Car Hire Knebworth

With a population of around 4,500 nestled in northern Hertfordshire, Knebworth sits immediately south of Stevenage, offering visitors exceptional access to both historic charm and legendary entertainment venues. The village enjoys excellent connectivity via the A1(M) motorway and B197 (the former Great North Road), positioned approximately 30 miles north of London with convenient links to surrounding market towns and countryside attractions.

Hertfordshire experiences a temperate oceanic climate with mild summers reaching the low twenties and gentle winters that rarely bring harsh conditions, making any season suitable for exploration. Spring through early autumn provides the most pleasant driving weather, particularly during the famous concert season when the estate comes alive with world-class entertainment events.

Attractions In Knebworth

Gothic Revival architecture dominates the landscape through the spectacular Knebworth House, famous for hosting legendary rock concerts, while the surrounding parkland provides deer watching, adventure playgrounds and formal garden tours.

Knebworth House and Park

This magnificent historical landmark in Knebworth Park has earned recognition as the top-rated attraction in the area, boasting an impressive 4.5-star rating from over 3700 visitors who appreciate its 500-year heritage and spectacular entertainment legacy. The Tudor Gothic house features fascinating guided tours revealing artefacts from India and China, beautiful gardens with an intricate maze and life-sized dinosaur models that captivate children throughout the extensive grounds. Beyond its architectural significance, the estate serves as Britain’s largest music venue, hosting legendary rock concerts since 1974 featuring icons like Queen, Led Zeppelin and Oasis, creating an unmatched blend of historical exploration and contemporary cultural importance.

Knebworth Barns

Operating weekdays from 9 AM to 5:30 PM, this striking historical landmark doubles as a premier event venue, showcasing beautiful architectural features including soaring ceilings, lovely wooden beams and gorgeous ambient lighting. The venue’s stunning rural setting provides countless styling possibilities for special occasions, particularly weddings, where the natural beauty enhances any celebration. Families appreciate the diverse entertainment options, especially the fort play area featuring multiple slides that prove particularly popular with children seeking adventurous outdoor activities.

Swangleys Farmhouse

This charming historical landmark on Swangley’s Lane represents centuries of agricultural heritage in the Knebworth area, demonstrating the evolution of rural life and farming practices that shaped the local community. The farmhouse serves as a tangible connection to the area’s pastoral traditions, offering insight into how agricultural families lived and worked throughout different historical periods. Its preservation provides a valuable understanding of rural architectural styles and domestic arrangements that characterised Hertfordshire countryside living.

New Town Fountain & Clock Tower

Located on Queensway in nearby Stevenage, this distinctive landmark embodies 1970s architectural ambition and urban planning philosophy that created Britain’s first New Town. The unusual fountain and clock combination creates a significant icon that residents and visitors recognise as quintessentially representative of Stevenage’s modernist heritage. Despite occasional construction disruptions affecting visibility, the structure’s chimes provide auditory landmarks, though visitors should be prepared for the presence of urban wildlife, including numerous pigeons that frequent the surrounding shopping areas.

National Trust – Shaw’s Corner

This remarkable National Trust property on Bibbs Hall Lane in nearby Welwyn preserves the former home of playwright George Bernard Shaw exactly as he would have used it. The intimate house features original furnishings and personal items, including Shaw’s Nobel Prize, with informative guided tours and knowledgeable volunteers enhancing your understanding of the literary giant’s life and work. The beautiful garden includes Shaw’s small writing shed, where he crafted many famous works, though the limited car park accommodating approximately 15 vehicles requires early arrival during peak visiting times.

Old Stevenage High Street

High Street in nearby Stevenage showcases remarkable historical significance as a former coaching route where 21 stagecoaches passed daily during the 1800s, creating the bustling atmosphere Charles Dickens once described. Today the street combines historic buildings with independent shops, cafes and traditional pubs, offering a refreshing contrast to modern shopping areas with its relaxed, community-focused atmosphere. The area hosts annual fairs and has welcomed music festivals and cycling races, demonstrating how this historic thoroughfare continues adapting to contemporary community needs.

Looking for car hire in nearby locations? Consider these convenient options:

• Welwyn
• Stevenage
• Welwyn Garden City
• Stapleford
• Wheathampstead
• Preston
• Weston
• Baldock

Someries Castle

Operating Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 6:30 PM and weekends until 5 PM, this fascinating castle near Luton represents one of England’s earliest recorded red brick constructions, dating to the early 15th century. The fortified manor house ruins provide excellent exploration opportunities for families, with extensive grass areas perfect for picnicking and ample space for children to safely investigate the historical remains. Convenient adjacent parking accommodates visitors, though the approach road resembles a farm track with potential flooding and potholes requiring careful driving, particularly for vehicles with low ground clearance.

Stevenage Museum

Open Wednesday through Friday from 10 AM to 4:30 PM and Saturdays until 5 PM, this well-designed local museum on St. George’s Way presents comprehensive collections spanning from palaeolithic times to the present day. Families particularly appreciate the interactive stations, activity sheets and hands-on experiences, including period clothing to try on, mosaic creation opportunities and brass rubbing activities that engage children throughout their visit. The museum’s natural history displays complement the historical exhibits, creating educational experiences enhanced by the friendly, knowledgeable staff who provide additional insights and assistance.

Datchworth Museum

Datchworth Museum is a lovely, small village museum located just a short drive from Knebworth. Run entirely by volunteers, the museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich local history of Datchworth Parish. Its collections include a fascinating array of photographs, historical documents, domestic items and old agricultural tools, offering a wonderful, intimate glimpse into the traditional life of a Hertfordshire village over the centuries.

Fairlands Valley Park

This gorgeous park on Six Hills Way has earned exceptional popularity with a 4.5-star rating from over 1800 visitors who appreciate its two substantial lakes and diverse recreational opportunities. The family-friendly environment features excellent cycling facilities, well-maintained walking paths, a splash park, wall climbing activities, sailing opportunities and fishing areas that cater to various interests and age groups. Four separate parking areas accommodate significant visitor numbers and the fully-stocked café serves hot and cold food, ice cream and refreshments, making extended visits comfortable and convenient.

Mardley Heath

Mardley Heath is an extensive and beautiful woodland area located between Knebworth and Welwyn. Although now a designated Local Nature Reserve, the site has a fascinating history as a former sand and gravel quarry. It has completely regenerated into mature woodland, famous for its picturesque sunken paths or holloways and rhododendron thickets. It’s a brilliant spot for dog walkers and cyclists, offering long, tranquil trails through the woods.

Knebworth Woods

Knebworth Woods refers to the beautiful woodlands surrounding the historic Knebworth House and Deer Park. These woods feature ancient oak trees and are an integral part of the managed estate landscape. While the main house grounds are ticketed, public footpaths generally surround the estate, offering lovely, tranquil walks with glimpses of the wider parkland and its wildlife, maintaining the traditional, sprawling feel of this historical setting.