After months of restrictions, we can finally look forward to visiting some new places again this week.
Pubs and restaurants are open for outdoor business again and we can stop hiding our lockdown hair with barbers and hairdressers also given the green light to reopen.
Some leisure attractions unfortunately have to stay closed until at least May 17, but others can start welcoming visitors again this week.
So while some of these visits will need to be stay in the diary, there are some activities, subject to booking, that you can get involved in as we continue on the roadmap out of lockdown.
And in Watford, we're becoming a little spoilt for choice, with new attractions opening up and on the cards to open this year.
We've rounded up all of the fun attractions in our area and put them in one place to check out or revisit over the coming weeks and months.
Indoor karting
One of the area’s most eagerly anticipated new attractions last year was the new indoor go-karting track just outside Watford.
Teamsport’s track in Greatham Road in Bushey was only open for a matter of weeks, if not days, before lockdown restrictions kicked in – but the company has confirmed they are ready to go from tomorrow.
Visitors will have the opportunity to pit their wits against each other as they race around the track, and there’s even a spot of crazy golf thrown in.
On the way...
Escape Hunt
One of Watford’s brand new attractions which we understand isn’t too far from opening is Escape Hunt – dubbed the world's leading live escape the room & exit game entertainment experience.
People must work as a team to find clues, solve puzzles and complete challenges before the time runs out.
Play with friends and family or as a teambuilding exercise with work colleagues.
Once open, Escape Hunt can be found at Atria Watford shopping centre.
Puttshack
Another new addition to Atria Watford is set to be the indoor crazy golf attraction, Puttshack.
Described as a “tech-infused” mini-golf experience, Puttshack claims to have “rewritten” the rules on mini-golf.
Puttshack currently has three branches – two in London and one at Lakeside in Essex, and the company announced back in 2019 it would be opening a course and restaurant in Watford.
Little has been heard since, however Puttshack’s official Twitter account reassured an eager customer that a course in Watford is very much on the cards.
They tweeted on March 18 2021: “Hi James, Watford will open but I'm afraid we don't have a date at the moment due to some unforeseen delays. We will keep you posted on here though. Thanks, Rossi@Puttshack”.
Ninja Warrior
Last year, the sad news was revealed that indoor children’s play area Gambado’s would be closing permanently.
But the space will be brought back to life when adventure course Ninja Warrior opens to the public.
Based on the thrill of the ITV show, the course is designed to test your skills and strength as you take on an obstacle and assault course.
Ninja Warrior is set to open at Woodside Leisure Park this summer.
Some old favourites
Topgolf
So that’s a taste of what’s to come, but where are the other places that we love that we can’t wait to visit again?
There’s nowhere else to start than Topgolf; the darts inspired driving range involving micro-chipped golf balls has been providing entertainment for more than 20 years.
Although it’s gone global and has its headquarters in the USA, Topgolf was actually founded in Watford with its complex in Bushey Mill Lane opening in 2000.
Sprinkled across the course after large circles, like dartboards, and the smaller the target, the more points you get.
Topgolf has been up and running again since March 29, although it has not been serving food or drink.
Rock Up
The indoor climbing wall attraction opened at Atria Watford back in 2018 and has the green light to reopen from tomorrow.
With climbing walls towering over eight metres, it is time to reach new heights.
Try out the Rock Up the Twister, climb the Stairway to Heaven, or set a new record on the Speed Climb.
Cinema and Bowling
We’ve all missed a trip to the cinema or a night out bowling, and we'll have to wait a bit longer with cinemas and bowling alleys not set to reopen until at least May 17.
But we can remind you that we are spoilt for choice in Watford, with Hollywood Bowl and Vue cinema at Woodside Leisure Park, or head to Atria where you can find another Hollywood Bowl and Cineworld.
Laser Planet
This laser-tag attraction in The Parade is fun for all ages although there are no plans to reopen until May 17.
Laser-tag is a shooting sport where participants use infrared-emitting light guns to tag designated targets. Infrared-sensitive signalling devices are commonly worn by each player to register hits.
It's fast-paced and requires razor-sharp reactions.
Oxhey Park
This new outdoor park was allowed to open on March 29 but it is worth reminding riders and skateboarders of the new facility in Oxhey.
Thought to be one of the best of its kind in the country, the skate park proved a huge hit just before lockdown with its mix of ramps and street obstacles.
🥳 Oxhey Activity Park is now open! https://t.co/7BBENJJKRY
— Watford Council (@WatfordCouncil) September 7, 2020
🤸 Go wild and get fit in the great outdoors
🛹 Test your skills out at the new skate park
🏓 Brush up on your table tennis skills
☕ Enjoy the new river side café - @tasty_bean
📸 VJ Aerial Imaging pic.twitter.com/BLPZZ3vVcX
Nine of Herts
Nestled between Northwood and Rickmansworth, you’ll find Nine of Herts; a Footgolf venue.
Set on a golf course, participants must kick a football into a hole in as few shots as possible in this sport, which combines both the beautiful game and a spot of golfing.
And you don't need to be a professional footballer or golfer to have some great fun.
Willing to travel further out?
Jump-In in Borehamwood provides the perfect trampolining experience, with dodgeball and drop slides mixed in too.
Set inside a warehouse, the venue allows visitors to jump to their hearts content and even show off a few somersaults and other moves.
Planet Ice and the Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead provide the venues if you’re after a fix of winter sports.
The ice rink at Planet Ice opens fully to the public from May 17 but there are some limited opportunities, particularly for youngsters, from this month.
The Lost Jungle on the A41 between Elstree and Edgware is one of the best miniature golf courses around.
There are 36 holes of extreme adventure golf in total and it is dubbed as Europe’s largest.
There’s also the Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf complex just off the A1 in Borehamwood.
And finally, if you’ve got plenty of steam to let off after a tough few months, a bout of paintball may be exactly what you need.
The Bricket Wood Paintballing Centre is up and running from this week.
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