Hitchin
Experience historic buildings, a beautiful high street and mile upon mile of lavender fields, with quick and reliable trains running to Hitchin all day, every day.
Hitchin, a small market town with history dating back 1,000 years, sits 35 miles north of London. Based on the north east edge of the Chilterns, the town’s medieval setting makes for an interesting and relaxing getaway from the hustle of bustle of the major towns and cities nearby.
If you’re looking for things to do in Hitchin, you’ll find rich history and untainted countryside in abundance, plus a postcard-ready town centre. Easily accessible from the likes of London, Stevenage, Cambridge and Peterborough, enjoy a day trip or weekend break with the family via our trains.
Getting to Hitchin
One of the great things about Hitchin is its location in relation to major towns and cities nearby. Situated at a relative midpoint between London, Cambridge and Peterborough, we’ve got direct services getting to Hitchin at regular points throughout the day from all locations. At around 45 minutes from Peterborough, just over half an hour from London and Cambridge and a mere five-minute punt from Stevenage, Hitchin days out are easily accessible for all.
Wherever you’re coming from and however many you’re bringing with you, make sure to check out the different ways to save on your train fare with us. Railcard users will get up to 1/3 off their travel as always, while all travellers can look to find Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak fares for cheaper travel. For bigger groups, we’ve got GroupSave for discounts on joint bookings of 3-9 adults and a kids travel for £2 option on certain routes for those travelling as a family.
Things to do in Hitchin
As a longstanding prominent market town, the area still has an essence of the old Hitchin, starting with Market Place. Lined with cobbled streets and historic elements, Market Place is now home to a number of independent boutiques and eateries for a scenic shopping experience. While the actual markets may have moved nearby, Market Place itself hosts a variety of events through the year such as food festivals and party nights – making it definitely worth a visit.
Hitchin’s most notable landmark is probably St. Mary’s Church, a building with origins spanning back as far as 1,000 years. Based at the heart of the town, visitors can see the 15th century font and animal artwork carved into the front pews. Around the town, you’ll find plenty of buildings and houses from the 18th century and earlier, some dating back as far as medieval times and still in use today.
One of the best things to do in Hitchin is experience the annual festivals the town hosts. The Hitchin festival runs through June and July, featuring over 100 events that celebrate the culture of the town. Also during the summer comes the Rhythms of the World (ROTW) festival, a volunteer-driven music and arts weekend that entertains 30,000 visitors with around 125 acts each year. A more unusual summer attraction is a visit to Hitchin Lavender, a stunning 25 mile stretch of lavender fields where you can walk and pick fresh flowers.
With plenty of culture packed into the cobbled streets about the town, Hitchin days out are a fine mix of quiet and calm market town strolls and lively days spent at vibrant festivals. If you want any more information on events around the area, take a look at the town’s official website. As for getting to Hitchin, our trains offer you the simplest and most stress-free way of visiting this wonderful little place.