Places of Interest
Stotfold Mill and Nature Reserve
Stotfold Watermill, in its idyllic setting on the River Ivel, is truly unique. Having burnt down in 1992, it is now a Grade II listed watermill that has been completely rebuilt with three fully accessible floors to view.
Some of the machinery survived the fire and has been restored by a team of volunteers working alongside the mill specialists. Notable features are the 4.4 metre wide overshot corn mill waterwheel which is the widest in the country and the hursting frame, installed in 1897 by Whitmore & Binyon. Produces stone ground flour, which is on sale in the gift shop.
As restoration work is continuing, public opening days are limited. Click here for details.
Standalone Farm
Situated on the Park side of Letchworth Garden City is the small working show farm set in 170 acres of farmland. Open from March to October a warm welcome awaits and it will prove a great a great day out for all the family!
For more details click here. Easiest route from the Park is along Hitchin Road to the roundabout to Letchworth. Turn left and immediately left again along Wilbury Road. Standalone Farm in about half-a-mile down on the left hand side.
Museums
The Letchwoeth Museum has now been incorporated into the large North Herts Museum in Brand Street, Hitchin which is spread over four floors. The International Garden Cities Museum in Norton Way South is run by the Letchworth Heritage Foundation, but currently is closed to visitors. It is housed in what was the drawing office of one the orignal architects of the Garden City.
There is an interesting Museum that looks at the social history of Letchworth. This is in the Arcade in Letchworth and called the One Museum. Showcasing items from the Garden City Collection – which looks after over 250,000 objects from books and bicycles to corsets and cinema seats.
Lavendar Farm
The Hitchin Lavender Farm is at Cadwell Farm in Ickleford, a five minute drive away from the park. Cadwell has been farmed for over 100 years by the same family, now in its fifth generation. The lavender was first planted in 2000. It keeps a long tradition of lavender growing in Hitchin. It is open from June to September each year and offers teas, tours of the grounds and a range of toiletries and other products. For opening details click here.
Lagoons
The Blue and Green Lagoons on the fringe of Fairfield Park were one time clay quarries from which the bricks to build Fairfield Hall came from. The picturesque Green Lagoon is popular with local fisherman and is run under licence by the Letchworth and District Fishing Club. Daily licences are available.
The North Herts Sailing Club is centred at the Blue Lagoon. They run sessions every Saturday throughout the summer for novices and youngsters to learn to sail and practice in a safe environment.
It makes a tranquil view when the boats set sail during weekends!
Cinemas
The nearest local cinema is the Broadway at Letchworth, that is situated on the corner of Eastcheap and Gernon Road. It is a classic art-deco building and is one of the few independent cinemas in the country and has three screens. For showing details click here
In the Stevenage Leisure Park is a seven-screen cinema run by the second largest multiplex group, Cineworld. For showings and online booking click here.
Theatres
The Gordon Craig Theatre at Stevenage has a varied programme throughout the year with a lot of one-night shows. For full details click here .
The Queen Mother Theatre is a modern, purpose-built theatre in Hitchin, and offers a varied programme of amateur theatrical productions, live music events and cinema.
The Market Theatre in Hitchin is what in London would be known as a fringe theatre. The small group have a wide variety of productions during the year.