Harry Potter World and elsewhere

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Hi,

Taking the family (3 kids 12, 10 & 9) to Harry Potter world in a couple of weeks. Flying into Luton (from Belfast) and staying in Watford. Arriving late on day 1, HP world at 5pm on day 2 and flying out again at 9 on day 3.
have hired a car but I am now questioning whether that was a good idea. I was looking at activities for day 2 and 3 that would match in with the key events (the HP world visits and the flight out) and am wondering whether a visit to London city would be the best bet and if so is a car not an inconvenience. The cost of hiring a car really surprised me and I don't want to do that and then end up on the train to London so that i don't have to worry about congestion charge and traffic jams.
I have looked at Whipsnade Zoo and its a possibility. But anyone got any other ideas on good activities around Watford or within a hours drive of there?

You'd be able to get a train from Luton into central London and then back out to Watford Junction. Then a cab from your hotel to Harry Potter. Watford has plenty of access to London - mainline and Met Line. I think it depends on how much time you want to save. My instinct is that travel from Luton to Watford would be quicker and easier in a car but any visits into London would be better, quicker and cheaper on the train or tube. I don't think I'm being much help here but I hope that you have a lovely trip.

If you want something nice to do on day 2 before HP world you could go to St Albans and wander around and visit the Abbey and Park. Loads of nice places to eat as well. It is quicker and easier to get to and less tiring than going into London if you have a busy evening planned. St Albans is easy to get to via car or cab or the Abbey Flyer trainline connects Watford to St Albans.

Near HP there is a Ninja Warriors ninjawarrioruk.co.uk/watford/
Cloud 9 inflatables in Hemel
cloud9leisure.com/gallery/
In watford town centre there's Bowling, indoor Neon golfing, escape rooms, Laser Tag

Natural History Museum in Tring which you can via overground train from Watford. Also at Jarman Park Hemel, there XC centre (biking/skateboarding) with a climbing wall, ice skating ring, down the road, there's an indoor snow centre which if its the right time you can have a go on the ringos (i flatable tyres down a slope)

Many thanks to you all for the replies. Will check all those suggestions out.

If you have a car you could drive to legoland windsor for the day

Thanks stressbucket1
Yes I looked at Legoland. I have no doubt the kids would be delighted to head there. I really want them to have good memories of the (short enough) trip but I had some worries about it

• Its expensive for the five of us
• I thought that since its the Easter break that it would be very busy and that means queues - and while I'm not fond of queues some other members of my family have even less patience than me. The thought of paying big money to spend hours in queues did not appeal.
• I was also worried that it would be a rush whether we went for it on day 2 (we have to be back in Watford for HP world by 5pm) or on day 3 (we have to be back in airport and have car dropped off by 7pm)

That's where I am with it anyway but I could be convinced otherwise...

Oxford is an easy 1 hour drive from Watford. I would do a Harry Potter walking tour in Oxford on day 2 before you go to HP World. Alternatively, you could do a full day there on day 3 and go to the Natural History Museum and other Oxford tourist attractions.

If they haven't been before, I would probably go to London on day 3 but don't drive. The train will be much quicker and the tickets will be cheaper than parking in Central London. You'll lose hours if you drive.

Thorpe Park is another idea for a day trip from Watford.

If you were thinking more along the lines of a zoo then the Paradise Wildlife Park isn't too far away and it isn't as big as Whipsnade so you could easily do it on day 2 before going to HP. Have fun whatever you decide - Warner Bros is amazing!

@Daisyhoney

If you were thinking more along the lines of a zoo then the Paradise Wildlife Park isn't too far away and it isn't as big as Whipsnade so you could easily do it on day 2 before going to HP. Have fun whatever you decide - Warner Bros is amazing!

Good idea, although it is about the same distance. It is a bit cheaper than Whipsnade but it's worth looking for 2 for 1 deals, adults go free, loyalty card vouchers etc eg National Rail/Kellogs. Whipsnade/ZSL tend to have more deals.

If you can run to it, the Whipsnade/ZSL/Paradise Park experiences are amazing eg feeding the meerkats or giraffes. You can even stay overnight in a "lodge" shed in Whipsnade or ZSL with private after hours zoo tours, dinner and breakfast, and free daytime entry to the zoo for about £100 per person.

I had thought that the final day would suit best for the Zoo at Whipsnade as its not that far away from Luton airport and we could hop across. I have nightmares about being too far away distance wise from the airport and underestimating the delays due to traffic. I would expect it would be busy on the roads since its a bank holiday weekend.
I dont want to change the subject as the suggestions and help here have been great so far but does anyone know if there are major delays in Luton airport atm? Airports elsewhere have seen huge delays getting through security