Trip Ideas - Family
See part of the Natural History Museum at Tring. Visit the galleries and come face to face with a full-sized gorilla, a huge anaconda or an extinct giant moa, just a few of the 5,000 animals on display!
De Havilland Aircraft Heritage Centre was established in 1939 by the de Havilland Aircraft Company, the team that designed the Mosquito. The site of the Museum at London Colney, which de Havillands left in 1947, was taken in hand by an ex Royal Marine Major named Walter Goldsmith who restored it and opened it up to the public in 1959. He brought back the prototype Mosquito, E0234/W4050, as one of the attractions. The centre remains in private ownership and house displays of the de Havilland Moth, modern military and civil aircraft memorabilia.
For those who prefer the outdoors, why not spent time at Willows Farm Village, London Colney. There is a picnic area next to an outdoor children’s play area and indoor picnic facilities are available during inclement weather. The farm walk takes you through surrounding paddocks, past sheep, cows, different breeds of goats and horses all contentedly grazing.
A wander around the displays in the exhibition barn containing seventy bird specimens, mammals, animal skulls, model dinosaurs, creepy crawlies and a working beehive, will prove interesting to both adults and children. A gentle stroll away, and accessible to the disabled, are specially constructed hides to view wildfowl in their natural habitat.
If you enjoy farm life, then visit Standalone Farm, Letchworth. Standalone is a small working show farm set in 170 acres. A warm welcome awaits everyone who visits the farm and you'll discover a great day out for all the family! In the spring see the newborn lambs, calves and chicks. Ducks waddle around the farmyard and paddle happily in Pix Brook, which meanders through the farm. Pigs, free-range chickens and rarer breeds of poultry can be seen as you wander around the farmyard.
If you prefer more exotic animals then Paradise Wildlife Park near Broxbourne has plenty to offer for a day visit. From adventure golf to the world’s largest paddling pool, restaurants, jungle trading post, amusements, rides and live animal shows. Join in with animal activities and feed the big cats or meet the meerkats. There are many animals to see from alpacas, camels, cheetahs, deer, foxes, lemurs, wolves, zebras and snow leopards are just a few.
For all those Winnie the Pooh fans, Aldenham Country Park at Elstree is for you. Set in 175 acres of woodland there are woodland trails, lakeside walks, rare breeds farm, children’s playgrounds and Winnie the Pooh’s 100 Aker Wood where you can see both Pooh and Owl's homes..
Why not combine a trip to Knebworth House, near Stevenage with the Knebworth Dinosaur trail. The trail has 72 life size models to discover and learn about. At the adventure playground, children can run loose on the grass, climb on the swings and walkways, bounce down the four lane astroglide or try their courage on the freefall slide. For the younger age group there is Fort Knebworth, a Wild West enclosure with slides and swings. There is a free vintage bus service between the Adventure Playground and the house, gardens and Barns restaurant (Inc Sundays and Bank Holidays)
