We’re a Ramblers group aimed mainly at people in their 20s, 30s and slightly older, offering led walks and social events across Herts, Beds and south Cambs.
This walk is for up to 30 people, including the leader.
An easy-grade afternoon walk through the parks of Stevenage, passing woods, lakes, the town’s oldest building and its highest point, and ending with an optional visit to The Broken Seal Taproom - the home of Stevenage’s own craft brewery, Six Hills Brewing.
The route makes use of a continuous system of open green spaces laid out in the 1949 Masterplan for Stevenage, the first British New Town. Chief Architect and Planner Clifford Holliday envisioned that “it will be possible to pass on foot from one part of the town to another scarcely using a road at all by means of gardens, commons, parks and the Fairlands Valley.”
The terrain is easy, sloping gently, mainly on surfaced paths, so comfortable walking shoes or trainers are recommended. The route may be especially suitable if you’re new to Stag Walkers or if you’d like a walk which should be largely mud-free!
This is an afternoon walk so you might like to have an early lunch before coming out, but please bring a drink and snacks for a refreshment break partway round.
Along the route there are various public artworks to spot, including sculptures, murals and a collection of stones painted by local residents in 2020.
From Stevenage Old Town we’ll begin by walking along the tree-lined Avenue to the ancient church of St Nicholas, parts of which date back more than 900 years. We then pass through the neighbourhood of Pin Green, built in the 1960s on the Radburn plan which separates pedestrians from traffic. This leads us to Hampson Park, the highest point in Stevenage; the water tower by the park can be seen from miles around.
Our next destination is Fairlands Valley Park, which covers 120 acres running north to south. We’ll walk past the lakes, where we’ll likely see ducks, swans and geese, and will pause for a quick refreshment break. Public toilets are available if needed. We then go through Whomerley Wood, an ancient woodland, and along the streets of Bedwell to reach the Town Centre Gardens, passing the New Town Church of St George and St Andrew with its unusual open tower.
Finally we walk through King George V Playing Fields to return to the Old Town, which grew up along the Great North Road in the Middle Ages and retains a number of historic coaching inns. After the walk, all are welcome for an optional drink at The Broken Seal nearby.
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, please click 'join waitlist' then 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: First Floor, 10 Queen Street Place, London EC4R 1BE.
Primett Road North car park, Primett Road, Stevenage SG1 3EH. Sunday parking £1. Meet at the corner of the car park opposite the back of The Mulberry Tree pub. Public transport: buses to Stevenage High Street or 20 min walk from Stevenage Railway Station.
