Queen Mother Theatre

Hitchin's Queen Mother Theatre is a proper working playhouse right in the heart of town - the sort of place that actually programmes theatre rather than touring endless tributes and jukebox musicals. You'll find everything from amateur dramatics to professional productions, comedy nights, and the occasional film screening. The venue itself is compact and friendly, with that unmistakable smell of old theatre - part velvet, part anticipation.

It's the kind of space that rewards regulars more than casual droppers-in. If you're into live performance and want to catch what the locals are actually watching rather than what some chain theatre corporation thinks you should see, it's worth checking their listings. The programme shifts constantly, so what's on matters far more than the building itself.

Hitchin's a decent market town to base yourself if you're using one of the nearby caravan parks - Jacks Hill or Almshoe Glamping are just down the road, while Henlow Bridge Lakes offers lakeside pitches if you fancy something slightly more scenic. An evening show here works nicely as part of a broader day out, though I'd confirm what's actually playing before planning your trip. Call ahead or check online - the theatre knows its audience and won't waste your time, but you do need to know what you're walking into. Allow two to three hours including a pre-show drink at one of Hitchin's decent pubs.