World of Dinosaurs

Dinosaur enthusiasts heading to Hertford will want to track down World of Dinosaurs, a roadside attraction that delivers exactly what it promises - life-sized models of prehistoric creatures scattered across its grounds. It's the kind of place that stops you in your tracks when you're driving past, mainly because a 30-foot T-Rex tends to do that.

The experience is fairly straightforward: you wander around outdoor exhibits, snap photos with the models, and kids get genuinely excited about standing next to a Brachiosaurus. The quality varies - some models are genuinely impressive, others look like they've weathered a few decades without much TLC. Allow a good hour, maybe 90 minutes if you've got little ones who want to examine every scale and tooth.

It works best for families with children aged 4-10, though history buffs might find it a bit thin on actual palaeontology. Teenagers will likely declare it cheesy within five minutes. Admission details are thin on the ground online, so ring ahead or check their site before you head out from Hertford - nothing worse than a 20-minute drive for something that's shut.

If you're camping at Lee Valley Caravan Park Dobbs Weir or Hertford Camping and Caravanning Club Site, this sits nicely as a half-day activity alongside proper walking in the Lee Valley. It's not essential to your trip, but if the weather's decent and you've got restless kids, it'll fill an afternoon without demanding too much effort.