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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

Spalding

Spalding

in the county of Lincolnshire

Looking down to the road.

Bristol

a Historic City in the county of Somerset

Cheltenham's Regency Promenade

Cheltenham

in the county of Gloucestershire

Pictures of Stevenage

in the county of Hertfordshire

About Stevenage

Prior to the end of World War II Stevenage remained more or less what it had always been, a quiet backwater with a largely rural community. Its history began in Roman times when it grew as a small town beside the Great North Road and its heritage from those times is evidenced by the Six Hills, a 2,000 year old Roman burial site.

Following the war, the little town's peace was disrupted when the region was designated to become a "New Town" to relieve London of both its housing and industrial development problems. Despite the new development the old part of Stevenage has managed to retain its former charm, it has a delightful village air pervading its streets where visitors can see some grand old buildings including coaching inns and pubs that still contain many original fittings and have loads of historic atmosphere.

The new part of the town is dominated by a modern clock and fountain, much of this is now a conservation area with some excellent examples of post-war architecture. It is a proud boast of the town that Stevenage's pedestrians-only shopping area was the first of its kind in Britain. Apart from the busy town centre, there is the attractive Westgate centre, both have excellent shopping facilities with representatives from most major retailers. Close to the town centre is Stevenage Museum, this recalls the town's history and heritage. Also in the centre is the highly acclaimed Boxfield Gallery of Contemporary Art, a "must see" for any visitor.

For "Green Lungs" visitors need look no further than Fairlands Valley Park, this is a beautiful spacious area with water, wildlife, pleasant places to wander and lovely picnic spots. Revelling in the delights offered by the park it is hard to believe that its landscape runs through the town centre; it contains a sailing lake, paddling pools, a children's play area and has opportunities for angling.

Outside the town you can see the Cromer Windmill of 1679-81, the last remaining post mill in Hertfordshire which has been restored so that once more its sails turn again after standing as a ruin for almost a century. It restoration and preservation ensures future generations will be able to enjoy this wonderful relic from the past.

Fringing Stevenage there is a host of rural villages, all with their own unique character provoking memories of what the region was like before the idyll of country life was disrupted by the Wars of the 20th century.

Recommended towns & villages near Stevenage

Hitchin, Hertfordshire

Hitchin (51 Pictures) a Historic Market Town in the county of Hertfordshire

(4.9 miles, 7.8 km, direction NW of Stevenage)

Hitchin is a historic market town in Hertfordshire, characterized by its medieval and Georgian architecture. It has a vibrant market square, a variety of pubs, and the picturesque Hitchin Lavender fields in the surrounding countryside...

St Marys Church, Baldock, Hertfordshire

Baldock (5 Pictures) in the county of Hertfordshire

(5.9 miles, 9.5 km, direction N of Stevenage)

The town lies close to the River Beane, in a spot where the river flows through some lovely water meadows and tranquil English countryside...

Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire

Welwyn Garden City (16 Pictures) in the county of Hertfordshire

(7.0 miles, 11.2 km, direction S of Stevenage)

..

In a wood in Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire

Wheathampstead (5 Pictures) in the county of Hertfordshire

(7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction SW of Stevenage)

An abiding feature of Wheathampstead is it beautiful 14th-century church dedicated to Saint Helen...

St Mary's Church, Ashwell, Hertfordshire

Ashwell (30 Pictures) in the county of Hertfordshire

(9.7 miles, 15.6 km, direction N of Stevenage)

Ashwell embodies some of the finest domestic architecture in England, here in this well preserved village, at a glance you get a pleasurable insight as to what England was like in the 16th and 17th-centuries...

All towns & villages in Hertfordshire
Complete A to Z of towns & villages in England

Nearby attractions..

Fairlands Valley Park in Stevenage, Herts.

Fairlands Valley Park (9 Pictures)

(1.1 miles, 1.7 km)

..

Knebworth House from gardens

Knebworth House (6 Pictures)

(2.3 miles, 3.6 km, direction S)

One of England's most beloved stately homes, Knebworth House is famous worldwide for its rock concerts and as the home of.....

This is a photo taken last summer of the side view of Benington Lordship house and its Rose Garden.

Benington Lordship (6 Pictures)

(3.3 miles, 5.2 km, direction E)

..

Wardown Park & Museum

Wardown Park Museum (7 Pictures)

(9.2 miles, 14.8 km, direction W)

..

Hatfield House

Hatfield House (53 Pictures)

(9.7 miles, 15.6 km, direction S)

Hatfield House built by Robert Cecil 1st Earl of Salisbury and Chief Minister to King James I in 1611, stands within its own.....

Wrest House, Silsoe, Bedfordshire

Wrest Park House and Gardens (70 Pictures)

(11.7 miles, 18.7 km, direction NW)

Wrest Park House was once the home of the de Grey family whose Mausoleum is at nearby Flitton. The gardens form a charming.....

Cainhoe Castle, Clophill, Bedfordshire.

Cainhoe Castle (2 Pictures)

(12.1 miles, 19.5 km, direction NW)

The remains of a late 11th or early 12th century motte and bailey castle with three baileys. Cainhoe castle was probably occupied.....


All attractions in Stevenage
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