That’s it schools out for the summer and hasn’t it started with a bang. We’ve had some spectacular and usually warm weather this year and a lot of people are opting for staycations; we don’t blame them we’ve been hotter than some European and Caribbean destinations plus we have a lot to explore on our doorsteps.
Here is a little list of local places in Hertfordshire which you can visit with the children; family fun with a chance to learn along the way sound like a great mix.
Milll Green Museum and Working Mill
Visit and see the magnificent watermill which is made of 18th and 19th century wooden machinery. Restored to full working order, it is regularly use to grind organic wheat for a local bakery and for retail sale.
On milling days, visitors can explore the mill, see the watermill in action and find out about this ancient craft from our friendly millers.
We are open Thursday – Sunday 10am to 5pm.
Milling itself is subject to demand for flour, weather conditions or necessary repairs.
Please note the miller takes a lunch break in the middle of each day.
Hatfield House & Grounds
The most beautiful grounds to visit in Hatfield is Hatfield House. Children can learn about the history behind this beautiful building and explore the many gardens and woodlands.
The Park, Gardens & Woodland Walks are open to visitors from 2nd April – 25th September. Hatfield House is open to visitors from 19th May – 29th August.
The Old Place tour dates can be found here
Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust
On 29th July from 11am – 2pm, drop by Panshanger Park and pick up a pencil or pens to sketch nature in the outdoors.
As part of the “Herts Wild Art” project (funded by The Arts Council) they will be placing easels and art materials out to encourage anyone exploring Panshanger Park to spend a little bit of time sketching or painting nature in the outdoors.
Free for all – no artistic ability needed and all ages welcome to come and have a go!
Location: Panshanger Park, Thieves Lane Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG14 2WN
Dehavilland Aircraft Museum
Located at Salisbury Hall, Shenley, London Colney AL2 1BU
The area has some rich history when it comes to aircrafts and you can learn all about it at the Dehavilland Aircraft Museum.
Learn about the history of Salisbury Hall and the contribution that de Havilland made to British Aviation for over 80 years. Get very close and into most of the aircraft and learn how they were built. Learn how aircrafts fly and are constructed. There are also several exhibitions dedicated to historic events in which de Havilland were involved in, including WW1 and De Havilland Mosquito operations of WW2.
Email to find out how they can accommodate your group on your chosen day. E:grouptours@dehavillandmuseum.co.uk
Buzz Works
Learn about the fascinating life of bees at the The Bee Discovery Centre.
Located on the edge of the Old Hale Way Hitchin, SG5 1XT.
They welcome arranged visits between May and September from local schools, youth organisations, such as Rainbows, Brownies, Beavers and Cubs, and other youth and adult community groups.
Activities include:
- A learning journey
- Bee school
- Bee activities
Please contact them to arrange an educational visits E: buzzworksweb@gmail.com
Welwyn Roman Baths
Located on Welwyn By Pass Rd, Welwyn AL6 0QS 9FG.
Visit the Welwyn Roman Baths, a small part of a larger Roman villa known as Dicket Mead, dating from around 250AD. The villa lies 0.5km east of today’s Welwyn village, where there was also a Roman settlement.
The site was discovered in 1960 and excavated by the local archaeological society before the construction of the A1(M).
Walk along an entranceway lined with original Roman tiles and explore artefacts which are a piece of local history.
Open every Saturday 10am – 4pm
Hertfordshire School Holidays Mondays to Fridays: 1-4pm
Adults – £5 | Children – £1.50 | under 12 months – Free
The British School Museum
Time to get crafty with The British Schools Museum in Hitchin.
They have craft activities for children from Tuesday 26th July.
Located in the historical Monitorial Schoolroom, is the opportunity to join in a flexible drop-in drop-out morning or afternoon session to work with up to three artistic craft activities, all inspired by our 4 themes over 4 weeks!
Week 1, 26th – 28th July: “Are we there yet?”
Week 2, 2nd – 4th August: At the zoo
Week 3, 9th – 11th August: Stargazing
Week 4, 16th – 18th August: Picnic
Expect balloons, bears, and twinkling wonders all!
£7 per participating child, with toys available free for younger children with a paying sibling. Children must be accompanied.
Botanical invasion at North Herts Museum
An interactive installation of giant inflatable plants and flowers is coming to Hitchin from 9 July to 2 October, encouraging kids to learn and have fun with botanicals.
The museum in the centre of town has secured the special exhibition from visual artists Spacecadets Air Design whose hugely popular Blood and Bone exhibition was hosted by the museum in 2019.
Exotic flowers from the botanical invasion and a giant cactus tunnel for children to walk through (pictured above) will take over the gallery and it’s all free to see!