Best walks near Welwyn by train
Hertfordshire · South East England | Walks by foot
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 in South East England and plan your next day of green.
Cambridge Station Circular via Grantchester (Cambridgeshire)
1h from Welwyn North, with one change.
Easy: 12km, flat terrain. 3h30–5h30.
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.
Highlights: King's College Chapel, Fitzwilliam Museum, Hobson's Conduit Monument, Cambridge, and Cambridge itself.
Lunch stops in Grantchester (1h30–2h30 in): the Orchard Tea Garden, Grantchester, the Red Lion, the Rupert Brooke, or the Blue Ball Inn.
End-of-walk reward: the Panton Arms.
Harpenden Station to St Albans City Station (Hertfordshire)
45m from Welwyn Garden City, with one change.
17km. Gentle ascents. 4h30–7h30.
Mostly fields and country lanes. Some beautiful new bluebell woods, stunning historic city streeets, commons, golf courses, and parkland. Best in April (bluebell season). Some sections are busy.
Highlights: Heartwood Forest, St Albans Cathedral, and St Albans itself.
Lunch stops in Sandridge (2h–3h in): the Green Man (excellent; reservations recommended), Heartwood Tea Rooms (busy!), the Rose & Crown, or the Queens Head (not great).
End-of-walk rewards: the Lower Red Lion, the Mad Squirrel Tap, the Peahen, the Snug, or the Boot.
Garston Station to St Albans City Station (Hertfordshire)
45m from Welwyn Garden City, with one change.
13km. Gentle ascents. 3h30–6h.
Common woodland, farmland tracks, river meadows, water meadows, quiet residential roads, and historic city streets. Can be very muddy.
Highlights: St Albans.
Lunch stops: Moor Mill Watermill & Inn (1h30–3h in), the Overdraught (2h30–4h in), or Rumbles Fish Bar (2h30–4h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Horn, or the Robin Hood.
St Albans City Station Circular via Ruins of Gorhambury House (Hertfordshire)
45m from Welwyn Garden City, with one change.
15km. Moderate ascents. 4h–7h.
Highlights: St Albans Cathedral, Verulamium Roman City Walls, Ruins of Gorhambury House, and St Albans itself.
Lunch stop: Ye Olde Fighting Cocks (30m–1h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Six Bells, the Lower Red Lion, the Snug, the Boot, the Mad Squirrel Tap, or the Peahen.
Potters Bar Station Circular via Gobions Wood (Middlesex)
9m direct from Welwyn Garden City.
Easy: 8km, gentle ascents. 2h30–4h.
Gobions Wood is absolutely beautiful. The rest of walk takes you through unremarkable but quiet fields.
Highlights: Gobion's Wood.
Lunch: Nowhere to eat en route — pack lunch!
Finsbury Park Station to Harringay Green Lanes Station (Middlesex)
30m direct from Welwyn Garden City.
Easy: 1km, moderate ascents. 30m.
Field and woodland paths.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Drayton Park Station to Finsbury Park Station (Middlesex)
30m direct from Welwyn Garden City.
Easy: 1km, moderate ascents. 30m.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Harringay Green Lanes Station to Harringay Station (Middlesex)
30m from Welwyn Garden City, with one change.
Tough: steep ascents. 0km. 0m.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Highbury & Islington Station to Drayton Park Station (Middlesex)
30m from Welwyn Garden City, with one change.
Easy: 1km, moderate ascents. 30m.
Field paths.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Caledonian Road Station to Highbury & Islington Station (Middlesex)
30m from Welwyn Garden City, with one change.
Easy: 1km, gentle ascents. 30m.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Kings Cross Station to Old Street Station (Middlesex)
45m from Welwyn Garden City, with one change.
Easy: 4km, gentle ascents. 1h.
Canal towpath with street sections at either end and flat and easy-going; step-free.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Kings Cross Station to Farringdon Station (Middlesex)
45m from Welwyn Garden City, with one change.
Easy: 6km, gentle ascents. 1h30.