Easily reachable from London, Hertfordshire is perfect for a day trip or long weekend getaway. You might think it's just a quiet home county, but there's a surprisingly eclectic mix of things to do in Hertfordshire. For starters, there’s the rather trendy town of St. Albans which boasts some seriously good eateries. Then there’s Warner Bros. Studios which goes behind-the-scenes of how the Harry Potter movies were made. There’s also oodles of Roman, Medieval and Tudor history, more stately homes than you could shake your stick at, and miles of forest trails. It’s easy to see why Hertfordshire is one of the UK’s most treasured counties, and home to some of our beautiful handpicked holiday homes. Here at Plum Guide, top quality accommodation is our biggest focus, with just 3% of homes from any given location being accepted onto our site, so you know that a stay with us will be a stay to remember for all the right reasons.
Visit St. Albans
Traditional pub in the roman town of St Albans, Hertfordshire, England
There are many reasons to visit the Roman town of St. Albans, from the eponymous cathedral to Verulamium Park, a sprawling 100-acre expanse of rolling hills and lakes. While history is undoubtedly a big draw, it’s the burgeoning dining scene which interests us most about Hertfordshire’s unofficial capital. For a small town, St. Albans certainly packs a punch when it comes to high-end eateries and bistro pubs. The traditional market, which takes place twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays, is another must-visit and also features a farmer’s market with lots of locally produced fare.
Parkaway, Plum Guide home in Bedfordshire, UK
Go and see Knebworth House
Music lovers will recognise Knebworth House as the setting for one of the 90s' most iconic live performances. It was then that a bunch of upstarts called Oasis played to over 100,000 fans that packed into Knebworth’s storied grounds. Knebworth still echoes with the history of legendary performances from the likes of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Elton John, and remains the UK’s largest music venue. Knebworth House's eye-catching exterior boasts turrets, domes and gargoyles. Inside, there is over 500 years of British history to explore.
Highgrove, Plum Guide home in Hertfordshire, UK
Take a trip to the Warner Bros. Studio
Hatfield House, Hertfordshire, England | Image courtesy of Wiki Commons
Fans of the wizarding world won’t want to miss Warner Bros. Studio on their list of things to do in Hertfordshire. The museum is home to sets from the Harry Potter movies including Diagon Alley, the Forbidden Forest and the Great Hall. No matter whether you’re Gryffindor or Slytherin, there’s something here for die-hard fans of the franchise. Even those who find the stories less appealing than a date with 'You-Know-Who' will enjoy lifting the curtain on the movie industry.
Halcyon Hideaway, Plum Guide home in Hertfordshire, UK
Head out to Hatfield House
Hatfield House is one of the Treasure Houses of England, one of the most magnificent stately homes in the country and definitely one of the best things to see and do in England. To us, if you’ve seen one stately home you’ve seen them all (yes, you know how hard we are to please). By far the most impressive feature of Hatfield House is its gardens. Walking through the colourful, perfectly manicured botanical wonderlands including The Sundial Garden and Woodland Gardens is real food for the soul. Inside Hatfield House, visitors can explore rooms exemplifying Jacobean style from The King James Drawing Room to the Marble Hall.
Sky’s Delight, Plum Guide home in Hertfordshire, UK
Book in at The Grove Golf Course and Spa
The Grove is an oasis within touching distance of London. It’s home to a championship golf course and five-star spa. Now, golf may not be the most fashionable of pursuits, but this course is one that will make you fall back in love with the game. If hitting a tiny ball around acres of parkland isn’t your thing then the award-winning spa might suit you better. Choose from a long list of treatments from facials and massages to manicures and pedicures. Who doesn’t love a good pampering?
Enjoy a visit to Hitchin Lavender
When you can smell a farm before you see it, that’s not often a good thing. A visit to Hitchin Lavender, however, is a totally welcome assault on the senses. The lavender farm boasts 35 miles of lavender and sunflower fields, which usually bloom from mid-August onwards. A 17th-Century barn doubles as a bakery, and guests are also welcome to bring their own picnics to enjoy. And, best of all, Hitchin hosts open-air cinema nights with some classic movies to watch under the stars.
Take a dip in the Hitchin and Letchworth swimming pools
The outdoor pursuits keep coming. Hitchin and Letchworth are each home to outdoor lidos where you can escape the summer heat or get your winter swimming on towards the end of the year. Supposedly cold water is good for your mental health. Hitchin Swimming Centre has a 50-metre heated outdoor pool surrounded by a terrace for sunbathing. No less enjoyable, Letchworth pool is open from the end of May to the beginning of September, and offers a great way to spend an afternoon.
Explore Frithsden Vineyard and Puddingstone Distillery
Rounding off our list of things to do in Hertfordshire, we have Frithsden Vineyard and Puddingstone Distillery. Home of Campfire gin, Puddingstone is Hertfordshire’s first small-batch gin distillery. Learn the art of gin making on a tour of the distillery, and sample a spirit or two. Another welcome stop on the culinary tour of Hertfordshire is Frithsden Vineyard, a boutique English vineyard and winery located in the foothills of the Chilterns. Enjoy wine tasting in the lush English countryside, and pick up a bottle or two to enjoy back at one of our gorgeous holiday homes.
