.org/whipsnade | 01582 872171 |
| Willows Farm Village | London Colney, Herts | www.willowsfarmvillage.com | 01727 822444 |
| Wimpole Hall & Home Farm | Royston, Herts | http://www.wimpole.org | 01223 206000 |
| Woburn Safari Park | Woburn, Beds | http://www.woburnsafari.co.uk | 01525 290407 |
| Woodside Animal Farm | Luton, Beds | http://www.woodsidefarm.co.uk | 01582 841044 |
|
Gardens, Woodland and Parks |
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| Attraction | Location | Information/Website | Telephone no |
| Aldenham Country Park | Aldenham, Herts | http://www.aboutbritain.com/AldenhamCountryPark | 0208 953 9602 |
| Ayot St Peter Woods | WGC, Herts | http://enquire.hertscc.gov.uk/landscsh/Areas/area35.htm | |
| Benington Lordship Gardens | Benington, Herts | http://www.beningtonlordship.co.uk | 08701 261709 |
| Broxbourne Woods | Brickendon, Herts | http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk/broadleaf/leaffirst.asp?aid=551&issue=60 | 01279 843067 |
| Capel Manor College and Gardens | Enfield, Middx | http://www.capel.ac.uk/Gardens/index.html | 08456 122122 |
| Cassiobury Park | Watford, Herts | http://www.hertfordshire.co.uk | 01923 235946 |
| Cedars Park and Cheshunt Country Park | Cheshunt, Herts | http://www.hertfordshire.co.uk | 01992 702200 |
| Clarence Park | St Albans, Herts | http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/leisure/parks/clarence.pdf | 01727 819366 |
| Fairlands Valley Park | Stevenage, Herts | http://www.stevenage-leisure.co.uk/fairlands | 01438 353241 |
| Forge Museum and Victorian Cottage Garden | Much Hadham, Herts | http://www.hertsmuseums.org.uk/forge | 01279 843301 |
| Gardens of the Rose | Chiswell Green, St Albans, Herts | http://www.gardenvisit.com/g/gar3.htm | 01727 850461 |
| Gobians Wood | Brookmans Park, Herts | http://enquire.hertscc.gov.uk/cms/explore/walk/pottersbar.pdf | |
| Hartham Common | Hertford, Herts | http://www.hertsdirect.org/comdirectory/comvol/visit2y/gardandpark4/591182 | 01279 655261 |
| Hatfield Forest | Bishops Stortford, Herts | http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk | 01279 870678 |
| Howe Dell Stream Woods | Howe Dell, Hatfield | Childrens play area, wooded dell and stream | |
| Lee Valley Park | Lee Valley, Herts | http://www.leevalleypark.org.uk/ | 01992 717711 |
| Mardley Heath | Oaklands, Welwyn | open space and woodland | |
| Northaw Great Wood | Cuffley, Herts | country park with marked walks | |
| Panshanger Aerodrome | WGC, Herts | http://www.northlondonflyingschool.com Plane spotting, café | 01707 391791 |
| Rickmansworth Aquadrome | Rickmansworth, Herts | http://www.hertsdirect.org | 01923 776611 |
| Scratchwood and Moat Mount Local Nature Reserve | Barnet, Herts | http://www.hertsdirect.org | 020 8359 7824 |
| Shenley Park Trust | Shenley, Herts | http://www.shenleypark.co.uk | 01923 852629 |
| Sherrardspark Woods | WGC, Herts | Marked woodland walks from Campus West Carpark | |
| St Pauls Walden Bury | St Pauls Walden, Herts | http://www.gardenvisit.com/g/stp.htm | 01438 871218 |
| Stanborough Park | Welwyn GC, Herts | http://www.finesseleisure.co.uk/default.asp?step=2&id=4 | 01707 327655 |
| Stockwood Park | Luton, Beds | http://www.hertsdirect.org | 01582 738714 |
| Swiss Garden | Biggleswade, Beds | http://www.shuttleworth.org/swissgarden_home.asp | 01767 627927 |
| Tring Park | Tring, Herts | http://www.tring.gov.uk/info/reserv.htm | 01908 302500 |
| Verulamium Park | St Albans, Herts | http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/leisure/parks/ver_park_leaflet.pdf | 01727 819366 |
