St Mary's Church

The remains of a medieval moated homestead in Whomerley Wood is an 80-square-yard trench almost 5 feet wide in parts. It was probably the home of Ralph de Homle, and both Roman and later pottery has been found there.

Facilities: disabled toilet with baby changing, small coffee areas and gift shop. This small but fascinating museum is a real gem in Stevenage and acts as one of the few links between Stevenage's past and present. It tells the story of Stevenage before it was a new town, which is a time most know very little about and after it became a new town. It also has an archive of old photographs, documents etc. related to the town. The museum is very child friendly with regularly changing, fun exhibitions and lots of events.

Manor House not open to public but the Lane is open all year all day. The Manor House is on a quiet lane which is an enclave of the Chells Manor housing estate. The secluded lane has a lovely duck pond, several nice houses, a few old cottages and the manor house itself. Chells Lane is a reminder that not that long ago Chells Manor was only a tiny hamlet in the middle of the countryside, not a housing estate that is home to 5-10,000 people. If you are visiting Chells Lane, Box Wood (about a 15-minute walk away) is also worth a look. The Manor House is a private residence, as are all the other houses.

Plaque commemorating Henry Trigg, 18c. farmer who died in 1724 and whose coffin was fixed to a beam. Henry Trigg had his coffin placed in the rafters of 37 High St to avoid body snatchers. After his death in 1724 his brother, The Rev Thomas Trigg, put aside any scruples that he may have had and agreed to fulfil Henry's request. The remains were duly sealed in a coffin and placed in full view in the appointed location. In 1774 the house became the Old Castle Inn. In 1831, a new landlord Mr Bellamy, took over. His first task was to inspect the coffin. Henry, he confirmed, was still inside. A further check was made in 1906 when members of the East Hertfordshire Archaeological Society were allowed access to it. Their report shows that the coffin contained about two thirds of a human skeleton. However, during the first world war soldiers were stationed in the area. Several were reported to have plundered the coffin taking home bones as souvenirs. It was also reported that some soldiers sold on some bones to the local populous as trinkets. It would appear therefore that, despite all his precautions, poor old Henry finally fell foul of his dreaded bodysnatchers. The coffin remains in situ in the rafters of a building at 37 High Street, Old Stevenage. There is a plaque recording the event on the building.

This house is one of the greatest stately homes in Britain, and the site has been home to the Lytton family since 1490. Charles Dickens used to stay here often. Former owner Edward Bulwer Lytton wrote many historical novels including The Last Days of Pompeii. Many films have used its fantastic exteriors and Tudor great hall. Nowadays the estate comprises the Gothic mansion, gardens, deer park, church, mausoleum and playground & railway (Fort Knebworth). It is very popular with local families. The house is also famous for hosting a huge Robbie Williams concert a few years ago. Other major acts that have performed at Knebworth House park over the years include: the Rolling Stones, Oasis, Manic Street Preachers, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and the Chemical Brothers.

Gresley Way. Daily, year round. Box Wood is a beautiful 27-acre wood which has a spectacular show of bluebells in springtime, lots of wildflowers and an array of wildlife (such as muntjac deer, rabbits, jays and woodpeckers- even some very rare waxwings were sighted last winter). There are several benches in the wood (although some have suffered vandalism), a gravelled path (as well as many other paths) and a few parking spaces dotted around its edge. There are some guided walks and tours of the wood throughout the year, organised by the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust. Box Wood is also called Pryors Wood, but Box Wood is historically its proper name. For the link, click on Nature Reserves and then 'Pryor's Wood' (which is under 'North Herts'). Free.