Stevenage is a lively town set in the Hertfordshire countryside and brimming with charm, from its pocket-sized local museum to the atmospheric Old Town. You can also tour historic mansions, walk in flower-strewn woodlands, relax at traditional country pubs and enjoy easy access to London.

Things to do

The Stevenage Museum showcases the town's colourful past with displays on Saxon knights, local artists and World War II veterans. You can also step back in time at St Nicholas Church, a Norman place of worship dating back to 1100 AD.

High Street is Stevenage's most atmospheric strip. It's lined with historic buildings housing cafes, gift stores and traditional British pubs. On weekends, the Old Town hosts a farmers market where you can pick up local produce, homemade preserves and artisan cheese.

Venture out of town to visit Knebworth House, a magnificent Tudor mansion topped by turrets, spires and stone gargoyles. Stroll around the beautifully landscaped grounds or attend one of the famous summer concerts, garden shows or antique fairs.

Visit Box Wood to explore the picturesque Hertfordshire countryside. The lush woodland is laced with gravel trails that wind through the forest and is home to deer, rabbits and woodpeckers. In spring, Box Wood is blanketed with bluebells and wildflowers.

Getting around

Stevenage is best explored on foot, especially in the Old Town. Rental cars let you explore the Hertfordshire countryside at your own pace. The town is around 50 kilometres north of central London. Trains run from Stevenage Station to London Kings Cross in 30 minutes.