Herts &amp; Beds


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>One of England’s garden cities, second only to Herts’ own Letchworth, Welwyn Garden City is bordered by green spaces, boasts a lively community scene, and with average house prices under £500k and being a sub 35 min whizz by train into London, it&#8217;s got a lot to appeal to commuters and families. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/Auberge-du-lac-across-lake-from-Scott.jpg" alt="Auberge du Lac restaurant Brockett Hall by lake" class="wp-image-86362" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/Auberge-du-lac-across-lake-from-Scott.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/Auberge-du-lac-across-lake-from-Scott-800x533.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Auberge du Lac</figcaption></figure>



<p>On the buzzing Howardsgate, you&#8217;ll find smart Mediterranean food at <a href="https://graswgc.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gras</a> and <a href="https://megans.co.uk/locations/megans-in-the-garden-city/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Megan&#8217;s in the Garden City</a>, plus casual all day dining at <a href="https://thelounges.co.uk/postino/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Postino Lounge</a>. Then if it&#8217;s views you&#8217;re after (and you like golf), try <a href="https://www.theviewwelwyn.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The View</a>, which overlooks the Fairway. It&#8217;s got rooms too if you fancy an overnighter. </p>



<p>Special occasions require a little fanciness, so it&#8217;s got to be <a href="https://brocket-hall.co.uk/auberge-du-lac/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Auberge </a><a href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/auberge-du-lac-brocket-hall-estate-welwyn-garden-city/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">du Lac</a> at Brockett Hall, where you can dine lakeside on the stunning estate. For rustic, countryside dining, check out <a href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/tewinbury-farm-hotel-welwyn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tewinbury Farm Hotel</a> with its Granary Kitchen for breakfast and light lunches, and Cowshed Restaurant for heartier farm-to-fork food. </p>



<p>Pub-wise, WGC is really well off. <a href="https://www.theredlionwelwyn.co.uk/#" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Red Lion</a>, <a href="https://www.thewaggoners.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Waggoners</a> and <a href="https://www.whitehorsewelwyn.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The White Horse</a> offer a cosy atmosphere and gastro grub. You&#8217;ve also got foodie hotspot, <a href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/white-hart-welwyn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The White Hart</a>, <a href="https://www.theroseandcrownwelwyn.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Rose and Crown</a> and <a href="https://www.wellingtonatwelwyn.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Wellington</a> (the Welly) in Welwyn Village, and <a href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/the-tilbury-datchworth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Tilbury</a> in nearby Datchworth. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/Garden-Fair60-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-73156" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/Garden-Fair60-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/Garden-Fair60-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/Garden-Fair60-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/Garden-Fair60.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The centre of WGC is well served with high street shops at <a href="https://howardcentre.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the Howard Centre</a>, where you&#8217;ll find the likes of H&amp;M, Monsoon and Fatface, plus &#8211; joy! &#8211; there&#8217;s a John Lewis. When it comes to indies, it&#8217;s not awash, but check out <a href="https://www.lambertsflowercompany.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lambert&#8217;s Flower Company</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Essie-Betsys-Fashion-Accessories-Boutique-100063447469976/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Essie &amp; Betsy&#8217;s</a> for fashion and accessories. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>Looking for a spruce up. There&#8217;s a good amount of decent salons in town, including <a href="https://greyshairdressing.co.uk/welwyn-gdn-city-salon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greys</a>, <a href="https://www.escapebeauty.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stonehills and The Hummingbird Salon for hair and Escape Skin and Beauty</a>, <a href="https://www.sb-beauty.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SB Beauty</a> and <a href="https://elleymedispa.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elley MediSpa</a>. While you can book some me-time at <a href="https://www.spaexperience.org.uk/locations/welwyn-garden-city" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Spa Experience</a>, which has a hydrotherapy pool, sauna and steam rooms. If you want to get active, there&#8217;s <a href="https://chillipilates.co.uk/studios/welwyn-garden-city/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chilli Pilates</a> and <a href="https://thecorepilates.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Core Pilates</a> as well as boutique gym, <a href="https://risegym.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rise</a> and the <a href="https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/welwyn/gosling-sports-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gosling Sports Park</a> which has a gym, pool, courts, fitness classes and even trampolining and soft play for the kids. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/08/Welwyn-screen-on-the-green-1000x665.jpg" alt="Welwyn garden city screen on the green" class="wp-image-71999" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/08/Welwyn-screen-on-the-green-1000x665.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/08/Welwyn-screen-on-the-green-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/08/Welwyn-screen-on-the-green-790x525.jpg 790w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/08/Welwyn-screen-on-the-green.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Screen on the Green</figcaption></figure>



<p>Welwyn Garden City has a lively events calender which brings the local community together. There&#8217;s the brilliant free Screen on the Green held most summers on Howardsgate for movie screenings and major sporting events. And it does pretty well for local festivals too, with the annual <a href="https://www.wonderfulwgc.co.uk/world-food-festival">World Food Festival</a> in May, the popular <a href="https://jiveswing.com/wgcvintagefest/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vintage Festival</a> in June and Christmas lights switch-on and light trails. There are also twice monthly food and craft markets in the centre. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="480" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/10/Long-leafy-walks-Hatfield-720x480.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-66935" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/10/Long-leafy-walks-Hatfield-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/10/Long-leafy-walks-Hatfield-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/10/Long-leafy-walks-Hatfield-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/10/Long-leafy-walks-Hatfield.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></figure>



