Stanburn Blast Shelter

The corrugated iron shelter wedged into the hillside near Borehamwood is one of those attractions that catches you off guard. Stanburn Blast Shelter is a preserved WWII refuge - basically what it looked like when families crammed inside during air raids, minus the actual sirens and terror. You descend into the earth, past the entrance fortified with sandbags, and suddenly you're in someone else's emergency from eighty years ago. The shelter itself isn't huge, but the cramped quarters drive home how ordinary people endured extraordinary fear.

Historians will find it properly worthwhile. The shelter shows how quickly defence infrastructure was cobbled together across Britain - this isn't some grand military installation, just a practical concrete and steel box dug into Hertfordshire soil. Kids aged eight and up generally find it interesting rather than frightening, though it's undeniably dark and claustrophobic. Younger children might struggle with the tight spaces and lack of natural light.

Allow 30-45 minutes if you want to look around properly and read the information boards. It's free, which is generous. The location works well if you're staying at Heritage Park Homes near Bushey - only 4.5 miles away - and combining it with a proper walk through the surrounding countryside makes for a solid afternoon. Winter's actually the best season; summer school holidays mean it can feel quite crowded in the narrow passages. Visit midweek if you can.