Parks and the outdoors in Stevenage

Parks and the outdoors in Stevenage

1. Drink

   Chequers

   Chequers is a nice pub and is probably the best bet if you're looking for more than a drink. It's an old pub with character, set back from the busy A602 right on the southern edge of the town. This gives the area a slightly villagey feel. The pub is a short walk from Van Hage's Garden Centre.

2. See

   Knebworth House

   This house is one of the greatest stately homes in Britain, and the site has been home to the Lytton family since 1490. Charles Dickens used to stay here often. Former owner Edward Bulwer Lytton wrote many historical novels including The Last Days of Pompeii. Many films have used its fantastic exteriors and Tudor great hall. Nowadays the estate comprises the Gothic mansion, gardens, deer park, church, mausoleum and playground & railway (Fort Knebworth). It is very popular with local families. The house is also famous for hosting a huge Robbie Williams concert a few years ago. Other major acts that have performed at Knebworth House park over the years include: the Rolling Stones, Oasis, Manic Street Preachers, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and the Chemical Brothers.

   Open July & August: Grounds open 11AM-5:30PM, House open midday-5PM.·Adults £13.00, £9.50 excluding house

3. See

   The Manor House

   Manor House not open to public but the Lane is open all year all day. The Manor House is on a quiet lane which is an enclave of the Chells Manor housing estate. The secluded lane has a lovely duck pond, several nice houses, a few old cottages and the manor house itself. Chells Lane is a reminder that not that long ago Chells Manor was only a tiny hamlet in the middle of the countryside, not a housing estate that is home to 5-10,000 people. If you are visiting Chells Lane, Box Wood (about a 15-minute walk away) is also worth a look. The Manor House is a private residence, as are all the other houses.

   Free

4. Do Not mapped

   Fairlands Valley Park

   Fairlands Valley Park (fondly referred to as 'Fairlands Valley', 'Fairlands', 'The Lakes' or simply 'the Park' by locals) is a lovely 120-acre park in the centre of Stevenage. As well as providing a beautiful place to walk and play, it has an 11-acre sailing lake. Fishing, sailing, rowing, canoeing, windsurfing and orienteering are the sports that are on offer. There are charges for each sport. Of course, you can play a game of football or frisbee in the park for free. There are also a couple of shallow paddling pools by the large play area.

5. Do Not mapped

   Great Ashby Country Park

   The fairly quiet and secluded Great Ashby Country Park really is a hidden gem. It has a large circular field area in the centre for games of football, cricket, kite flying, frisbee, picnics etc., an access only road, a small car park, two extensive play areas full of excellent play equipment and a mound on its eastern edge (this has beautiful views of the surrounding countryside and woodland). There are also several paths. And all this is set in lovely, undulating countryside, surrounded by trees and opposite Box Wood.

6. Buy Not mapped

   The Westgate Indoor Shopping Centre

   And the surrounding pedestrianised area has over 30 shops, such as Topshop, Next, River Island, New Look, Marks and Spencer, Dorothy Perkins. This pedestrianised area is Britain's first pedestrianised shopping area.There are also two coffee shops; the highly recommended Esquires Coffee House in the Westgate Indoor Shopping Centre and a brand new branch of Costa Coffee to serve the shoppers. If you wish to shop in this area the best car parks to use are Westgate Multi-Storey, St George's Way Multi-Storey or Southgate.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Stevenage (CC BY-SA 4.0).