Herts &amp; Beds


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-historical-houses">HISTORICAL HOUSES </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="581" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/Knebworth-house-from-food-fest-website_Fotor.png" alt="Knebworth House" class="wp-image-70878" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/Knebworth-house-from-food-fest-website_Fotor.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/Knebworth-house-from-food-fest-website_Fotor-800x465.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/Knebworth-house-from-food-fest-website_Fotor-900x523.png 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Knebworth House</figcaption></figure>



<p>What better time to have a snoop around some posh pads than on a rainy day? <a href="https://www.knebworthhouse.com/discover/knebworth-house/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Knebworth House</a> might be famous as an outdoor venue for gigs and fairs, and a great day out for the family on dry days (there are acres of gardens to explore plus a play fort and dinosaur trail), but you can also explore inside this Tudor stately home with a tour of its opulent interiors. It is in fact the former home of novelist, playwright and politician Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton who penned th famous phrases: &#8216;it was a dark and stormy night&#8217; and &#8216;the pen is mightier than the sword&#8217;. Walk in the footsteps of everyone from Charles Dickins to Churchill and even Liam Gallagher, who&#8217;ve all visited &#8211; now there&#8217;s an eclectic mix! </p>



<p><a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/wrest-park/things-to-do/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wrest Park</a> in Silsoe is another safe bet for history buffs. While the 18th century manor house itself isn&#8217;t often open to the public, there are Wallpaper Tours (niche, but hear me out&#8230;) on the first Sunday and third Thursday of each month at 11am and 1pm, where you can get a rare sneak peek behind the usually closed doors. Plus you can book a tour of the estate&#8217;s archaeological collections (£5) featuring pieces dating back as far as 2000 years. And don&#8217;t miss the Dairy Sculpture Gallery, which housing some of the estate&#8217;s restored statues such as a Portland Stone Neptune. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/Hatfield-house-1000x667.jpg" alt="Hatfield House Rainbow Portrait Elizabeth I" class="wp-image-79003" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/Hatfield-house-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/Hatfield-house-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/Hatfield-house-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/Hatfield-house.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Rainbow Portrait at Hatfield House</figcaption></figure>



<p>Open to the public from Thursdays to Sundays, <a href="https://www.hatfield-house.co.uk/explore/the-house/the-rainbow-portrait/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hatfield House</a> is a historical treasure trove, housing the iconic Rainbow Portrait of Elizabeth I amongst other artefacts within the elaborate stately rooms. You can also explore the chapel, armoury and restored Victorian kitchen. Plus, make a beeline for the Stable Yard with its handful of artisan shops and The Coach House Kitchen for a lingering lunch. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">UNDERCOVER ACTION</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/woman-on-climbing-wall-canva.jpg" alt="woman on climbing wall" class="wp-image-83602" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/woman-on-climbing-wall-canva.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/woman-on-climbing-wall-canva-800x533.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>No I don&#8217;t mean <em>that</em> sort of action, naughty! There are plenty of indoor activity centres to get the adrenaline pumping nearby though. </p>



<p>Have a go at climbing, caving and even skateboarding at the <a href="https://thexc.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">XC in Hemel Hempstead</a>. They run adult&#8217;s and kid&#8217;s climbing lessons and courses as well as skateboard sessions for 8+, 16+ and girls only evenings. </p>



<p>Chill out at <a href="https://www.thesnowcentre.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Snow Centre</a>, also in Hemel &#8211; if the sun won&#8217;t come out, embrace the cold instead with a skiing or snowboarding lesson or Ringo Slide (zooming down a slope on a rubber ring &#8211; kids only).</p>



<p>Unleash your big kid at <a href="https://cloud9leisure.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cloud 9 </a>(yep, in Hemel, too!) &#8211; a fun inflatable park for all ages. Gladiators eat your heart out! There are kids&#8217; sessions during the day and adults only evening slots from 7-8pm. They also have bar games including interactive darts, Shuffleboard and pool, if you&#8217;re looking to make a competitive evening of it. And <a href="https://ninjawarrioruk.co.uk/watford" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ninja Warrior</a> Watford should let off some steam, with toddler and kids&#8217; sessions as well as adults only ones on the first Thursday of every month from 7-8pm. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="694" height="500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/01/Snow-centre-hemel-facebook-1-694x500.png" alt="woman skiing" class="wp-image-68298" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/01/Snow-centre-hemel-facebook-1-694x500.png 694w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/01/Snow-centre-hemel-facebook-1-300x216.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/01/Snow-centre-hemel-facebook-1-729x525.png 729w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/01/Snow-centre-hemel-facebook-1.png 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 694px) 100vw, 694px" /></figure>



<p>Also, brand new to the Hemel offering, <a href="https://www.mrmulligan.com/hemel" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mulligans</a> is opening from 11 July &#8211; with crazy golf, electro darts, VR games, pool and ping pong. They&#8217;re doing a date night offer of a game of golf, drink each and plate of nachos to share for £35 per couple. </p>



