Walks near Welwyn by train
Hertfordshire · South East England
Stations: Welwyn Garden City · Welwyn North
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations near Welwyn and plan your next day of green.
Alternatively, view walks directly from Welwyn.
Cambridge Circular via Grantchester (Cambridgeshire)
1 hour from Welwyn North, with one change.
Beginner-friendly: A straightforward walk along the River Cam with many lunch options in Granchester. Within Cambridge itself, feel free to wander about randomly rather than following the route — there’s plenty to appreciate.
Time: 3h30–6h30
4 lunch spots: Grantchester (1h30–3h in) — the Orchard Tea Garden, Grantchester, the Red Lion, the Rupert Brooke, or the Blue Ball Inn
1 end-of-walk reward: the Panton Arms
Warnings: A quarter urban.
Adapted from: The Rough Guide to Walks in London & the South East (3rd edition).
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.
Cambridge to Cambridge North (Cambridgeshire)
1 hour from Welwyn North, with one change.
A short city and riverside walk linking Cambridge's two stations, taking in some of the best-known views of the ancient colleges, punting on the upper river, and riverside paths across the commons where college and town crews race their traditional 'bumps'.
Time: 3h
Warnings: Shared with cyclists along most of the route, so watch out for bikes.
Walk details: Mid Anglia Rail Passengers Association (PDF).
Shelford to Cambridge (Cambridgeshire)
1 hour from Welwyn North, with one change.
Flat walk through traditional villages and along the River Cam, finishing through Grantchester Meadows into Cambridge city centre.
Great Shelford: Traditional village with thatched cottages and a striking parish church.
Little Shelford: Village with period architecture.
Hauxton Mill: Historic watermill on the River Cam.
Trumpington Meadows: Open meadow nature reserve on the edge of Cambridge.
Byron's Pool: Wild-swimming spot on the Cam named after the poet Lord Byron.
The Old Vicarage (Rupert Brooke's House): Former home of poet Rupert Brooke, with sculptures in the grounds.
Grantchester Meadows: Open riverside meadows along the Cam between Cambridge and Grantchester.
King's College: World-famous University of Cambridge college with its renowned chapel.
The Orchard Tea Garden
Time: 3h30–7h30
2 lunch spots: the Red Lion, or the Orchard Tea Garden
Warnings: Busy A10 road crossing; shared cyclist path before the M11 bridge.
Walk details: Walking Post (tips, photos and local insights).
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.
Knebworth Circular via Graffidge Wood (Hertfordshire)
4 minutes direct from Welwyn North.
Undulating Hertfordshire countryside, woodland, large open arable fields, quiet lanes, deer park and pretty villages.
Warnings: Can be muddy.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Hitchin Circular via Pegsdon Hills (Hertfordshire)
15 minutes direct from Welwyn North.
Chilterns chalk ridge, farm tracks, field boundaries, grassy lanes, woods, steep chalk downland, flat-bottomed valleys, alder and willow fen woodland, chalk river and historic market town.
Time: 6h
Warnings: Can be hilly.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Baldock Circular via Wallington Church (Hertfordshire)
30 minutes direct from Welwyn North.
Vast flat Hertfordshire arable farmland, open field edges, big skies, gentle hills, small historic villages and patches of woodland.
Time: 5h
Warnings: Can be muddy.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Watton-at-Stone Circular via Woodhall Estate (Hertfordshire)
15 minutes from Welwyn North, with one change.
Rolling Hertfordshire hills, farmland, woods, hedgerows and riverside path along the River Beane.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Huntingdon Circular via Portholme Meadow (Huntingdonshire)
45 minutes from Welwyn North, with one change.
Flat riverside paths, water meadows, farmland tracks, tarmac lanes, nature reserve and market town streets.
Time: 4h
Warnings: Prone to flooding.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
London Bridge Circular (Surrey)
45 minutes from Welwyn Garden City, with one change.
A walk through London's history around the square mile, past the Tower of London, St Paul's Cathedral and the Guildhall.
Time: 2h30–5h
Warnings: Two thirds urban. Several sets of steps, cobbled streets and narrow alleys.
Walk details: Walking Post (tips, photos and local insights).
Alexandra Palace to Tottenham Hale (Middlesex)
15 minutes direct from Welwyn Garden City.
Urban north London, disused railway trackbed nature reserve, ancient woodland, reservoir wetlands, residential streets, riverside path and open parkland.
Time: 3h30
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Meldreth to Royston (Cambridgeshire)
30 minutes direct from Welwyn North.
A moderate walk from one village through another, then across open countryside and beneath the railway before heading into the town — on field paths, tracks and a stretch of road.
Time: 2h30
Lunch: The Dolphin in Melbourn, and a café at the Royston Tesco near the finish.
Walk details: Cam Valley Community Rail Partnership (PDF).
Arlesey to Letchworth Garden City (Bedfordshire)
30 minutes from Welwyn North, with one change.
Chalk stream meadows, field boundaries, hilltop village, open farmland with far views, green lanes, lavender farm and Garden City.
Time: 5h30
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).