Less than half an hour on the train from London, Welwyn Garden City is the perfect way to escape the city for a day and discover somewhere completely new. And if you think there’s nothing to do, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. I recently went on a day trip to Welwyn Garden City, and here’s how I made it the perfect day.
Things to do in Welwyn Garden City
I arrived at Welwyn Garden City railway station after a short ride from London King’s Cross and stepped straight into The Howard Centre. This is the local shopping mall, which has a good mix of shops to browse through.
But the real charm of Welwyn Garden City, as the name suggests, is the "garden" bit. As I wandered out into the sunshine, it really struck me how much greenery there is. There are flowers blooming everywhere, adding splashes of colour to the already pleasant surroundings. All of the greenery is well manicured and carefully laid out. You can definitely see why it’s called a garden city.
What is a Garden City, anyway?
Speaking of "garden city", I was keen to check out some of the features that make it so unique. I spotted the Ebenezer Howard Statue, an homage to the man who came up with the whole concept. It got me thinking about the history behind it all, and actually, it’s super interesting.
Apparently, Garden Cities were designed to be self-contained communities, blending the best of city and countryside living. They were a response to the overcrowding and pollution of industrial cities in the first decades of the 20th century, aiming to encourage a healthier and more balanced way of life.
You can really feel the intention in the design and architecture as you walk around; it’s so clean and aesthetically pleasing, with a calm and friendly atmosphere. The style of the houses and civic buildings also caught my eye – so elegant and uniform, like something out of a postcard.
The best part? Welwyn Garden City is so walkable. From the railway station and The Howard Centre, everything – shops, cafes, the central parkway – is just a short stroll away. My feet were definitely happy.
An independent café in Welwyn Garden City
My first stop was Welwyn Coffee Lab. What a gem. It’s an independent coffee shop with such a friendly vibe. The smooth jazz playing in the background was a nice touch, and the selection of cakes and bakes was seriously impressive. I went for a slice of their caramelised pecan coffee cake (which was as good as it sounds) and a latte, and just chilled for a bit, soaking up the good vibes. There was plenty of seating, so it felt really relaxed.
Next, I knew I wanted to check out a pub called Doctors Tonic. Welwyn Garden City was used as the fictional ‘Newton Haven’ in the 2013 film The World’s End, starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. The Doctors Tonic Pub, which is just across the road from The Howard Centre, was actually used in the film. As a big fan of the Cornetto Trilogy (IYKYK), that was a cool little fact and super fun to see in real life. It had a proper, traditional pub feel to it.
Where to eat in Welwyn Garden City
As my stomach was starting to rumble, I headed to Megan’s for lunch. This place is really cool and unique, with a Turkish Mediterranean menu. The atmosphere was relaxed and inviting, and honestly, their freshly squeezed orange juice was out of this world – so tangy and sweet, it was the perfect refresher. I had a delicious open kebab, which was super fresh and flavourful.
If you love to try different foods like me, definitely mark your calendar for the annual Welwyn Garden City World Food Festival. There are so many amazing international dishes to try. We’re talking Jamaican jerk, New York-style bagels, French crepes, Polish sausages, Spanish churros… the list goes on (and on). Definitely not to be missed, especially as Welwyn Garden City is so easily accessible on the Great Northern network.
Free things to do in Welwyn Garden City
Back to my day out. For a change of scenery, I hopped on the train for one quick stop to Welwyn North to see Digswell Viaduct. Wow. It’s a huge brick-arched viaduct that carries the railway line over the River Mimram. It’s quite a sight and a real piece of local engineering history. Definitely worth the short train ride to see it.
To round off the day, I took a scenic walk to Stanborough Lakes. It was a lovely way to stretch my legs and enjoy some more of that Welwyn Garden City greenery. It’s a popular spot for walks and water activities, and it was nice to see people enjoying the open space - including a family floating by in a bright pink, swan-shaped pedalo. This area also has loads of activities for kids, including a tree-top-style adventure park and playground.
Is Welwyn Garden City worth visiting?
My day out in Welwyn Garden City was a real treat. It’s got that lovely balance of being easy to get around, aesthetically pleasing, and not busy. I loved visiting the independent restaurants and cafes, and admiring the unique architecture.
Welwyn Garden City definitely lives up to its name as a garden city, and with places like Welwyn Coffee Lab and Megan’s, plus interesting spots like Digswell Viaduct, there are loads of things to see and do. It’s a breath of fresh air, literally.
