East Herts Miniature Railway

A narrow-gauge railway running through the Hertfordshire countryside sounds like the sort of thing that appeals only to train enthusiasts in anorak coats, but the East Herts Miniature Railway is genuinely worth an afternoon if you're staying nearby. The trains are proper miniature - you'll actually fit inside them, though you'll be crouching a bit - and the track winds through decent countryside just east of Hertford.

It's fundamentally a family thing, and children under about eight will get the most out of it. There's something almost hypnotic about pottering along on these tiny trains at walking pace, watching the Hertfordshire landscape roll past. Adults, if I'm honest, tend to find it charming rather than thrilling - the novelty wears off after the first circuit. Allow an hour maximum, including the queue to board.

Based nearby, you've got some solid options. The Hertford Camping and Caravanning Club Site is just two miles away and rated highly, making it a natural home base. Toad Abode, four miles off, and The Wild Retreat at Redricks Lake both work if you want something slightly more removed. The railway slots nicely into a broader Hertfordshire park holiday - it's not a standalone destination, but it's the sort of rainy-day backup or half-day activity that stops campers getting restless.

Check opening hours and admission prices locally before committing, as these details aren't widely advertised online.