| Wrest Park Gardens | Beds | http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/conProperty.51 | 01525 860152 |
|
Country Houses and Castles |
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| Attraction | Location | Website | Telephone no |
| Cheslyn House and Gardens | Watford, Herts | http://www.hertsdirect.org | 01923 235946 |
| Forty Hall | Enfield, Middx | http://www.enfield.gov.uk | 020 8363 8196 |
| Hatfield House | Hatfield, Herts | http://www.hatfield-house.co.uk | 01707 287010 |
| Hertford Castle | Hertford, Herts | http://www.hertfordshire.co.uk | 01992 584322 |
| Knebworth House | Knebworth, Herts | http://www.knebworthhouse.com | 01438 812661 |
| Mountfitchet Castle | Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex | http://www.mountfitchetcastle.com | 0906 4700 898 |
|
Pram Walks |
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| Attraction | Location | Route | |
| Alban Way | Hatfield, Herts | Hatfield -At Albans along disused railway, see map |
|
| Ayot Green Way | WGC, Herts | Ayot Little Green - Homerswood Lane - Wheathampstead along disused railway, see map | |
| Cole Green Way | WGC, Herts | Join at Birchall Lane, Cowper Arms Pub - Letty Green or Hertingfordbury along disused railway, see map | |
| Hartham Common/Kings Mead | Hertford, Herts | Start at Hartham Pool Car Park, along Navigation Canal Hertford-Ware. | |
|
Indoor play areas |
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| Adventure Castle | Hertford, Herts | http://www.adventurecastle.co.uk | 01992 509510 |
| Adventure World | London Colney, Herts | http://www.leisureconnection.co.uk/centre/2/56/london_colney.html | 01727 822 447 |
| Big Space | Harpenden, Herts | http://www.bigspace.biz | 01582 766100 |
| Monkey Bizness | Stevenage, Herts | http://www.monkey-bizness.co.uk/contact_stevenage.html | 08458 739645 |
| DJ's Jungle Adventure | Sandridge, Herts | http://www.djsjungleadventure.co.uk | 01727 844991 |
| Jungle Mania | Welwyn Garden City, Herts | http://www.goslingsports.co.uk/downloads/JungleMania.pdf | 01707 384304 |
| Kids Zone | Berkhamsted, Herts | 01442 878441 | |
| Little Legs Playhouse | Bishops Stortford, Herts | http://www.littlelegsplayhouse.co.uk/ | 01279 656646 |
| The Venue | Borehamwood, Herts | http://www.hertsmereleisure.co.uk/kids-zone.asp | 020 386 9886 |
| Hatfield Kids Funzone | Birchwood Leisure Centre, Hatfield, Herts |
Hatfield kids Funzone | 01707 270772 |
| Topsy Turvy World | Lincolnsfields Centre, Bushey, Herts | http://www.topsyturvyworld.com | 01923 219902 |
| Willows Farm Village | London Colney, Herts | www.willowsfarmvillage.com | 01727 822444 |
|
Steam Railways |
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| Attraction | Location | Website | Telephone no |
| Buckingham Railway Centre | Quainton, Nr Aylesbury, Bucks | http://www.bucksrailcentre.org.uk | 01296 655720 |
| Colne Valley | Castle Hedingham, Essex | http://www.colnevalleyrailway.co.uk | 01787 461174 |
| East Anglian Railway Museum | Colchester, Essex | http://www.earm.co.uk | 01206 242524 |
| Epping Ongar Railway | Ongar, Essex | http://eorailway.co.uk | 01277 366616 |
| Icknield Line | Chinnor, Bucks | http://www.cprra.co.uk | 01844 354117 |
| Leighton Buzzard Railway | Leighton Buzzard, Beds | http://www.buzzrail.co.uk | 01525 373888 |
| Nene Valley Railway | Peterborough | http://www.nvr.org.uk | 01780 784444 |
| Northampton and Lamport Railway | Chapel Brampton, Northants | http://www.nlr.org.uk | 01604 820 327 |
