Fairlands Valley Splash Park

The splash park sits within Fairlands Valley, a proper outdoor space just east of Hitchin that's ideal if you've got kids who need to burn off energy without fuss. It's a water play area rather than a full theme park - think fountains, jets, and shallow pools designed for younger children to run through on warmer days. Nothing fancy, but on a sunny afternoon it does the job brilliantly and costs nothing to use.

Families with children under ten will get the most from this. Older kids might find it a bit basic after twenty minutes or so, but there's enough going on to keep the under-eights occupied for a solid hour. The surrounding valley has decent walking paths too, so you can easily combine a visit with a proper walk around the park itself. Bring a towel and a change of clothes - there are no facilities to speak of, and children will come out soaked.

It's free admission and operates during the warmer months, though exact seasonal dates aren't confirmed online. Best bet is to ring ahead or check the Hitchin council website before you travel. The location works well if you're based at one of the nearby glamping sites like Almshoe or the caravan parks at Jacks Hill or Church Farm Ardeley - all within a few miles. On a hot day it's a proper lifesaver, especially between visits to larger attractions in the area.