Car Hire Welwyn

Welwyn provides excellent touring opportunities for those exploring Hertfordshire by car. This historic village and its surrounding areas are situated within the broader Welwyn Hatfield borough, offering a diverse range of attractions for visitors. Access is conveniently available via the A1(M) motorway, A414 dual carriageway and Great North Road. The temperate climate offers distinct seasonal experiences: warm summers perfect for outdoor exploration and crisp winters that create atmospheric visits to historical sites in this village of 8,500 people.

Welwyn boasts extraordinary historical significance as the site of Welwyn Roman Baths—a magnificent villa complex discovered beneath the A1(M) motorway and now preserved in a unique roadside museum, making it one of Britain’s most unusual archaeological sites.

Attractions In Welwyn

Garden city satellite maintains village character through careful planning where traditional high street businesses coexist with residential neighbourhoods, while excellent rail connections provide efficient access to both London employment and countryside recreation.

National Trust – Shaw’s Corner

Wednesday through Sunday, between 11 AM and 5 PM, literature enthusiasts discover a remarkable treasure at this Bibbs Hall Lane location. George Bernard Shaw’s authentic home features original furnishings, his Nobel Prize certificate and the famous writing hut where masterpieces emerged from his creative genius. We find the intimate portrait of literary life particularly compelling for cultural touring. The small car park accommodates most vehicles comfortably for manageable self-guided experiences.

Mardley Heath

This exceptional nature reserve, located along Heath Road, offers diverse walking opportunities across varied terrain that suits different touring preferences. Marked footpaths and bridleways cater to a range of fitness levels, from leisurely strolls to challenging hikes through diverse landscapes. Autumn transforms birch woodland into spectacular colour displays that reward photographers. Spring brings magnificent bluebells carpeting forest floors beautifully. The large parking area fills up quickly on weekends but remains peaceful during weekday visits.

Danesbury Fernery

Seasonal opening times vary at this restored Victorian masterpiece, so checking the current schedule is essential before making the drive. Dedicated volunteers have transformed this hidden Danesbury Nature Reserve location into a captivating amphitheatre filled with exotic ferns and carefully curated plant collections. Dramatic Pulhamite rockwork creates unexpected horticultural treasures worth discovering. The remarkable transformation from forgotten ruins into a botanical wonder showcases community dedication perfectly.

Tewinbury

An authentic countryside atmosphere awaits at Tewin Bury Farm, located along the B1000, where traditional farming charm meets contemporary presentation with great effectiveness. Well-maintained facilities complement friendly farm animals roaming through beautiful grounds that seamlessly balance rustic character with modern comfort. Llamas and pigs create memorable encounters for visitors seeking genuine agricultural experiences beyond typical tourist attractions. Seasonal hours throughout the year strike a balance between visitor safety and animal welfare concerns.

Tewin Orchard Nature Reserve

Heritage fruit varieties pair beautifully with impressive wildlife viewing at this Upper Green Road sanctuary, where spring apple blossoms create spectacular seasonal scenery. The substantial badger sett offers fascinating observation opportunities year-round, although evening badger-watching sessions require advance booking for optimal experiences. Daily access during daylight hours ensures flexibility for spontaneous visits during touring itineraries. We particularly appreciate how this location educates visitors about traditional orcharding methods alongside natural history.

Lemsford Springs

Lemsford Springs is a 4-hectare nature reserve in Lemsford, Hertfordshire, managed by the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust since purchasing the site in 1970, featuring a fascinating array of habitats including shallow spring-fed lagoons, marsh, willow woodland and meadow. The reserve is built around old watercress beds which create valuable year-round habitat for waterbirds, as the spring-fed chalk stream lagoons maintain a constant temperature and never freeze in winter, making it particularly important for species like Water Rail, Green Sandpiper and Jack Snipe.