| ONE Railway | Hertford East - Ware - Stansted Abbots | http://www.onerailway.com. Regular (electric only!) passenger service alongside Lee Valley Navigation Canal, trip includes 2 level crossings, pretty canalside scenery, ducks and boats |
0845 600 7245 |
|
Indoor Swimming Pools/Splash Centres |
|||
| Attraction | Location | Website | Telephone no |
| Hartham Leisure Centre | Hertford, Herts | http://www.stevenage-leisure.co.uk/Portals/8/Skins/stevenageleisure/WebmasterFiles/hartham_timetable.pdf | 01992 584000 |
| Hatfield Next Generation | Hatfield, Herts | http://www.nextgenerationclubs.co.uk | 01707 255140 |
| Hatfield Swim Centre | Hatfield, Herts | http://www.finesseleisure.co.uk | 01707 264487 |
| Hitchin Swimming Centre | Hertford, Herts | http://www.north-herts.gov.uk/index/discover_nhdc/leisure/hitchin_swimming_centre.htm | 01462 441646 |
| Stevenage Swimming Centre | Stevenage, Herts | http://www.stevenage-leisure.co.uk/CentrenbspLocator/StevenageSwimmingCentre/tabid/186/Default.aspx | 01438 218770 |
| Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre | St Albans, Herts | http://www.leisureconnection.co.uk/centre/2/57/westminster_lodge_leisure_centre.html | 01727 846031 |
|
Outdoor Swimmimg Pools (summer months only) |
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| Attraction | Location | Website | Telephone no |
| Hatfield Next Generation | Hatfield, Herts | http://www.nextgenerationclubs.co.uk | 01707 255140 |
| Hitchin Pool | Hitchin, Herts | http://www.north-herts.gov.uk/index/discover_nhdc/leisure/hitchin_swimming_centre.htm | 01462 441646 |
| Hoddesdon Open Air Pool | Hoddesdon, Herts | http://www.hertsdirect.org/comdirectory/comvol/sport2y/spswim4y/swimpool4/628697 | 01992 461592 |
| Letchworth Pool | Letchworth, Herts | http://www.stevenage-leisure.co.uk/CentrenbspLocator/LetchworthOutdoorPool/tabid/362/Default.aspx | 01462 684673 |
| Priory Lido | Ware, Herts | http://www.wareonline.co.uk/lido/default.asp | 01920 460703 |
|
Paddling Pools (summer months only) |
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| Attraction | Location | Website | Telephone no |
| Cassiobury Park | Watford, Herts | http://www.hertfordshire.co.uk | 01923 235946 |
| Fairlands Valley Park | Hitchin, Herts | http://www.stevenage-leisure.co.uk/fairlands/index.htm NB Closed for refurbishment until Summer 2009 |
01438 353241 |
| Verulamium Park | St Albans, Herts | http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/leisure/parks/ver_park_leaflet.pdf | 01727 819366 |
|
Museums and Galleries with thanks to http://www.hertsmuseums.org.uk for local information |
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| Attraction | Location | Website | Telephone no |
| Ashwell Village Museum | Ashwell, Herts | http://www.hertsmuseums.org.uk/info/ashwell.htm | 01462 742956 |
| Baldock Museum | Baldock, Herts | http://www.hertsmuseums.org.uk/info/baldock.htm | 01462 892640 |
| Batchworth Lock Canal Centre | Rickmansworth, Herts | http://www.hertsmuseums.org.uk/info/batchworth.htm | 01923 778382 |
| Buntingford Heritage Centre | Bungtingford, Herts | http://www.buntingford.com/heritage-centre/ | |
| Cromer Windmill | Cromer, Herts | http://www.hertsmuseums.org.uk/cromer-windmill/index.htm | 01279 843301 |
| Dacorum Heritage Trust | Berkhamsted, Herts | http://www.dacorumheritage.org.uk/index.html | 01442 879525 |
| Datchworth Museum | Datchworth, Herts | http://www.hertsmuseums.org.uk/datchworth/index.htm | 01438 813477 |