<p>Escape Rooms more your thing? Head to <a href="https://www.dontgetlockedin.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Don&#8217;t Get Locked In</a> in Bedford, with a variety of rooms and challenges to test you and your group. While you can let out some frustration with the weather at Venture Games&#8217; <a href="https://www.venturegamesbedford.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rage Room and Axe Throwing</a> (also in Bedford). Also check out <a href="https://justragerooms.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Just Rage Rooms</a> in Henlow. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">INDIE CINEMAS </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/Broadway-cinema-1000x667.jpg" alt="Broadway cinema" class="wp-image-79550" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/Broadway-cinema-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/Broadway-cinema-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/Broadway-cinema-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/Broadway-cinema.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Broadway cinema letchworth</figcaption></figure>



<p>If multi-screen complexes are a bit mainstream for you, check out these fab indie venues with retro décor, arthouse movies, bars, food and more. </p>



<p>Our faves include Art Deco venues, <a href="http://therexberkhamsted.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Rex</a>, in Berkhamsted, which sits above the similarly styled (and aptly named) <a href="https://www.thegatsby.net/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Gatsby</a> and shows around 30 films per month, with a mix of blockbusters and art house/world cinema. Similarly <a href="http://odysseypictures.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Odyssey</a> in St Albans dates back to 1908, but was left to dereliction before it was bought and reopened only in 2014 after a huge restoration project to return it to its former glory. You can order food and nibbles at both to eat at a table and comfy chair &#8211; this is cinema with style! </p>



<p>Another Art Deco gem, harking back to the golden age of movies, <a href="https://www.broadway-letchworth.com/cinema/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Broadway Cinema</a> opened its doors in 1936 with a screening of <em>Follow the Fleet </em>with Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. Today it&#8217;s owned and run by Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation which reinvests commercial profits into charitable causes &#8211; so you are supporting the town and community with every ticket.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/The-box-cinema-hub-on-verulum-1000x667.jpg" alt="plush cinema seating" class="wp-image-79556" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/The-box-cinema-hub-on-verulum-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/The-box-cinema-hub-on-verulum-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/The-box-cinema-hub-on-verulum-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/The-box-cinema-hub-on-verulum.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Box at The Hub on Verulum</figcaption></figure>



<p>And check out the film club at <a href="https://tickets.thehubonverulam.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hub on Verulum</a> &#8211; there&#8217;s The Box, with private bar, reclining sofa seats with footrests and side tables, and shows everything from classic movies (including toddler and teen screenings) to documentaries and even live sporting events, while The Terrace is more specifically for the latter and aims to create a stadium-type atmosphere, and also hosts family friendly screenings, too. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="626" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/higgins-bedford-from-facebook-Fotor-1000x626.jpg" alt="The Higgins Bedford" class="wp-image-71753" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/higgins-bedford-from-facebook-Fotor-1000x626.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/higgins-bedford-from-facebook-Fotor-800x501.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/higgins-bedford-from-facebook-Fotor-839x525.jpg 839w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/higgins-bedford-from-facebook-Fotor.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Higgins Bedford</figcaption></figure>



<p>The baby sister of the major London attraction, <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/tring" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tring&#8217;s Natural History Museum</a> is a stunning building &#8211; once part of the infamous Rothschild family’s estate &#8211; and houses Walter Rothschild’s extensive private collection of taxidermy (look away now if you&#8217;re squeamish!). Entry is FREE, though donations are welcomed, and you can easily lose a couple of hours there.</p>



<p>Bedford&#8217;s key cultural hub, <a href="http://thehigginsbedford.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Higgins</a> combines the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery, Bedford Museum and Bedford Gallery under one umbrella. Philanthropist, Cecil Higgins, moved on from brewing to found the museum to house his collection of decorative arts and share it with the public and you&#8217;ll find a collection of different galleries showcasing local history and fine art, as well as kids&#8217; workshops.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Albans Museums</a> encompasses the Verulamium Museum, where you can discover the city&#8217;s Roman history and see the hypocaust mosaic, and the St Albans Museum + Gallery in the centre of town, the Clock Tower and the Sopwell Ruins. The Verulamium Museum has just been named amonsgt the top 10% attractions WORLDWIDE by TripAdvisor and you&#8217;ll find a packed programme of family friendly exhibitions, historical talks, local and international art and regular workshops at the Museum + Gallery. This summer you can see <a href="https://www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/whats-on/wonderful-world-ladybird-artists" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Wonderful World of Ladybird Artists</a> and a textile exhibition, <a href="https://www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/whats-on/passion-determination-vision" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Passion, Determination, Vision</a>, to name but two. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="480" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/08/2018-10-30-verulamium-217-copy-720x480.jpg" alt="the hypocaust mosaic verulamium st albans" class="wp-image-65635" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/08/2018-10-30-verulamium-217-copy-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/08/2018-10-30-verulamium-217-copy-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/08/2018-10-30-verulamium-217-copy-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/08/2018-10-30-verulamium-217-copy.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Hypocaust at the Verulamium Museum</figcaption></figure>



<p><a href="https://britishschoolsmuseum.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The British Schools Musuem</a> in Hitchin is housed in a Grade II listed former school, which was founded in 1810 (80 years before the government provided free elementary education). It&#8217;s a piece of hands-on local history that&#8217;s well worth a rainy day trip, plus there&#8217;s loads of kids&#8217; activities on over the summer as well as regular history talks for adults. </p>


Brollies up! Where to spend a rainy day in Herts & Beds

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