Sample real ale in the Chilterns
As well as being well connected to London, this handsome Hertfordshire town boasts its own great attractions and hidden treasures. Tring Brewery is known for its award-winning ales. Try wonderfully named beers such as Side Pocket for a Toad, Death or Glory and Moongazer in local pubs, or visit the brewery shop to sample beer fresh from the cask.
Visit Tring Natural History Museum
A spin-off of its larger London cousin, this Victorian 'Noah's Ark' has everything from tiny preserved insects to a grinning polar bear and giant tortoise. And it's free. It's the private collection of former MP and zoologist Walter Rothschild, who kept an incredible array of live animals in the grounds around the museum and Tring Park.
Walk on the wild side at Whipsnade Zoo
Slightly further afield, the UK's biggest zoo is home to more than 2,500 animals. Admire the lions of the Serengeti, watch sea lions show off and surround yourself with hundreds of exotic butterflies. The Passage Through Asia is a large paddock with camels, yak and deer roaming free. You can drive through it or take the Jumbo Express. Looking for a cheap hotel Near Tring? Travelodge Aylesbury is a 15-minute drive from the town, and perfect for exploring the Chilterns. Travelodge Hemel Hempstead is also close by.