Overview
From Stevenage head for Knebworth and then onto Hatfield House. Call at Welwyn Garden City before leaving for open spaces of Lee Valley. Pause at Cheshunt before exploring Waltham Abbey. Explore Epping and Epping Forest before arriving in Hertford.
Stevenage
Fairlands Valley Park, 120 acres of parkland with an 11 acre lake offers a range of activities including kayaking, sailing and angling. The old town has a certain charm and host of restaurants and you can also visit the Stevenage Museum. Just outside Stevenage you can discover Benington Lordship Gardens.
Knebworth
The village of Knebworth is well known for Knebworth House, with its spectacular domes, gargoyles and turrets. Inside, enjoy the rooms and artefacts as you explore 500 years of history. Take a tour of the extensive gardens, dating from the 17th century and admire the deer grazing in the deer park. During the year the park hosts many events from Cool Britannia music to Geronimo a festival just for kids.
Welwyn Garden City
One of the country’s two garden cities, Welwyn Garden City has a buzzing town centre with a great shopping experience. Elsewhere visitors can take in the impressive Hatfield House – once the principal resident of Elizabeth I before becoming Queen, The Welwyn Viaduct, Mill Green Mill and the Welwyn Roman Baths.
Lee Valley
The wide open spaces of Lee Valley are a great place to explore and let off steam – there is a range of activities including ice skating, white water rafting, cycling, campsites, nature reserves and the 2012 Olympic venues.
Cheshunt
The largest of the Broxburne Valley towns, Cheshunt has a range of shops for the visitor to enjoy and the historic Churchgate area. Nearby you will discover the magnificent Cedars Park, complete with the remains of Theobalds Palace, a residence of James I.
Waltham Abbey
Just over the border in Essex, visitors can enjoy the market town of Waltham Abbey with a range of 16th century timber framed buildings and home to the impressive Waltham Abbey Church. Nearby you can discover the Royal Gunpowder Mills – drop in to explore the history gunpowder and rockets.
Epping
The magnificent Epping Forest is a chance to escape to the countryside and enjoy some peace and quiet. Visitors can drop in to the Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge or take in the nearby Copped Hall Georgian mansion.
Hertford
Hertford is an historic market town where the four rivers meet – the Lea, the Rib, the Beane and the Mimram. Visit Hertford to take in Salisbury Square and discover the story of historic Hertford Castle.