Are you up for trying out new experiences this year? If so, you’re in the right place, because Hertfordshire has a host of new things to offer. So whether you’re a family, a foodie or a film fanatic, we reckon you’ll find something to add to your ‘to do’ list this year.
Get your booking fingers at the ready…
Jaguar Jungle and Sun Bear Heights at Paradise Wildlife Park
Paradise Wildlife Park are thrilled to welcome back Kamul and Kedera to Jaguar Jungle which opened on the 1st of April. The big cats are back to lounging in the trees overlooking the Park and to celebrate their return, Paradise Wildlife Park will be hosting lots of fun events taking place outside Jaguar Jungle on 10th and 11th June, dedicated to raising vital funds and awareness for their selected charity, The Belize Project. The weekend will be part of your general admissions ticket, so grab your tickets now!
As well as seeing the return of Kamul and Kedera, the Park has also welcomed Kyra and Indera over the Easter holidays to their new habitat, Sun Bear Heights. Sun Bear Heights is the UK’s first Malaysian mixed habitat with mixed living areas as well as, individual habitats for the sun bears, binturongs and a new family of Asian small-clawed otters! Want to see what the amazing Sun Bear Heights is all about? Grab your tickets today!
Hatfield House Gin Foraging Experience
Test your gin making skills in Hatfield Park’s Gin Foraging Experience for two! Now whether you’re a pink gin and lemonade lover, enjoy a classic G&T or can’t get enough rhubarb gin and ginger ale, we’re sure you’ll enjoy the experience of creating your own gin, just as much as you love drinking it! During this experience you will explore the beautiful woodlands of Hatfield Park to forage botanicals and create your very own gin. You’ll leave the experience feeling like a gin connoisseur as you’ll learn all about the origins of gin and the distilling process with your guide and expert from Spirit of Hertfordshire. But it’s not over yet! Whilst your botanicals are distilled, enjoy a delicious lunch at the Coach House Kitchen before finishing the day with a tasting of your efforts and receive your very own 20cl personalised bottle of gin to take home.
The Vault at Ashridge House
Have you got a celebration coming up? Or perhaps you have an evening free to have a tipple after a busy day at work? Whatever the occasion, we’ve got just the place for you to unwind and relax. The Vault at Ashridge House is a renovated cocktail bar, which serves up locally sourced and seasonal ingredients, with signature cocktails that tells stories of the rich history of the house. With the perfect cosy interior and the chance to capture the sunset over the north lawn, this cocktail gem is a must-visit this summer!
Speaking of Ashridge House, have you heard? On May 19th you can enjoy an evening of dinner, drinks, dancing, and fireworks as you take to the grand hall for...you guessed it... their Masquerade Ball Experience!
Madhu's at The Grove
We’ve got just the thing for those looking for a new dining experience, so if you like your food to have a slight kick or a sprinkle of spice then Madhu’s restaurant at The Grove should be where you head next. With a team of talented chefs, serving up mouth-watering dishes which you can enjoy in the surroundings of the fully refurbished restaurant, it's the perfect spot to reflect The Grove’s royal heritage and nature with its beautiful textures and colours.
Discovering Hogwarts at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter
Brand new for the summer season you Harry Potter fans are going to want to listen up because you’re invited to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Explore Harry’s early years at Hogwarts where you’ll witness some of your favourite scenes brought to life, with the chance to step into the set of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone to witness over 400 floating candles decorate the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall. You’ll be let into a secret or two as you’re welcomed into one of Harry’s first experiences of magic; Professor Flitwick’s Charms class, where the iconic scene in which a young Harry, Ron and Hermione learn to master Wingardium Leviosa, where you’ll discover the filmmaking secrets behind the floating feathers…
2nd May – 4th September
Gifford's Circus at Home Farm Live
At Home Farm Live is kicking off the summer season with a sprinkle of magic and laughter, as they welcome Giffords Circus to the farm to wow visitors with their hilarious show directed by comedy genius Cal McCrystal. Expect to see a world of acrobats, jugglers, horses, musicians, dancers and Tweedy the Clown as you step into the magical tent this summer.
22nd June – 26th June 2023
New Exhibitions at Knebworth House
If a new exhibition isn’t on your list of new experiences to try this year, it certainly is now! Knebworth House are delighted to bring three exhibitions to their newly refurbished Exhibition Space; ‘Rock History’, ‘On Location at Knebworth House’ and ‘The Lytton Family in India’ which can all be accessed as part of the House, Park & Gardens tickets. So, if you’d like to hear the story about the epic stars that have played Knebworth Festivals since 1974, get behind the camera and discover where Knebworth House has appeared on the big screen or learn about the Lytton family’s connection with Indian history…then you’re in the right place.
Treasure Map Trails
Speaking of filming in Herts, we have just the thing for your little movie makers… Do you have a creative little one who is fascinated by filming? Then what if we told you Treasure Map Trails has a brand new guide to take readers on a movie-making journey around Hertfordshire, showing you how to create your own short films, with tips from the movie makers of the future…
