Some Places To Visit Locally

To the North-West of Colney Heath is the historic town of St Albans with its magnificent Cathedral. A short walk from the cathedral is the Verulanium Museum and Roman Town. The museum has many Roman artefacts and the "town" is nearby in Verulanium Park where a Roman hypocaust and theatre are on display. Also a short walk from the Cathedral is St Albans Clock Tower

Another museum in St Albans is the St Albans Organ Theatre with its unusual collection of theatre and cafe organs. It is only open on Sunday afternoons from 14.15 to 16.30.

Very close to Colney Heath, in Coursers Lane, is Willows Farm Village where children can get up close and friendly with many types of farm animal.

Slightly further is the Mosquito Aircraft Museum located next to Salisbury Hall, on the B656, about a mile from the South end of Coursers Lane. Here, in 1939, the de Havilland Aircraft Company designed and built the Mosquito aircraft. Today there are many historic aircraft on display.

If you enjoy aircraft museums then you are in luck as there are many within an hour's drive of Colney Heath. Three of particular note are:

• The Imperial War Museum Duxford, located South of Cambridge, is one of the largest aircraft museums in Europe. It also has a large collection of tanks.
  
  
• Shuttleworth Collection, located 2 miles west of the A1 where it bypasses Biggleswade, has a collection of old aircraft and vintage vehicles. Nearby is the picturesque village of Old warden.
  
  
• Last, but not least, going towards London just off the A1 at Hendon is The Royal Air Force Museum which has free admission and free parking!

Returning closer to Colney Heath just off Junction 4 of the A1(M) is Stanborough Park and Lakes where a pleasant few hours can be spent walking around the lakes, watching the sailing and fishing or even trying your hand at rowing.

Nearby at Junction 4 of the A1(M) is a working watermill and associated Mill Green Museum at Mill Green in northeast Hatfield. The watermill is fully operational and can be seen milling corn every Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday. Admission is free.

Also in Hatfield, opposite the railway station, is Hatfield House with its historic house and beautiful gardens.

Slightly further North than Hatfield, a short distance from Junction 6 of the A1(M) is Welwyn Roman Baths. These were discovered when the A1(M) was being built and are actually located beneath the road. The site displays the remains of a Roman bathhouse and villa from 1700 years ago.

Continuing North to Junction 7 of the A1(M) is Knebworth House a Gothic mansion with beautiful gardens.

If you like visiting gardens then again you are well provided for. There is:

• Capel Manor Gardens and Estate, located not far from Junction 25 of the M25. There are extensive gardens together with animals and a stable yard. A number of shows, such as the Herts Heavy Horse Show, are staged there throughout the year.
  
  
• Close to Capel Manor is Myddelton House Gardens.
  
  
• The Royal National Rose Garden, located in St Albans, has recently been redeveloped and was reopened in summer 2007.

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