We’re a Ramblers group aimed mainly at people in their 20s, 30s and a bit beyond, offering guided hikes and social events across Herts, Beds and south Cambs.
This walk is for up to 25 people, including the leader.
A family-friendly short walk for a Sunday afternoon, taking place in and around Fairlands Valley Park, visiting its lakes and cafe and passing through nearby woods.
The walk is fairly flat with some very gentle slopes. The route is entirely on surfaced paths so should be suitable for parents bringing children in pushchairs, although some paths may be uneven.
Comfortable walking shoes or trainers are recommended. As this is an afternoon walk you might like to have an early lunch before coming out, but please bring a drink and snacks for a refreshment break partway round.
We’ll begin at the large Fairlands Valley Car Park in the south of the park, opposite Stevenage FC’s Lamex Stadium. This part of the park is very open, bordered on one side by the ancient woodlands of Monks Wood and Whomerley Wood. We’ll dip in and out of the woods and along a street aptly named Wildwood Lane as we head northeast towards the lakes, which we’ll reach after passing through an underpass painted with a “magical” new mural.
We’ll walk alongside the large and open Main Lake, sized 11 acres and used for fishing, sailing, windsurfing and kayaking, then past the smaller and more enclosed Millennium Lake, where we’re likely to see many waterfowl. We can also spot an artwork created from stones painted by local people during the pandemic and arranged in the shape of a snake named Covid the Cobra!
Back at the Main Lake we’ll have a break by the waterside. There should be a chance to buy a drink or snack from the cafe, but we recommend also bringing some refreshments of your own to save time. Public toilets and baby change facilities are available here.
After this, the last mile of our walk will see us leave the lakes and go back under Six Hills Way, before we retrace our route alongside the woods and back to our start point.
Please note the finish time for the walk is an estimate and will depend on the overall pace of the group.
Dogs are welcome on a lead.
For information about walking with the group, including our dog policy, please visit the Stag Walkers website.
Booking your place: Please book your place using the free Meetup website/app. Join the Stag Walkers Meetup group and click the 'Attend' button on the event page.
Please do not turn up for a walk without booking, as places are limited.
If the walk is fully booked, click 'join waitlist' to get a place if one becomes available and please check back regularly as you will likely get a place. The waitlist gives priority to single bookings so if you wish to bring a guest, we recommend booking separately.
Unless you opt in to further communications, we will only use contact information you provide to get in touch about the walk.
This is a circular walk.
The start time is when we aim to start walking and the finish time is an estimate.
Walks are graded Easy, Leisurely, Moderate or Strenuous in increasing order of difficulty. Please read the walk description to check it is within your abilities and contact the group if you are unsure.
Please:
We are a Ramblers group, non-members are welcome to try us out for three free walks before joining Ramblers as a full member.
As a charity we ask that non-members consider making a voluntary donation to Ramblers until they purchase membership. We suggest £3-4 per walk. You can donate in person or online.
The Ramblers’ Association is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Company registration number: 4458492. Registered Charity in England and Wales number: 1093577. Registered office: Stone King LLP, Boundary House, 91 Charterhouse Street, London EC1M 6HR.
Fairlands Valley Car Park, Broadhall Way, Stevenage SG2 9BN (opposite Stevenage FC). Free parking. 5 min walk from Stevenage FC bus stop or Roaring Meg stop D, or approx 25 min walk (1.2 miles) from Stevenage Interchange.
