Hogwarts Express tours

The Hogwarts Express film set sits just outside Watford, where you can actually board the scarlet steam engine used in the Harry Potter films. It's not a theme park ride - you're walking through the real locomotive and a few carriages they've preserved, seeing the actual props and sets from production. Genuinely atmospheric if you're a Potter fan, though it's a fairly quick visit, maybe 45 minutes to an hour unless you're the type who photographs every detail.

This works best for families with children old enough to have watched the films, or die-hard franchise enthusiasts. Younger kids might find it a bit static and cramped. Adults without Potter experience will probably feel they've missed the point. You do need to book ahead and it costs money, though exact pricing varies by tour option.

Timing matters. Go on a weekday if you can - weekends and school holidays get rammed with coach parties. The surrounding area isn't particularly scenic, so don't expect it to anchor a week-long break. That said, if you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Heritage Park Homes at Bushey Hall is only three miles away, or Home Farm Glamping at 5.5 miles - it makes a decent half-day diversion. Pair it with Aldenham Country Park, which actually has space to stretch your legs and doesn't rely on nostalgia to entertain you.