Museums & places of interest

Nestled within the picturesque countryside lies an 800-year-old former royal residence that has stood the test of time. Ashridge House has witnessed centuries of history and has been home to kings, queens, and royalty alike.
Nowadays, this stunning residence has been repurposed as a public event venue, attracting people from all walks of life. Ashridge House boasts of hosting a wide range of... Read more

Baldock museum charts the changing fortunes of the modern market town, founded by the Knights Templar around 1148, on the site of an earlier Iron Age and Roman town. The museum also has changing displays exploring particular features of the town's history. Open: Wednesdays 11am-1pm, Sundays 2pm-4pm. The Museum is closed in mid-December, and re-opens on the first Sunday in March.

Visit the substantial remains of a strong and important motte-and-bailey cast, one of the oldest in England, dating from the 11th to 15th centuries, with surrounding walls, ditches and earthworks. Free entry. 10.00am-4.00pm (winter) 10.00am-6.00pm (summer)

The Bishop's Stortford Museum is housed in the original Victorian building which was the birthplace of Cecil Rhodes, financier and founder of diamond company De Beers. The museum houses a unique collection of artefacts about Rhodes and his life. Children will love playing the African instruments, using the dressing up box (which includes Victorian and African outfits), lighting up the rooms in the model of the Victorian house, doing some brass rubbing and finding out more about local history via the interactive touch screens. Free Entry.

Bletchley Park, once Britain's best kept secret, is now a heritage site and museum, with exhibitions, events and ever increasing visitor numbers. The Park's breathtaking Second World War Codebreaking successes helped shorten the war by around two years. The Bletchley Park Trust's mission is to preserve and develop Bletchley Park as a world-class museum, heritage site and education centre. ... Read more

It is over 200 years since the first "Monitorial School" in Hertfordshire opened in Dead Street, but which now has the more cheerful name of Queen Street. The furnished classrooms are open to the public and equipped to show the history of elementary education from pre-Victorian times to the late 1960s. Here young and old can enjoy going back to school, to a place where "Learning Comes to Life". ... Read more

For a First Class family day out, look no further than a Steaming Day at Buckinghamshire Railway Centre. Have a steam train ride with a real steam locomotive, enjoy a trip on our ride-on miniature railway, visit our magnificent Railway Museum, learn about the Travelling Post Office, watch the model trains and enjoy our stunning Visitor Centre with café, shop and vintage locomotive and carriages.

A great day out for families, with more than 30 rescued historic buildings to explore, including an Iron Age roundhouse, 1940s prefab, Blacksmith's forge, Victorian tollhouse and tin chapel, nestled in 45 acres of woods and parkland. There are plenty of opportunities to dress up, play with historic toys and games, build models of the barns and lots of space to run around and discover.

The birthplace of the de Havilland DH98 Mosquito and also the oldest aircraft museum in the UK. Opening times: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays 10:30am - 5pm (last entry to museum 4pm)-get up close and into most of our aircraft exhibits. Open now until 10th November when it closes for winter until February.

Discover Children's Story Centre is a place where children and their families can enjoy playing, learning and making up stories together. Let your imagination run wild at the UK's first Story Centre For 0-11 year olds and their grown-ups. Your Session gives you entry to our Story World and Story Garden for two hours. On top of your Session Pass you can book entry onto one additional event (storytelling... Read more