British Schools Museum, Queen Street, HitchinSee how education
evolved at this unique site, which contains the only Lancasterian
schoolroom still left in the world, where once 330 boys were taught
by one master and a team of monitors.
The site also features a galleried classroom which is now used for
regular Victorian lessons for visiting schoolchildren as well as
other rooms showing different periods of education including Edwardian
and post war. The headmaster’s house, where Mr Fitch brought
up five children, has been lovingly restored to show visitors how
a 19th Century home was run and there is a family trail, small museum,
guided walks and a cafe.
01462 420144, www.hitchinbritishschools.org.uk.
Dinosaur Trail, Knebworth HouseTake a walk that’s definitely
on the wildside when you meet a Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Woolly Mammoth
and a sabre-toothed tiger in the Wilderness Gardens at Knebworth
House.
More than 70 giant dinosaurs, painted in natural colours, have been
set among the redwoods and rhododendrons along with information
boards about the exhibits.
Knebworth House also features a miniature railway, bouncy castle
and fort.
01438 812661, www.knebworthhouse.com.
Hitchin Museum, Paynes Park A tonsil guillotine, leeches and a machine
for administering electric shocks are among the more unusual exhibits
to be found in Hitchin Museum’s Victorian chemist’s
shop, preserved in its original condition.
The shop is just one of the attractions at the museum which also
houses an extensive costume collection, items about the town’s
history and changing exhibitions as well as a regular programme
of events.
01462 434476, www.north-herts.gov.uk
First Garden City Heritage Museum, Norton Way South,
Letchworth Garden City The pioneers who established the world’s
first garden city in 1903 are remembered in this special museum,
which receives visitors and scholars from across the world. Displays
focus on the social history of the town and the Garden City movement.
01462 482710, www.letchworthgc.com
Letchworth Museum and Art Gallery, Broadway Permanent displays at
this town centre museum feature wildlife including the town’s
famous black squirrel and archaeological exhibits, many dating from
Celtic and Roman times. There is a programme of exhibitions in two
galleries.
01462 685647, www.north-herts.gov.uk
Letchworth Arts Centre, The Arcade This large and airy exhibition
area also includes a cafe and is the regular venue for musical events
as well as exhibitions, workshops and classes for both adults and
children.
01462 670788, www.placearts.org
Royston Cave, Melbourn Street
 Legend
has it that the Knights Templar, warrior monks who protected the
Holy Land, carved out and decorated this mysterious Medieval cave
but its actual origins remain obscure. It was hidden under the centre
of the town for centuries and is now open at limited times.
01763 245484, www.roystoncave.com
Royston and District Museum, Lower King Street Attractions at this
interesting town museum include displays of archaeology, local history,
ceramics and changing exhibition programme.
01763 242587, www.roystonmuseum.org.uk
Standalone Farm, Wilbury Road, Letchworth Garden City This 170-acre
site is home to cattle, pigs, sheep, poultry and shire horses as
well as featuring play and picnic areas and a shop. Displays in
the exhibition barn include 70 bird specimens, animal skulls, model
dinosaurs and a working beehive.
Hides have been built so birds can be seen without disturbing them
and there are farm walks past grazing animals and paddocks.
01462 686775, www.standalonefarm.com
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