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Discover the best things to do in Hitchin, Hertfordshire

Local attractions near the Green Man

If you find yourself visiting the friendly Green Man pub, you’re in for a real treat. The local area of Hitchin is brimming with diverse attractions – from floral delights and elegant stately homes to fascinating museums and wonderful walking areas.

Whether you’re visiting this lovely corner of Hertfordshire just for the day or an entire week, you’ll have plenty of activities and attractions to add to your agenda. Ready for some inspiration? Let’s take a little look at some of the best things to do in Hitchin and beyond.

 

An image of the Hitchin Lavender advertising local attractions near to Chef & Brewer venues.

Hitchin Lavender

Close your eyes and get ready to inhale the sweet scent of soothing lavender. This well-known flower farm and museum is easily one of the best things to do in Hitchin – especially if you visit between June and August when the fields are in full bloom. 

Discover the area’s vast lavender-growing history in the resident museum, before heading out to the main field to pluck your own keepsakes. There’s also a display field full of different lavender varieties, plus a pick-your-own sunflower field that’s open between August and September. 

Afterwards, join us at the Green Man if you’re looking for pubs near Hitchin Lavender – we’re right down the road. 

 

Standalone Farm

Whether you’re travelling as a family or simply love animals, an afternoon spent at Standalone Farm is always a hit. This small working farm sits in nearby Letchworth and offers the chance to meet all kinds of farmyard creatures up close. 

Say hello to the resident Kune Kune pigs, Cilla and Sue, or venture to the farm’s alpaca field to meet Polo. Standalone Farm also has a delightful woodland trail to meander through if you fancy stretching your legs. There’s even a programme of special events for kids if you’re visiting with little ones in tow. 

From seasonal activities like Easter egg hunts to talks from experts on creepy crawlies, this is one of the best family-friendly things to do in Hertfordshire. 

 
An image of Knebworth House advertising local attractions near to Chef & Brewer venues.

Knebworth House

Want to tick off one of the top things to do in Hertfordshire? Make your way to the idyllic village of Knebworth. It’s home to the striking Knebworth House – one of England’s most prestigious Tudor mansions, that has also been featured in countless films and TV shows over the years. 

Knebworth House was famously the home of the Victorian politician and novelist Edward Bulwer Lytton, who just so happened to host Charles Dickens on more than one occasion. Take some time to explore the house’s ornate interiors, including the remarkable Jacobean banqueting hall. 

And if you’re on the lookout for pubs near Knebworth House, book a table at the Green Man, where you’re guaranteed a warm welcome every time. 

 

North Hertfordshire Museum

Any history buff will want to put this museum on their agenda. You’ll find it right next door to Hitchin Town Hall and just a five-minute drive from the Green Man pub. It’s the ideal place to go to learn about the area’s heritage, with displays that delve into Hertfordshire’s long history. 

North Hertfordshire Museum is split into three main exhibitions, each offering fascinating insights into local stories, local pastimes, and how the region’s environment has changed over thousands of years. It’s free to visit and a lovely little venue to spend an hour to two before exploring some of the other things to do in Hitchin.
An image of Oughtonhead Common advertising local attractions near to Chef & Brewer venues.

Oughtonhead Common

If you’re blessed with a sunny day, a walk on Oughtonhead Common is one of the best things to do in Hitchin. The leafy nature reserve sits on the northern fringes of the town and is bursting with wonderful wildlife. Wander down its well-marked trails that meander through woodland and meadows, and past tinkling streams. 

Like the Green Man, Oughtonhead Common is dog-friendly if you’re bringing your pet along. Just keep an eye out for the common’s resident cattle though, including pretty English Longhorns and furry Highland cows. 

 

 

A mobile sized illustration advertising local attractions near to The Blue Cap.

Go for par at Sandiway Golf Club

Formed in 1920 and just across the road from the Blue Cap, the esteemed Sandiway Golf Club is home to generous, tree-lined freeways with sandy subsoil, making the course an excellent golfing location all year round. Spot the oak, beech and birchwood trees, dotted with birds and insects, and as you play through the back nine, take some time to enjoy the ravishing backdrop of Pettypool — best viewed on the 11th and 12th holes.
 
The club holds an extensive history, from its original layout by Ted Ray, the first UK & Ireland Ryder Cup Captain, to part of the course being lost in the Second World War as the fairways were ploughed for food production. In the 1950s, some holes were lost or abandoned due to enforcement by the completion of the Northwich bypass, which you may drive on today as you make your way to the Blue Cap! Today, the club is often chosen to host international, national, regional and local championships and is held in high regard as a traditional private members’ club.
 
If your golfing skills are a little rusty, you can check out the course before you arrive on the Course Flyover page. Booking is advised at this esteemed golf club.

A mobile sized illustration advertising local attractions near to The Blue Cap.

Sprinkle some time in Northwich into your day

Northwich is famous for its salt industry, which is, in fact, the reason the town has such few ancient buildings. The constant pumping of brine from beneath the district and the collapse of old salt mines has weakened the landscape around, sadly causing subsidence of the town, but this has been arrested in recent times with the introduction of controlled pumping.
 
Take a stroll through the old market town, pop into a few independent shops on your way past and, if you’ve timed your trip well, visit the monthly Artisan Market, full of unique treasures and handmade goods. The town is vibrant and welcoming, sitting prettily on the confluence of the River Dane and the Weaver Navigation, and has a distinctive look with its black and white timber-framed buildings.
 
Northwich lies at the end of the Heritage Cycle Trail route from Anderton Boat Lift and is home to the Weaver Hall Museum and Workhouse, where the history of West Cheshire comes to life through film, reconstruction, models, displays and artefacts. It’s a truly lovely day out for any family, made even better with a visit to a pub near Northwich. Why not try the Blue Cap, just 11 minutes' drive away, to complete a day of heartfelt memories?

A mobile sized illustration advertising local attractions near to The Blue Cap.

The Ice Cream Farm

Award-winning ice cream, fun at the farm and family-friendly events are aplenty here at the Ice Cream Farm, and it's just a 25-minute drive from the Blue Cap, Sandiway, too. There are ten different areas for the little ones to run wild in, including Europe's largest indoor sand and water play, an adventure golf course and an arcade room for older children.
 
The Ice Cream Farm is also home to the world's biggest ice cream shop. The shop is filled with over 50 flavours of award-winning Cheshire Farm Ice Cream, which are topped with enough sprinkles and sauces to fulfil even the sweetest of tooths.
 
If you're looking for an event for the whole family, the Ice Cream Farm has themed escape rooms, scavenger hunts, toddler time and more. It's the perfect place to treat everyone to a day of fun and excitement in a fun and engaging environment. And, after a busy day of play, you can pop into the Blue Cap for a drink and some non-ice-cream-themed food afterwards.