Located 20 miles north of London, just beyond the green belt, Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire was one of the first Garden Cities in England. It was founded and built in the 1920s according to Ebeneezer Howard’s concept of having residency, industry and agriculture areas in equal proportion to create ‘The Perfect Town’. A bronze statue of the garden city pioneer Howard now stands in the gardens by Parkway and Howardsgate in the town centre.

Welwyn Garden City was also designated as a new town in 1948, under the supervision of Welwyn Garden City Development Corporation, to alleviate the housing shortage after World War 2.

Today, Welwyn Garden City remains a great place to live and work and offers a range of local attractions and activities for all ages. Take a look at some of the best things to do in Welwyn Garden City.

Barn Theatre

The Barn Theatre is a must-visit if you’re looking for drama and entertainment in Welwyn Garden City. Performances have taken place at The Barn Theatre, a Grade II listed 17th Century timber framed barn, since 1932 when it was converted. It is currently owned by The Barn Theatre Trust and continues to showcase the community and local amateur theatre with around 10 productions a year.

Stanborough Park

A stunning and award-winning countryside park, Stanborough Park is located on the outskirts of Welwyn Garden City. The park boasts two lakes and 126 acres of recreational grounds to explore. Attractions and facilities at Stanborough Park include sailing, kayaking, and canoeing at the Stanborough Park Activity Centre, fishing lake, nature trails, rowing boats, model boating, a children’s play area, a coffee shop and a restaurant.

Vertigo Adventures, with low rope and high rope routes, zip lines and other climbing adventures, is also located in Stanborough Park North.

Welwyn Roman Baths & Mill Green Museum

Just north of Welwyn Garden City are the Welwyn Roman Baths which were part of the larger Dicket Mead Roman Villa from around 250AD. Visitors can explore the Bathhouse that the family used over 1,800 years ago and envision how it would have been when active.

The process begins in the Frigidarium (cold room), followed by the Tepidarium (warm room with heated floors) and the Caldarium (steamy, hot room) before taking a hot bath and then a cold dip to close the pores.

History lovers looking for the best things to do in Welwyn Garden City can also visit the Mill Green Museum in nearby Hatfield. Visitors can admire the engineering of the restored working watermill and explore the 1000-year history of milling in the area.

The New Maynard Gallery

For a cultural experience and to see local art exhibited, visit The New Maynard Gallery in the foyer of the Hawthorne Theatre at Campus West in Welwyn Garden City. The space is provided by the council and run by a group of dedicated volunteers and trustees.

The Maynard Gallery began as a request by Welwyn Garden City painter Sally-Ann Jones and continues to support local artists.

Gosling Sports Park

Just a short walk from Welwyn Garden City town centre, Better’s Gosling Sports Park offers a wide range of activities suitable for all ages and abilities. Discover a 100-station gym, studio classes, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, football pitches, a spa and a sauna.

Amazingly, Gosling Sports Park in Welwyn Garden City also boasts the only dry ski slope in the region, a gymnastics hall, squash courts, a golf driving range, cycling velodrome, athletics track, and a state-of-the-art trampoline park as well as a soft play area for the little ones.

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