History
Decreed as a New Town in 1946, Stevenage has a history that goes back over thousands of years. Stevenage Museum contains more than 30, 000 artefacts and photographs charting the town's timeline. From the early settlers of Roman times and the impact of the Industrial Revolution to the town's part in WWII and beyond, there is much to see. You'll even find fossils dating back to the Stone Age, as well as Roman coins and agricultural exhibits.
Stately Piles
Just three miles south of Stevenage is one of the country's most celebrated stately homes, Knebworth House. The original property was built in 1490 as a red-brick Late Gothic manor house but was remodelled circa 1913 in its present Tudor Gothic style. Tour the house and the grand gardens, and try not to lose yourself in the maze. Kids will love the extensive adventure playground. For a taste of Jacobean splendour Hatfield House, 11 miles south of Stevenage, is well worth a visit. You'll find much to admire including historical paintings, suits of armour and the legacies of many bygone kings and queens. The beautiful 42-acre gardens have been restored to their early 17th-century glory and include an adorable foot maze, as well as fountains, orchards, herb gardens and scented plants.
Activities
Two fun ventures in the town are perfect for keeping the kids busy. Partyman World of Play and 360 Softplay are both packed with activities designed to entertain and exercise the young ones in safe environments. And the Gordon Craig Theatre is a 501-seat venue which hosts stand-up comedy, live music acts and plays.
Eating and drinking in Stevenage
Gangnam is a Korean restaurant that is cooking up a storm in Stevenage. Choose from a starter of, say, pickled vegetables to a main course of rib stew. It doesn't serve alcohol but you're welcome to take your own. A family-run fish and chip shop, Cox's is generally thought to be the best of its kind in the area and they also serve gluten-free food and a nice cup of tea. Offering a range of specialist real ales, Our Mutual Friend is a CAMRA award-winning pub that supports local brewers, stocks traditional cider and perry and serves pub grub. The Mutual (as it's known locally) puts on theme nights every now and then and hosts beer festivals four times a year.
Shopping in and around Stevenage
The High Street is populated with charming old buildings and quirky independent shops. You'll find plenty of supermarkets in Stevenage for essentials and the Westgate Shopping Centre has more than 30 big-name stores. And if that's not enough, the town is also home to two retail parks, Roaring Meg and Monkswood.
