Alison’s guidebook Mk2
Sightseeing
Fabulous downs, near to Whipsnade Zoo, and great for flying kites. Good cafe onsite
38 locals recommend
Dunstable Downs
Fabulous downs, near to Whipsnade Zoo, and great for flying kites. Good cafe onsite
Fabulous historic house with beautiful gardens. Many events are staged in the grounds, so check their website.
61 locals recommend
Hatfield House
Great North RoadFabulous historic house with beautiful gardens. Many events are staged in the grounds, so check their website.
A great day out for the family. Every type of aircraft, many you can board, and detailed descriptions of their purpose. Decent cafe on site.
19 locals recommend
Duxford Airfield
A great day out for the family. Every type of aircraft, many you can board, and detailed descriptions of their purpose. Decent cafe on site.
Historic House and lots of festivals during the summer, plus an annual Christmas market - check the website for dates.
31 locals recommend
Knebworth House
Old Knebworth LaneHistoric House and lots of festivals during the summer, plus an annual Christmas market - check the website for dates.
Wrest Park
Historic House with formal gardens and park.
Lovely house with a fabulous collection of Chinese porcelain, beautiful gardens and lake
12 locals recommend
Ascott House
Lovely house with a fabulous collection of Chinese porcelain, beautiful gardens and lake
Just 20 minutes away, Hitchin Lavender is a popular destination to see the lavender and buy lavender produce. Cafe onsite.
11 locals recommend
Hitchin Lavender
Arlesey RoadJust 20 minutes away, Hitchin Lavender is a popular destination to see the lavender and buy lavender produce. Cafe onsite.
Hitch Wood
One of the oldest woods in the country. Covered in bluebells in the spring.
Pegsdon Hills and Hoo Bit Nature Reserve
Walkable from the barn, or a short drive.
Peterborough Museum
51 PriestgateA large, private family mansion with an amazing display of snow drops, in season, and formal gardens.
Benington Lordship Gardens
A large, private family mansion with an amazing display of snow drops, in season, and formal gardens.
Fun for kids
Huge fun for families. Reasonable fitness levels recommended, and a head for heights!
7 locals recommend
Go Ape Woburn
Turnpike RoadHuge fun for families. Reasonable fitness levels recommended, and a head for heights!
Safari park, so if you treasure your wing mirrors, avoid the monkey enclosure!
105 locals recommend
Woburn Safari Park
Crawley RoadSafari park, so if you treasure your wing mirrors, avoid the monkey enclosure!
Put aside a full day to visit this large and well-appointed zoo.
90 locals recommend
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
Put aside a full day to visit this large and well-appointed zoo.
Booking essential, not cheap but a must for Harry Potter fans.
190 locals recommend
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
Studio Tour DriveBooking essential, not cheap but a must for Harry Potter fans.
These chalk hills are carpeted in wild flowers in the summer. Woods and streams thrown in. A great place for a walk, picnic.
Barton Hills National Nature Reserve
Church RoadThese chalk hills are carpeted in wild flowers in the summer. Woods and streams thrown in. A great place for a walk, picnic.
Hitchin Swimming Centre
Fishponds RoadIndoor and seasonal outdoor pool, open from May through September.
Little Rascals Indoor Play and Party Centre
9-10 BancroftWillows Activity Farm
Coursers RoadBeatrix Potter themed activity farm, great for kids.
British Schools Museum
41-42 Queen StStandalone Farm
Wilbury RoadFriendly small petting farm.
Food scene - literally dozens of restaurants in Hitchin, here are some links to some of my favourites
https://theoldgeorgeickleford.pub/
https://www.hermitagerd.co.uk/
http://bridgestreetbistro.co.uk/
https://www.zizzi.co.uk/
https://www.lussmanns.com/restaurants/hitchin/
http://www.paprikahitchin.com/
http://www.sukawatee.com/
https://www.losreyes.co.uk/
Local historic pub in the next village with a great chef. Upmarket pub food, booking essential
The Old George
Local historic pub in the next village with a great chef. Upmarket pub food, booking essential
Just up the lane opposite the barn, then right and you’ll come to the Motte and Bailey, our local. A warm welcome always, and food most days - check their website for opening hours
The Motte & Bailey
Just up the lane opposite the barn, then right and you’ll come to the Motte and Bailey, our local. A warm welcome always, and food most days - check their website for opening hours
City/town information
Historic market town, well worth a visit. Abundant local independent shops and cafes. There is a market every Tuesday and Saturday. plus a bric-a-brac market on Friday. Two huge vintage shops in the market area.
9 locals recommend
Hitchin
Historic market town, well worth a visit. Abundant local independent shops and cafes. There is a market every Tuesday and Saturday. plus a bric-a-brac market on Friday. Two huge vintage shops in the market area.
Take a 45 minute train ride from Hitchin to the historic city of Cambridge.
356 locals recommend
Cambridge
Take a 45 minute train ride from Hitchin to the historic city of Cambridge.
St Albans
Roman ruins, a wonderful cathedral and great shops and restaurants
London
Accessible by train from Hitchin, where Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of Henry V111 is buried in the cathedral. Historic city.
13 locals recommend
Peterborough Museum
51 PriestgateAccessible by train from Hitchin, where Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of Henry V111 is buried in the cathedral. Historic city.
Walks and views
There is a walking guide in the barn, in the magazine rack. We have lots of beautiful walks in the area.
Barton Hills National Nature Reserve
Church RoadPegsdon Hills and Hoo Bit Nature Reserve