Sprawling north of Greater London, Hertfordshire is one of England’s home counties. It encompasses former Roman settlements, medieval villages and beautifully preserved Tudor buildings, as well as a film studio where you can delve into the world of “Harry Potter”.
Things to do in Hertfordshire
Whether you want to visit the oldest site of continuous Christian worship in Britain, experience a family-friendly wildlife park or tour one of England’s finest Jacobean mansions, Hertfordshire is sure to please.
Tour Warner Bros. Studio, Leavesden. Harry Potter fans shouldn’t miss a visit to this walkthrough exhibition at the Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden. In addition to getting up close to costumes, props and sets featured in the films, you can see a 1:24 scale model of Hogwarts. Step inside Dumbledore’s Office and experience what working on the film was like in front of a green screen.
Visit Hatfield House. Constructed in 1611 by the 1st Earl of Salisbury, this stunning Jacobean house is surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens laid out by John Tradescant the Elder. Join a guided tour through the period-furnished state rooms and learn about the property’s appearance in numerous films, as well as in the popular TV series “Bridgerton”.
Admire Saint Albans Cathedral. Originally founded as a monastery by King Offa of Mercia in 793, Saint Albans Cathedral is a magnificent example of Norman architecture that dates back to the 11th century. It boasts the longest cathedral nave in England and is home to the 15th-century Wallingford Screen.
Explore the Paradise Wildlife Park. Home to around 800 animals from around the globe, the Paradise Wildlife Park also features a dinosaur adventure trail featuring 30 life-size animatronic models. You can get up close to Amur tigers, snow leopards and white lions in the naturally inspired enclosures, together with two-toed sloths, African penguins and Bactrian camels.
Getting around Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is just under an hour’s drive from central London and around 40 minutes from Heathrow Airport. Railways connect the county to the English capital while local routes travel throughout Hertfordshire. Buses are also convenient for getting around the region.