Stevenage at a glance
In the middle of Hertfordshire county and just a 20 minutes train ride from London is the commuter haven of Stevenage, presenting visitors with an eclectic mix of cultural attractions, shopping opportunities and year-round entertainment events.
Stevenage’s old town features the more traditional architecture associated with English market towns, full of independent shops and eateries, as well as some great night spots. Alternatively, the area surrounding the historic centre has a host of more contemporary attractions, including a shopping centre and leisure facilities. The town has also been earmarked for a £350m development plan, which will see the centre transformed into a modern and vibrant social and commercial hub.
Its variety of activities and superb transport links mean Stevenage is an up-and-coming town that is already a popular commuter location for young professionals and its varied cultural, dining and social attractions reflect this diverse population.
Places to stay in Stevenage
Stevenage is a prime commuter location, with new developments and accommodation opportunities popping up all the time. Of course there are several hotels in the area, but anyone staying in the town on business will find a serviced apartment is a better option, offering all the benefits of traditional accommodation whilst affording the privacy and flexibility of a home-from-home.
The Squa.re present a range of properties in the town, ranging from small studios to extravagant luxury apartments. If you are looking for corporate housing, then we can advise on the best venue to suit your working requirements. Each apartment features tasteful decor, with a range of conveniences ranging from secure and disabled access, to WiFi and intelligent air-conditioning. You will also have the convenience of a fully equipped kitchen, meaning that you can enjoy true self catering.
Culture & shopping in Stevenage
Whilst Stevenage is in a great location for visiting some of the major tourist attractions in the UK, including London and Cambridge, the town also has plenty to offer right on its doorstep. For one thing, Stevenage has a thriving arts and live music scene, with Gordon Craig Theatre hosting a varied programme of events throughout the year. For those hoping to enjoy the outdoors, Fairlands Valley Park was once voted one of the UK’s leading free visitor attractions and boasts 120 acres of beautiful parkland. There’s also the Sailing Centre on the park’s lake, which offers everything from canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, powerboat courses, and angling.
Shopping in Stevenage is also surprisingly good. The Westgate shopping centre, is a modern indoor mall with around 40 outlets, including high-street fashions, hair and beauty, and homeware retailers, plus a coffee shop. Then just a short walk away is the Roaring Meg retail park, which features several larger stores. There are also several further retailers tucked away in Market and Town Squares.
Getting around in Stevenage
Stevenage has great public transport links, so getting around is never going to be a problem. There is a comprehensive bus network which covers the immediate area, as well as routes to Welwyn Garden City, St Albans and Cambridge. Stevenage is also covered by the PlusBus ticket, which gives unlimited bus travel on participating services around the urban area of Stevenage and Knebworth for around £3 per day. The council also runs a shuttle bus service to the local hospital
The railway station is also exceptionally well served with routes to London - with up to ten trains per hour into Moorgate and Kings Cross stations, and journey times ranging from 25 minutes to one hour depending on the service stops. There are also regular services running into Peterborough and Leeds.
Stevenage itself, however, is reasonably compact, with most amenities being close to the railway station. It is therefore perfectly feasible to get around the town on foot, without relying on any public transport.
