Things to do near Leavesdon

[FOFONAR]

We are staying in Leavesdon for 5 days and were looking for things to do, particularly for two potential half days. Things we have so far include:

harry potter studio tour
London on the train - may make this two days
Lego land - may book the groupon for this unless there are cheaper offers.

We will be travelling to and from Yorkshire so could do something en route too if anyone has any suggestions of places to book an additional night at a different location.

TIA

[FOFONAR]

Should have said, we have two dc age 6 and 7.

[chairmeoh]

Will you have a car?
Willows Farm is close by (a couple of junctions round M25) and is great. Quite pricey, but a full day out.
Or langleybury farm is closer and cheaper, but much smaller. Will fill a couple of hours, but cafe (last time I went) was pretty poor so take your own picnic.
St. Albans and Watford have great parks, including splash pools.

[mrsmortis]

If you have a car:
Whipsnade Zoo
Waddesden Manor (NT house that used to belong to the Rothschild family) - if you want to stay an extra night the five arrows hotel at the entrance to the estate is really nice and if you stay there entrance is free to the grounds at least
The Zoological Museum at Tring (owned by the natural history museum and full of stuffed animals, the childrens trails are really good)
Beckscott model village
Verulanium Roman Museum in St Albans and a visit to the Abbey church.

[FOFONAR]

Thank you, yes we will have a car. Will have a look at everything. Already had a look at whipsnade but the parking was £22!!!

[mrsmortis]

Fofonar - you don't want parking for Whipsnade - it's huge and you take the car in. There's a bit that's like a safari park which you drive through.

[gloriafloria]

Butterflyworld - great day out and very close by. near St. Albans
Aldenham Country Park - Lovely place close to spend an afternooon an again not very far from Leavesden

[mewkins]

Parking isn't 22 quid at Whipsnade! That's to take your car inside. If you park in the normal carpark it is either free or about a fiver. You can use tesco clubcard vouchers to get in if you have any.

[FOFONAR]

Oh, read the parking charges again and this makes sense now!!

Thank you for the tips, still haven't decided on whether to drive straight down and do something down there or find an activity to break the journey up.

Also, which train station would you recommend travelling to and from to get to the London attractions??

Northern novice, haven't been to London since school.

TIA

[Rivercam]

St Albans has the cathedral, and Roman museum and remains. Also has a market twice a week.

The museum at Tring is great for a wet day.

Whipsnade is a good zoo. Also, Woburn Safari park is not too far away. Woburn also has a lovely stately home and estate.

Milton Keynes is a bit further up the M1. Has a good indoor shopping centre. Also,has Xscape which has an indoor real snow ski and toboggan centre - another good wet weather activity.

There's football at Luton, Watford and MK.

[mewkins]

I think Hemel station is a fairly quick route into London. I think there is an Enjoy Dacorum website with other visitor attractions - might be useful?