UK’s oldest ‘new town’ home to award-winning free attraction and is just 20 minutes from London

SPLASH AROUND

Plus, another attraction in Hertfordshire that's been called "the "Little Provence"

Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter

Published: 15:01, 10 May 2025

THE first wave of 'new towns' in the UK started back in the 1940s - and those who want to visit the oldest should head to Stevenage.

The New Town was founded in 1946 to house Londoners after World War II and relief the over-crowding and shortages of homes in the city.

High street shops and cafes in Old Town, Stevenage. — Stevenage is split into a New and Old TownCredit: Alamy

Stevenage town square with clock tower and fountain. — The newer town is home to a big shopping centreCredit: Alamy

The goal set by the government was to provide housing, employment, and a healthier environment for families relocating from London.

Stevenage remains split into two parts, the Old Town and New Town.

The Old Town side of Stevenage has retained its historical charm with a small high street and Grade I listed buildings.

The award-winning attraction, Fairlands Valley Park is in part of the New Town of Stevenage.

Fairlands Valley Park is also award-winning having been recognised with several Green Flag Awards, celebrating its high standards as a green space.

It won a Green Flag Award for 10 consecutive years between 2010 and 2020.

It was also once voted as one of the UK's leading free visitor attractions.

Inside the park is a completely free play park suitable for children with swings, climbing frames and tunnels.

Fairlands Valley Park is also home to a splash park which will open on May 25, for the summer season.

The splash park is completely free and there you'll find fountains, interactive water features as well as a food kiosk.

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Children playing in a water park. — Fairlands Valley Park has a splash park that's completely freeCredit: ParksHerts

The grand opening of an inflatable water park in Stevenage on Saturday had a greater-than-expected turnout, according to owner Aqua Parcs., , — An inflatable course is set up on one of the four the lakes during the summerCredit: AquaParcs

The park itself is set across 120 acres in the heart of Stevenage, and 11 acres of that is a sailing lake.

The Sailing Centre within the park offers wet and non-water activities for adults and children - which do require a fee.

On the lake, you can do canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, angling, and even powerboat courses.

On land, the centre runs classes like orienteering, power kiting, grass sledging and there's also a new ropes course and climbing wall.

In total though there are four lakes in the park.

The others are the Millennium Lake which is used for boating, the Environment Lake is where you'll find wildlife from amphibians, squirrels and foxes.

There's also the Balancing Pond which is at the Fairlands Farm End and only turns into a lake during heavy rainfall.

Also during the summer, a huge Aqua Parcs inflatable assault course is set out on the main lake with multiple slides and obstacles.

Throughout the year, inside the park is hosted events like markets, festivals, car shows and boot sales as well as Christmas light switch-on.

Anyone wanting to head to Fairlands Valley Park from London will be pleased to know that a journey can take as little as 20 minutes from Kings Cross station.

Plus, our travel team's favourite day trips in the South East from pubs with a view to quiet beaches.

And a blooming great day out in the UK that doesn't have to cost the earth.

Hertfordshire also has European-style attraction that's been dubbed "Little Provence" by visitors.