Stevenage

In the heart of the county and just 20 minutes from London, the district of Stevenage offers visitors a timeless mix of heritage, retail therapy and exciting events for everyone to enjoy.

FAIRLANDS VALLEY PARK

The jewel in the crown of Stevenage is Fairlands Valley Park. Once voted as one of the UK’s leading free visitor attractions, Fairlands Valley Park consists of 120 acres of beautiful parkland situated within the heart of Stevenage. The Sailing Centre adjacent to the 11 acre sailing lake is used for the centre’s dinghies, canoeing, kayak, windsurfing, powerboat courses, and angling. The centre also runs many land-based courses and activities such as boards & buggies, grass sledging, orienteering, mountain biking and power kiting. For the jogging enthusiast, keeping fit is a pleasure on the Trim Track.

The Park
Built in the early 1970’s the Park has over 20 acres of open water across four linked lakes. The park also has 2 equipped children’s play areas, Aqua Park, showground, woodland, grassland, section of town-wide horse & pony route, sailing centre and café, orienteering trail and trim track.

History
It is believed that Fairlands takes its name from the ‘Fairlane’ which used to run almost due south linking Shephall (to the South) with Pin Green (to the North)

STEVENAGE TOWN CENTRE

Stevenage has launched a major, 20-year, £1bn regeneration programmed designed to transform what it offers to current and future residents and to make Stevenage into a place where people want to live, work and play.

The regeneration is formed of a number of separate schemes including SG1 and Queensway and promises to introduce a range of new retail, residential and leisure opportunities to the town centre.

Stevenage is home to a series of major, international organisations including MBDA, Airbus and GSK. It offers a unique balance of urban and rural living and provides fantastic transport links to London and beyond in just 20 minutes.

Stevenage is known to many as the UK’s ‘Space City’. Incredibly, nearly a quarter of the satellites orbiting the Earth were built in Stevenage and in 2016, Tim Peake controlled the ExoMars Rover from Airbus’ base on Gunnels Wood Road.

STEVENAGE OLD TOWN

Stevenage old town keeps the authentic feel of Stevenage. For quaint and unique shops, step into the old town, not too far a walk from the main train station. It is filled with a variety of restaurants and hosts a great night life; you are sure not to be disappointed.

Download a map of the Old Town produced by the Business and Community Partnership

STEVENAGE MUSEUM

On a wooded hill in North Hertfordshire, a small community gathered in Saxon times and began to settle on the land where Stevenage now stands. Stevenage Museum has a collection of over 18,000 photographs and 10,000 objects detailing its history. The museum is underneath St. Andrew and St. George’s church on St George’s Way and is well signposted from the town centre for pedestrians. They hold a wide range of events throughout the year for families, children and adults.

KNEBWORTH HOUSE

Step back in time with a trip to the stunning Knebworth House with its turrets, domes and gargoyles silhouetted against those beautiful Hertfordshire skies. As you enter the house, you'll be treated to architecture, collections, and stories that make the house so iconic - and make clear why its starred in many on screen moments!

Located just outside of Stevenage, this beautiful house dates back far further than its Victorian decoration would have you believe. Knebworth has also been a popular location for a number of internationally known music festivals to date. The 28 acre formal gardens include a maze, colourful borders, fine trees and a wilderness area with an exciting dinosaur trail – it’s easy to see why Knebworth is the home of the annual Hertfordshire Garden Show.

PERFECT BENINGTON

Head four miles east of Stevenage and you’ll stumble across the Benington Lordship Gardens , nestled in the picture perfect village of Benington. Seven acres of unspoilt views surround a gorgeous Georgian manor house with remains of a Norman castle and moat. Wander the grounds and enjoy the sights and smells of seasonal flower displays, a Victorian Folly, a Kitchen Garden, contemporary sculptures, a carp pond, and a spectacular rose garden. A number of events are held throughout the year including the unmissable Chilli Festival, which is sure to add a little extra heat to your summer.

Find out more about Stevenage by visiting them on their social media channels, or on the Stevenage Town Centre website.

See here for more information on Stevenage Borough Council.