A couple of weeks back at your desk and already yearning to pack a bag and break away from the hustle and bustle for a couple of days? We feel you!
With brilliant beer, boutique stays, and big birthdays, there are plenty of things to look forward to in Herts over the next 12 months, so dust off the diary and start planning your day trip adventures and mini-breaks now. And make sure you keep an eye on the Visit Herts website and social media channels for up to date news of what's on in 2018 - there might even be a few competitions too...
To get you started, here are seven new openings and exciting events taking place this year.
New Gallery and Museum for St Albans: Stunning St Albans has a remarkable history and some outstanding stories to tell. This spring, the St Albans Town Hall will open its doors to a newly transformed museum and gallery. The museum will be a state-of-the-art space which will tell the fascinating history of St Albans and its importance to national heritage.
Mad Squirrel Brewery, Tap & Bottle Shop: Last autumn Mad Squirrel Brewery moved into a brand new site at Potten End, Hertfordshire. The Brewery and Tap & Bottle Shop which sit at the same site are now officially open to the public. With brewery tours now available, as well as a fantastic food offering at their artisan pizza kitchen, the brewery is well worth a visit. Cheers!
Photo: @paradisewildlifepark on Instagram
World Of Dinosaurs, Coming to Paradise Wildlife Park: Set in the beautiful surroundings of Broxbourne Woods, Paradise is the leading zoo in Europe, with over 400 exotic wild animals and over 30 pre-booked exotic animal experiences. And this spring, Paradise will also become home to one of the UK's largest permanent Animatronic Dinosaur displays.
Lawn House at Hatfield House: Boutique guest house, the Lawn House, opened its doors for guests during winter 2017. Comprising of 15 boutique bedrooms, this new accommodation offering is the perfect location for wedding parties, special getaways or simply a warm, welcoming base for visitors exploring the beautiful grounds of Hatfield House.
Celebrate Walter Rothschild's 150th Birthday at The Natural History Museum, Tring: February 2018 marks the 150th birthday of British eccentric and zoologist Lionel Walter Rothschild. Rothschild founded The Natural History Museum, Tring which remains one of the largest private natural history collections ever assembled. Join The Natural History Museum, Tring in February as they celebrate this very special event with a host of activities.
Hotel Cromwell in Stevenage Completes Refurbishment: Comprised of 77 individually designed bedrooms and suites and a range of entertainment spaces, Hotel Cromwell in the centre of Stevenage Old Town has recently completed its impressive refurbishment. Alongside a full bedroom refurbishment, the hotel also has a brand new food offering in the form of Rump and Wade, a British brasserie with former Hanbury Manor chefs, Alfie Smith and Carl Wick, at the helm.
Watford shopping centre extension and redevelopment: Work is well underway in Watford as part of a £180 million town centre redevelopment project. The impressive development, due to open this summer, aims to turn Watford into a first class retail, dining and leisure destination bringing new fashion, beauty, food and leisure stores, and a brand new nine screen IMAX Cineworld cinema.