Pictures of Stevenage

About Stevenage

Prior to the end of World War II Stevenage remained more or less what it had always been, a quiet backwater with a largely rural community. Its history began in Roman times when it grew as a small town beside the Great North Road and its heritage from those times is evidenced by the Six Hills, a 2,000 year old Roman burial site.

Following the war, the little town's peace was disrupted when the region was designated to become a "New Town" to relieve London of both its housing and industrial development problems. Despite the new development the old part of Stevenage has managed to retain its former charm, it has a delightful village air pervading its streets where visitors can see some grand old buildings including coaching inns and pubs that still contain many original fittings and have loads of historic atmosphere.

The new part of the town is dominated by a modern clock and fountain, much of this is now a conservation area with some excellent examples of post-war architecture. It is a proud boast of the town that Stevenage's pedestrians-only shopping area was the first of its kind in Britain. Apart from the busy town centre, there is the attractive Westgate centre, both have excellent shopping facilities with representatives from most major retailers. Close to the town centre is Stevenage Museum, this recalls the town's history and heritage. Also in the centre is the highly acclaimed Boxfield Gallery of Contemporary Art, a "must see" for any visitor.

For "Green Lungs" visitors need look no further than Fairlands Valley Park, this is a beautiful spacious area with water, wildlife, pleasant places to wander and lovely picnic spots. Revelling in the delights offered by the park it is hard to believe that its landscape runs through the town centre; it contains a sailing lake, paddling pools, a children's play area and has opportunities for angling.

Outside the town you can see the Cromer Windmill of 1679-81, the last remaining post mill in Hertfordshire which has been restored so that once more its sails turn again after standing as a ruin for almost a century. It restoration and preservation ensures future generations will be able to enjoy this wonderful relic from the past.

Fringing Stevenage there is a host of rural villages, all with their own unique character provoking memories of what the region was like before the idyll of country life was disrupted by the Wars of the 20th century.