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Town in Hertfordshire, England
Photo: Alexandra Lanes, Copyrighted free use via Wikimedia Commons
Welwyn Garden City is a town in Hertfordshire, England. It was the second "garden city" in England, and one of the first "new towns". It is unique in being both a garden city and a new town and exemplifies the physical, social and cultural planning ideals of the periods in which it was built. The town is laid out along tree-lined boulevards with a neo-Georgian town centre. The view along Parkway to the south was once described as one of the world's finest urban vistas.
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A 1,800-year-old Roman bathhouse which was unearthed from beneath Welwyn Garden City in 1960.
It can be seen from the train. No tours. That's about as much as you can do save walk across the (now listed) footbridge. The Factory closed in 2008.
The attractive avenues of Parkway and Howardsgate are worth a visit, with the coronation fountain at their intersection.
Water-powered flour mill, a three-room local history museum and gardens.
A pleasant recreational area offering fishing, boating, swimming as well as wide open spaces for dog walking and sun bathing.
Lakes open for sailing, canoeing, paddleboarding, rafting and open water swimming in Welwyn Garden City. Open for group bookings, courses and public sessions. Check the website for seasonal opening times.
Cinema and theatre. Shows a range of productions and offers a bar serving alcoholic drinks which is open for the duration of the entertainment.
The old Post Office converted to an all day restaurant. The upper floor has large light windows.
It was built as the town's Cottage Hospital (hence the name) and has a lively and young crowd most days of the week as well as live music upstairs.
Formerly "The Cork"
Right in the town centre, it's the place to go if you want a lively pub.
McMullens Pub
now closed - sold for development (March 2023).
Stanborough Road. Standard budget business hotel.
4-star hotel alongside the River Mimram. All bedrooms are individually designed, en suite doubles, some converted from the original 17th-century farm buildings. Williams' Bar & Restaurant is open to residents and non-residents, offering modern British dishes. The working farm remains and the Williams brothers can often be seen managing the grounds, or driving their tractor.
Took over Welwyn Department Stores in the 1980s and offers a grand shopping experience without the hussle and bustle of a London store.
By bus
The bus station is serviced by local buses only - no National Express services. Local buses run to and from Hatfield, St Albans, Stevenage, Hitchin, Hemel Hempstead, Hertford and Watford.
WGC is small enough to walk around for any able-bodied person. Taxis are available from the rank at the front of the Howard Centre if required.
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