Car Hire London Colney

London Colney, with its population of approximately 10,000 residents, sits perfectly positioned in Hertfordshire between St Albans and the M25. The A414, A1081 and M25 provide excellent connectivity to this charming area, making it easily accessible for day trips and extended visits. Spring brings beautiful blossoms to the parks and gardens, summer offers perfect conditions for outdoor activities, autumn displays stunning colours across the woodlands and winter provides crisp days ideal for museum visits and indoor attractions.

London Colney boasts the renowned de Havilland Aircraft Museum celebrating the area’s aviation heritage with an impressive collection of aircraft including original Mosquito bombers, whilst Willows Activity Farm provides family entertainment with animals, adventure play areas and seasonal events.

Attractions In London Colney

Strategic location brings together outlet shopping opportunities, local history museums and easy access to both St Albans’ Roman heritage and the recreational facilities of the nearby River Colne valley.

Willows Activity Farm

This beloved family destination on Coursers Road in St Albans maintains constant accessibility throughout the year, earning its impressive 4.5 rating from over 1,900 delighted visitors. The attraction blends traditional farm experiences with modern playground facilities, though some guests note the emphasis leans more towards recreational activities than livestock viewing. Interactive shows, including cow milking demonstrations and Peter Rabbit performances, run at specific times daily.

Highfield Park

Highfield Park is an extensive and highly valued community green space, formerly the historic grounds of Highfield Hospital. Managed by a dedicated trust, the park offers over 80 acres of open meadows, mature woodland and a developing arboretum. It remains a significant local feature, notably featuring the historic clock tower from the original institution. This popular park provides essential space for recreation and peaceful contemplation near London Colney.

Napsbury Park

Napsbury Park is an appealing expanse of green space established on the former grounds of the historic Napsbury Hospital. Situated near London Colney, the park retains much of the original, extensive landscaping and mature trees, now set within a notable residential development. It offers a generous area for public use and features various footpaths that provide quiet recreational opportunities while subtly reflecting its significant past as a major county institution.

Monks Meadow

Monks Meadow designates a stretch of tranquil, low-lying grassland and wetland near the River Colne, highly valued for its natural environment. This area serves as an important local flood plain and is crucial for supporting diverse flora and wetland bird species throughout the year. It offers a genuine sense of rural Hertfordshire, providing a peaceful escape for local walkers and conservationists seeking to observe nature in an unspoiled setting.

Winchfield Wood

Winchfield Wood is a substantial and historically important area of ancient woodland situated close to London Colney. This managed habitat is particularly celebrated for its magnificent seasonal display of bluebells, marking it as a favoured destination for spring walkers. The wood is crisscrossed with well-maintained public footpaths, providing excellent opportunities for quiet immersion in a mature forest environment and supporting valuable local woodland ecology.

Albans Lakes

Albans Lakes is a highly regarded complex of purpose-built water bodies situated near London Colney, primarily known as a premium venue for carp and coarse fishing. The site comprises several large, well-stocked lakes that attract anglers from across the region. While its function is largely commercial, the extensive waters and surrounding landscape also provide a valuable, managed environment for local waterfowl and serve as a popular setting for outdoor leisure.

Exploring the surrounding areas becomes effortless with these nearby destinations:

• Radlett
• Borehamwood
• Bricket Wood
• South Mimms
• Brookmans Park
• Garston
• Potters Bar
• St Albans

De Havilland Memorial

The De Havilland Memorial stands as a key monument acknowledging the immense aviation heritage of the nearby Hatfield Aerodrome site. This memorial specifically commemorates the thousands of skilled workers and the iconic aircraft, such as the Mosquito and the Comet, that were developed and built by the De Havilland Aircraft Company. It serves as a necessary and poignant reminder of the significant contribution this local area made to 20th-century British aerospace engineering.

De Havilland Aircraft Museum

Operating Tuesday through Sunday from 10:30 AM until 4 PM at Salisbury Hall, this exceptional aviation museum has earned a stellar 4.7 rating from over 1,300 enthusiastic visitors. The collection spans multiple hangars and outdoor displays, with highlights including walkthrough access to a Comet fuselage and interactive exhibits like flight simulators and Morse code stations. Knowledgeable volunteer staff, many former factory workers, provide fascinating insights during typical 90-minute visits through the comprehensive aircraft collection.

Park Street Historical Sign Post

Park Street’s heritage marker at 101 Park Street provides historical context for this significant area, surrounded by picturesque small lakes, grasslands and walking paths. The nearby car park offers convenient access for visitors wanting to explore the surrounding countryside on warm, sunny days. This location serves as an excellent starting point for longer walks through the local landscape and lake areas.

Allan Williams Gun Turret

This historical defensive structure along the A414 represents important Second World War heritage, demonstrating the coastal and inland defence preparations undertaken during wartime Britain. The gun turret provides tangible evidence of the extensive fortification networks established across strategic locations. You’ll find that this landmark offers insight into the practical measures taken to defend key transport routes during the conflict period.

Mad Science

Alexander Road in London Colney houses this innovative education centre, operating weekdays from 10 AM to 3 PM for hands-on science learning experiences. Children participate in weekly experimental activities using common household items, with each participant taking home their creations after every session. The dedicated instructors focus on inspiring young minds through practical science exploration, making learning both educational and entertaining for developing minds.

Apollo Activities Centre

Old Parkbury Lane’s recreation centre specialises in archery instruction and various outdoor activities, with experienced instructors providing comprehensive guidance for beginners and experienced participants alike. The facility maintains high-quality equipment and occupies an ideal location for outdoor pursuits. First-time visitors consistently praise the clear instruction methods and comfortable learning environment that make trying new activities both safe and enjoyable.

Moor Mill – 18th Century Water Mill

This historic water mill on Moor Mill Lane in Colney Street represents authentic 18th-century industrial heritage, showcasing traditional milling techniques and machinery from a bygone era. The preserved mill structure provides insights into historical grain processing methods and the role of water power in pre-industrial communities. We recommend visiting this attraction to understand how local communities once relied on such mills for essential food production.