Herts &amp; Beds


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-undercover-action">UNDERCOVER ACTION</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/2/2026/02/Skatepark-1000x667.jpg" alt="Skate ramp at Hemel Hempstead" class="wp-image-93939" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/Skatepark-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/Skatepark-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/Skatepark.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Want to get the adrenaline pumping? Have a go at climbing, bouldering 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. Or why not chill out at <a href="https://www.thesnowcentre.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Snow Centre</a>, also in Hemel &#8211; embrace the cold with a skiing or snowboarding lesson or ride a Downhill Donut (that&#8217;s a giant inflatable ring) down the slide. And over at the Luton Hoo Estate, you can enjoy one-to-one, or small group (up to 3), ski instruction on the slope at <a href="https://inpiste.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">InPiste</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Let you little ones run, bounce and hop wild at <a href="https://inflatacity.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Inflatacity</a> in Ware. A fun inflatable park, it&#8217;s got the lot from an inflatable climbing wall to  six metre slide. Plus there&#8217;s an indoor football pitch, games arcade and under 5s soft play area. Gladiators eat your heart out! 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. Minimum age 5+.  </p>



<p><a href="https://www.mrmulligan.com/hemel" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mulligans</a> (also in Hemel) offers crazy golf, electro darts, VR games, pool and ping pong. Their date night offers include a game of crazy golf, and two drinks per person for £35 per couple. Romantic? You decide. </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 or the <a href="https://wareescaperooms.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Escape Rooms in Ware</a>. 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/2/2026/02/rOXYcINEMAbs-1000x667.jpg" alt="Roxy Movies Bishop's Stortford" class="wp-image-93947" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/rOXYcINEMAbs-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/rOXYcINEMAbs-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/rOXYcINEMAbs.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Roxy Movies in Bishop&#8217;s Stortford</figcaption></figure>



<p>What better way to spend a rainy day than at an indie arthouse complete with retro décor, good movies, bars, food and more. Our faves include Art Deco venues, <a href="http://therexberkhamsted.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Rex</a>, in Berkhamsted, it 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 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! <a href="https://www.broadway-letchworth.com/cinema/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Broadway Cinema</a> in Letchworth Garden City is another Art Deco gem as is newcomer <a href="https://www.roxymovies.co.uk/bishops-stortford-cinema" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Roxy Movies </a>in Bishop&#8217;s Stortford.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-historical-houses">HISTORICAL HOUSES </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/2/2026/02/wrestPark1500x1000-1000x667.jpg" alt="Wrest Park" class="wp-image-93940" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/wrestPark1500x1000-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/wrestPark1500x1000-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/wrestPark1500x1000.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Wrest Park</figcaption></figure>



<p>What better time to have a snoop around some posh pads than on a rainy day? Okay, <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 may be famous for its stunning gardens but did you know it was also used as a filming location in the Netflix hit <em>Bridgerton</em>? Yup, this glorious 18th century mansion doubled as the home of the Fuller family. So when it&#8217;s chucking it down outside, you can make like Viscountess Bridgerton herself and step inside for a Behind The Scenes tour. Take a peek at the Coal Store, Butlers Pantry, Butchers Yard and more. Tours take place on a first-come first-served basis so arrive early to avoid missing out. </p>



<p><a href="https://hatfield-house.co.uk/explore/the-old-palace/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Old Palace</a> at Hatfield House was built in the 15th century by the Bishop of Ely, and is open to the public on certain dates. Take a look inside and marvel at the medieval brickwork, original roof timbers and Banqueting Hall. And here&#8217;s a fun fact: Henry VIII used this space as a nursery for his three children. Lucky them. Entry £8pp. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-museums-and-galleries">MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES</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/2/2026/02/NturalMuseumTring1500x1000-1000x667.jpg" alt="Natural History Museum Tring" class="wp-image-93941" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/NturalMuseumTring1500x1000-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/NturalMuseumTring1500x1000-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/NturalMuseumTring1500x1000.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Natural History Museum, Tring</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> has recently been crowned UK&#8217;s top hidden gem &#8211; and it&#8217;s easy to see why. Home to Walter Rothschild’s extensive private collection of taxidermy it also runs exhibitions and events throughout the year. Entry is FREE, though donations are welcomed.</p>



<p>Bedford&#8217;s key cultural hub, <a href="https://www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk/Home.aspx" 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 found the museum to house his collection of decorative arts and to share it with the public. Go and you&#8217;ll find various 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. Named as one of the top 10% attractions worldwide, you&#8217;ll find a packed programme of family friendly exhibitions, historical talks, local and international art and regular workshops at the Museum + Gallery. </p>



<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 holidays as well as regular history talks for adults. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more-try-these">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE? TRY THESE:</h3>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/april-events-whats-on-hertfordshire-bedfordshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">April antics! 20+ local things to see and do this month</a></li>



<li><a href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/for-kids/childs-play/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">6 brilliant sports classes for active tots in Herts &amp; Beds</a></li>



<li><a href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/arts-culture-things-to-do/outdoor-art-sculpture-walks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Where to see outdoor sculptures in Herts &amp; Beds </a></li>
</ul>


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

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