The Guide

Stevenage - Ayot Green (north west of Welwyn Garden City)

Stevenage

Stevenage is quite a cycling experience! The roads and cycle network of this 'new town' were planned together so you can easily get from one end to the other, without ever meeting a car. Typically the routes run along side and then under the main roundabout intersections. My map gives the general direction, but not every twist and turn - and because you are under the roads at the intersections it does mean often you can't see the road signs, so it is quite easy to get disorientated, so keep an eye out carefully for those Route 12 signs.

For more information, and to request a copy of the Town Cycle Map go to: Stevenage Borough Council Cycleways

Here the route runs on the west side of the A602 past Sainsbury's.

Old Stevenage

Passing under the first 2 roundabouts you rejoin a quiet road (about where the 12 is shown on the paper map), and then back onto the cycle path ajoining Lytton Way.

The Old Town is a good place to stop for cafes & local shops.

Stevenage Station

The Great North Way runs alongside the platform, actually between Stevenage Station and the adjoining road Lytton Way, so very handy if you are starting / stopping at this point to hop on a train.

NCN Milepost

Stop here for library - maybe if you are confused by the roads by now, you could pick up a copy of the large scale A2 size Stevenage Cycle Route Network, plus you can take it home to marvel at the extent of the cycle routes in the town!

Do you want to go to the park?

Another missing sign, and a crucial one! At this roundabout you need to turn right heading as usual under the road into the centre of the roundabout, then onto the cycle path adjoining Monkswood Way. There is no sign here, and its easy (as I did) to merrily continue up Six Hills Way to Fairlands Valley Park.

Fairlands Valley Park

Of course if you want to go to the park, this is the way to go - and it makes a pleasant stop with boating, nicely laid out park, toilets and cafe overlooking the lakes.

Monkswood Way

Keep on past Asda & North Herts College, for extra reassurance along this section look out for signs for Stevenage Town football ground.

London Road

At the bottom of London Road you cross onto a cycle path that heads to Old Knebworth Lane, effectively cutting the corner and bypassing the roundabout.

Watch the Ramp!

Rejoining the road at Old Knebworth Lane the path is signed 'caution ramp ahead', as the gradient steepens down to the lane, also watch out for the jagged remains of a metal post-stump in the middle of the path (note: I will request for this be removed soon!).

Back into the country...

Under the railway bridges, then a little later under the A1(M), which marks the end of the built up area, and into the country, heading up the hill to Knebworth County Park.

Knebworth House

Well worth a visit to house and gardens, go to their website: Knebworth House & Gardens for more info.

Free Knebworth

You can visit the parkland for free, it is criss-crossed with public rights of way, leave the route at the Cricket Ground taking the road to the Church on the Knebworth estate, the footpath follows across the fields down to the lake. For comprehensive guidance look at the local OS map Explorer 193.

Old Knebworth

Back on the route the Lytton Arms is a good place to stop for a drink or meal!

Stick to the road!

Just outside the pub is a traffic calming feature, road narrowing with a fairly uninviting cycle by-pass full of rubbish & leaves, its probably best to ignore and keep to the road!

Next watering hole

At the road junction at Rabley Wood stands the pleasant public house: Robin Hood & Little John.

Codicote

Come down the hill on Rabley Heath Road and turn right onto the Codicote Road / B656. If you want to visit Codicote with shops and pubs etc. carry straight on, otherwise the route takes a left into Cowards Lane - as you can see from the map, the route is skirting the south of the village.

Codicote Bottom

The road descends to towards the River Mimram in the valley, passing this quarry on the right.

Shaw's Corner

The Great North Way carries straight on here, take a left if you want to visit Old Welwyn, or right if you want to visit the home of George Bernard Shaw - Shaw's Corner (National Trust) in Ayot St Lawrence.

Ayot St Peter

All this section of the route is on country lanes, classic cycling country, with gently rolling hills - just enough to give a view - here looking back towards Stevenage from the bend in the road at the old churchyard at Ayot St Peter. As you pass take a look at the wonderful Arts & Crafts 'new' Church, its rarely open but the outside alone is worth the pause!

Ayot Green

Between Ayot St Peter & Ayot Green, you pass the start of the Ayot Green Way, walking & cycling route to Wheathampstead, this is the continuation of the same ex-railway line you will encounter in Sherrardspark Wood.

A map of the Ayot Green Way has been produced in the same series as this one, contact Pedal Point for a copy

Ayot Green

The place to stop here is The Waggoners, a friendly pub - run by a French family.