Welwyn Garden City is an idyllic suburban town in Hertfordshire, perfect for business trips and leisurely weekends away.
Hire a car to explore the vibrant town centre, roam picturesque parks and attractions, and discover the many nearby distinguished towns and cities.
Roman Baths and fairytale houses
Indulgent and elegant, the Roman bathing culture belongs to a bygone era. But not here in Welwyn Garden City. At the Welwyn Roman Baths, discover an incredibly preserved ancient site. Held in a steel vault underneath the A1 motorway, this is one of the most unique Roman ruins remaining in the UK.
There’s an exhibition dedicated to its beguiling history, where you can transport back in time to when the facility was in use. Wander around the bath house, once part of an ornate roman villa, discover archaeological finds from the bath’s discovery and learn how the vault was built on your visit.
Fantasy lovers will adore a trip to Knebworth House, meanwhile, with its majestic fairytale exterior. Domes, turrets and gargoyles galore – the ornately decorated stately home enchants all of its visitors. Visit in the summer months when the romantic gardens are in full bloom to experience the exterior at its most vibrant and beautiful.
Dating back to the Tudor times, the red brick building behind the palatial Victorian High Gothic exterior tells the story of the Lytton family, who owned the house for around 500 years. A tour of the house illustrates more than 500 years of British history, with each generation of the family leaving their own unique mark on the house. History lovers will be amazed by the heirlooms and tales of times gone by, all of which are waiting to be discovered when you visit.
Stanborough Park
Meander around the award-winning Stanborough park, a staple of any trip toWelwyn Garden City. This luscious 126-acre area includes everything from two shimmering lakes that provide fantastic boating and sailing opportunities, to ice cream kiosks and fun water sports.
There are several walkways available, so it’s the perfect place to head for a relaxing afternoon stroll while you’re in town. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, be sure to check out the activities available at the boating lake.
From paddle boarding to kayaking and sailing lessons, there are a range of registered courses available. No matter if you’re a beginner, or an experienced sailor, hit the water to pick up some new skills.
Wands and wizardry
No trip to Welwyn Garden City would be complete without visiting Harry Potter World in nearby Watford.
As one of the UK’s most popular tourist attractions, the Warner Brothers’ studio tour is almost like a pilgrimage for Potter fans. See the Great Hall, sip on a butter beer while marvelling at the magical sets, learn how to ride a Nimbus 2000 and let the sorting hat select your house. You may even meet a few familiar faces, including a certain hippogriff, along the way.
Hire a car inWelwyn Garden City to experience the joys of this picturesque commuter town, and explore the area at your leisure.