| Dolls House Museum | Wendy, Royston, Herts | http://www.maplestreet.co.uk/pages/museum.htm | 01223 207025 |
| De Havilland Aircraft museum | London Colney, Herts |
http://www.dehavillandmuseum.co.uk | 01727 826400 |
| Elstree and Boreham Wood Museum | Elstree, Herts | http://www.elstree-museum.co.uk/ | 020 8953 1258 |
| Elstree Film and Television Heritage Group | Elstree, Herts | http://www.elstreescreenheritage.org/ | 020 8953 2903 |
| First Garden City Heritage Museum | Letchworth, Herts | http://www.letchworthgardencity.net/heritage/index-heritagemuseum.htm | 01462 482710 |
| The Forge Museum | Much Hadham, Herts | http://www.hertsmuseums.org.uk/forge/index.htm | 01279 843301 |
| Harpenden Railway Museum | Harpenden, Herts | http://www.hertsmuseums.org.uk/info/harpenden.htm | 01582 713524 |
| Hertford Museum | Hertford, Herts | http://www.hertfordmuseum.org/ | 01992 582686 |
| Hitchin British Schools | Hitchin, Herts | http://home2.btconnect.com/hitchinbritishschools/ | 01462 452697 |
| Letchworth Museum and Art Gallery | Letchworth, Herts | 01462 685647 | |
| Lowewood Museum | Hoddesdon, Herts | http://www.lowewood.com/ | 01992 445596 |
| Mill Green Museum | Mill Green, WGC, Herts | http://www.hertsmuseums.org.uk/millgreen/index.htm | 01707 271362 |
| Museum of St Albans | St Albans, Herts | http://www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/ | 01727 751810 |
| Redbourn Village Museum | Redbourn, Herts | http://www.hertsmuseums.org.uk/info/redbourn.htm | 01582 793397 |
| Royston and District Museum | Royston, Herts | http://www.roystonmuseum.org.uk/ | 01763 242587 |
| St Albans Organ Museum | St Albans, Herts | http://www.hertsmuseums.org.uk/info/stalbans.htm | 01727 869693 |
| Scotts Grotto | Ware, Herts | http://scotts-grotto.org/CMS/index.php | 01920 464131 |
| Shaws Corner | Ayot St Lawrence, Herts | http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-shawscorner.htm | 01438 820307 |
| Stevenage Museum | Stevenage, Herts | http://www.stevenage.gov.uk/museum | 01438 242242 |
| Three Rivers Museum | Rickmansworth, Herts | http://www.hertsmuseums.org.uk/info/threerivers.htm | 01923 775882 |
| Verulamium Roman Museum | St Albans, Herts | http://www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk | 01727 751810 |
| Walter Rothschild Zoological Museum | Tring, Herts | http://www.nhm.ac.uk/tring/index.html | 020 7942 6171 |
| Watford Museum | Watford, Herts | http://www.watfordmuseum.org.uk/ | 01923 232297 |
| Ware Museum | Ware, Herts | http://www.waremuseum.org.uk/ | 01920 487848 |
| Welwyn Roman Baths | Welwyn, Herts | http://www.hertsmuseums.org.uk/welwyn-roman-baths/index.htm | 01707 271362 |
| Wyllyotts Centre Local History Museum | Potters Bar, Herts | http://www.hertsmuseums.org.uk/pottersbar/index.htm | 01707 645005 |
|
Theme Parks and Model Villages |
|||
| Attraction | Location | Website | Telephone no |
| Bekonscot Model Village | Beaconsfield, Bucks | http://www.bekonscot.com | 01494 672919 |
| Chessington World of Adventure | Chessington, Surrey | http://www.chessington.co.uk | 0870 999 0045 |
| Gullivers World | Milton Keynes, Bucks | http://www.gulliversfun.co.uk | 01925 444888 |
| Legoland | Windsor, Berkshire | http://www.legoland.co.uk | 08705 040404 |
| Thorpe Park | Chertsey, Surrey | http://www.thorpepark.co.uk | 0870 444 44 66 |
Page last updated: 27 December, 2008
Registered Company No. 2370573
The National Childbirth Trust, Alexandra House, Oldham Terrace, Acton, London W3 6NH
©Copyright 2009 Welwyn Garden City and District NCT
Animals