Danesbury Park

Danesbury Park is a 24.5-hectare public park and Local Nature Reserve in Welwyn, Hertfordshire, owned and managed by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, formerly serving as the historic parkland surrounding Danesbury House and now featuring rare county grassland habitat rich in flowering plants, fungi and wildlife. The park is extensively managed using rare-breed cattle grazing and occasional cutting to maintain its diverse ecosystem, which supports large mature trees important for bats, owls, insects and birds, alongside grassland that has become increasingly rare due to changes in farming practices and development.

The Lagoon

The Lagoon, also known as Black Fan Lagoon, is located in Welwyn Garden City on the site of a former isolated farmstead called Blackfan that once featured numerous wells and springs and now serves as a holding pond for wastewater before discharge into the River Mimram.

Brocket Park

Brocket Park is a Grade II listed 200-hectare landscape park surrounding the neo-classical Brocket Hall near Welwyn Garden City originally laid out in the mid-18th century and remodelled around 1770 by Richard Woods in the ‘Capability’ Brown style, featuring the River Lea dammed to create a picturesque lake known as The Broadwater. The estate, which has been home to two British Prime Ministers including Lord Palmerston who died there in 1865, now operates as a luxury country estate offering two championship golf courses, conference facilities, wedding venues and the renowned Auberge du Lac restaurant, whilst maintaining its historic Grade I listed hall built by James Paine in the 1760s.

Welwyn Roman Baths

Archaeological significance reaches remarkable heights at this unique underground museum, where advance planning proves essential for visits on specific opening days throughout the year. Preserved Roman bath remains survive beneath the busy A1 motorway in purpose-built protective housing that safeguards ancient treasures. Interactive displays and knowledgeable guides bring ancient British history to life through engaging presentations that effectively educate all ages.

Strategic location makes these excellent destinations easily accessible for your wider Hertfordshire explorations:

• Welwyn Garden City
• Knebworth
• Wheathampstead
• Hatfield
• Stevenage
• Stapleford
• Essendon
• Harpenden

The Orangery

The Panshanger Orangery, built around 1856 for the 7th Earl Cowper near Hertford, stands as a poignant ruin of white brick and terracotta within Humphry Repton’s celebrated landscape. Once the jewel of formal gardens serving the grand Panshanger Hall, this Grade II listed structure became the sole surviving major building when the great house was demolished in 1953-54 following the Cowper family’s extinction. Now viewable through protective fencing in the gradually reopening park, it serves as both a haunting reminder of Victorian garden grandeur and an unexpected roost for bats, demonstrating how England’s architectural heritage continues to evolve whilst preserving its essential character.

The New Maynard Gallery

Opening hours coordinate with theatre schedules at this welcoming Hawthorne Theatre gallery space, where contemporary art appreciation flourishes through regular exhibitions showcasing local talent. Diverse artistic displays create a relaxed atmosphere that encourages leisurely viewing during cultural touring experiences around the region. Excellent coffee service enhances visits significantly during extended appreciation sessions with fellow art enthusiasts. Gallery updates ensure fresh discoveries reward return visits consistently throughout different seasons and exhibition cycles.

Digswell Viaduct

Massive stone construction showcases Victorian infrastructure ambition at this impressive railway bridge, where engineering excellence dramatically dominates the landscape for touring photographers. Adjacent nature reserve paths offer various viewing angles and walking opportunities, allowing for detailed architectural appreciation from multiple perspectives. Free parking facilitates comfortable, extended visits without financial constraints or time pressure, allowing for thorough exploration. Train movements overhead add dynamic interest to static observation and photography sessions. We find that this landmark consistently inspires engineering admiration across different generations.

Welwyn Garden City Fountain

Well-maintained fountain displays create a peaceful ambience amidst surrounding commercial activity at this iconic Parkway landmark, where central focal point activities revolve naturally throughout busy days. Seasonal events occasionally transform water displays into unique photographic opportunities commemorating special causes and community celebrations worth documenting. Numerous benches offer comfortable observation points for extended relaxation periods during town centre tours. We recommend checking event calendars for special displays and community activities that enhance your visit in a memorable way.