<p><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.hatfield-house.co.uk/" target="_blank">Hatfield House</a> is a biggie, although it&#8217;s predominantly closed through the winter months, it opens for special events and is particularly lovely at Christmas time, with carol concerts in the Stable yard. A little further and to the North is <a href="https://www.knebworthhouse.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Knebworth House</a>, which has a dinosaur trail for kiddies and a packed events programme through the year. </p>



<p>Closer to home and just on the outskirts of town is <a href="https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/welwyn-hatfield/stanborough-park-water-sports-centre" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanborough Park</a> &#8211; a 126-acre green space with two lakes &#8211; lovely for walks and trying water sports. While <a href="https://www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/panshanger-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Panshanger Park</a> to the east and <a href="https://heartwood.woodlandtrust.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Heartwood Forest</a> to the West provide lots more access to the great outdoors. The National Trust&#8217;s <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/shaws-corner" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shaw&#8217;s Corner</a> (former home of playwright George Bernard Shaw) is within easy distance, too. And if you&#8217;re into golf, you&#8217;re in the right place, with not one, but three clubs &#8211; <a href="https://www.millgreengolf.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mill Green Club</a> offers some of the county&#8217;s best facilities. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<p>For history buffs there&#8217;s the <a href="https://www.millgreenmuseum.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mill Green Museum</a> and Roman baths, while <a href="https://www.campuswest.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Campus West </a>offers entertainment in the form of big screens and four wheels (roller skates that is!) and if you&#8217;re into film, there&#8217;s the brilliant free Screen on the Green held every summer on Howardsgate. And watch this space as there are plans for a brand new art house cinema at the Wheat Quarter. <a href="https://www.barntheatre.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Barn Theatre </a>is a local community theatre, which hosts the WGC Youth Drama Festival in the spring drawing talent from all over Herts and the home counties. Plus there&#8217;s the National Trust&#8217;s <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/essex-bedfordshire-hertfordshire/shaws-corner" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shaw&#8217;s Corner</a>, former home of the playwright, George Bernard Shaw. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>Not unreasonable for what you get. You can nab yourself a semi-detached home for an average of £577,756, while terraced properties are in the £428,162 region, with an overall average house price of £442,863 over the last year.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Welwyn-Garden-City-Putterills--1000x667.jpg" alt="detached red brick house in Welwyn Garden City" class="wp-image-85243" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Welwyn-Garden-City-Putterills--1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Welwyn-Garden-City-Putterills--800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Welwyn-Garden-City-Putterills-.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Detached historic weaver&#8217;s cottage near town centre. <a href="https://www.putterills.co.uk/property-details/283506/hertfordshire/welwyn-garden-city/bridge-road-1?page=1&amp;search=on&amp;instruction_type=Sale&amp;ajax_polygon=Welwyn+Garden+City&amp;ajax_radius=&amp;minprice=&amp;maxprice=#property283506" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market for OIRO £850,000</a></figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p>There are plenty of nurseries on offer including <a href="https://childbasepartnership.com/nursery/rowan-tree-day-nursery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rowan Tree</a>, <a href="http://www.ludwick.herts.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ludwick</a> and <a href="https://squirrelsnurseries.co.uk/nurseries/squirrels-nursery-welwyn-garden-city-wgc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Squirrels</a>, which are all rated Outstanding by Ofsted. <a href="https://www.littletulipsdn.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Little Tulips</a> and <a href="https://www.busybeeschildcare.co.uk/nursery/welwyn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Busy Bees</a> are both Good rated day nuseries. Plus there are a number of nurseries at the local primaries as well as pre-nurseries, pre-schools and Montessori nursery, <a href="http://annabels.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Annabel&#8217;s</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS </h2>



<p>For independent education you&#8217;ve got <a href="https://www.sherrardswood.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sherrardswood</a> Co-ed all-through school in Welwyn village, as well as <a href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/queenswood-hatfield/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queenswood</a> around a 20 min drive. But the city is well served for state schools too, including two &#8216;Outstanding&#8217; primaries, <a href="https://welwynst-marys.herts.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Welwyn St Mary&#8217;s C of E,</a> and <a href="https://www.applecroft.herts.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Applecroft</a>, and some 12 &#8216;Good&#8217; rated primaries. <a href="https://www.monkswalk.herts.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Monks Walk School</a> is the area&#8217;s &#8216;Good&#8217; secondary. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p><a href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/tewinbury-farm-hotel-welwyn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tewin Bury Farm</a> is also a 4-star hotel (with lakeside huts and wood-fired hot tubs as well as luxe rooms), wedding venue and events space, just outside Welwyn. As well as its own restaurant, farm shop, café, art and piano bar, it hosts live music events on Fridays at the Farm Yard. Plus, it even has a cinema space and cookery school. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>There are regular trains from Welwyn Garden City to London Kings Cross which take a very appealing 34 mins on average. If your workplace is based in North London, it&#8217;s an easy win. </p>



<p><em>View the full <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live">Top 300 Places to Live</a>.</em></p>


Welwyn Garden City

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