Camping in Stevenage

Stevenage itself is firmly urban New Town, but the Hertfordshire countryside on its doorstep — rolling farmland, hedgerows and quiet lanes towards Knebworth, the Mimrams and the edges of the Chilterns — gives campers a genuine rural escape within a short drive. As with anywhere in England, wild camping without the landowner's permission is illegal, so plan around Hertfordshire's licensed campsites and Certificated Sites (small, simple sites for a handful of units, often on working farms) rather than pitching up on open land. The terrain here is gentle: low hills, mixed farmland and river valleys rather than anything dramatic, which makes for easy, family-friendly camping and straightforward cycling or walking between pitches and the surrounding villages.

Late spring to early autumn is the sweet spot, when the ground is drier, daylight runs long, and nearby attractions like Knebworth House's gardens and outdoor events are in full swing. Hertfordshire's clay-heavy soil can turn heavy going after wet weather, so anyone bringing a tent should keep an eye on the forecast, particularly outside the height of summer. Facilities on small countryside sites tend to be simple — a water point, basic toilets, sometimes an honesty-box shop — so this is camping for people who want peace and a view of fields rather than a resort-style experience, with Stevenage's shops, station and supermarkets never more than a short drive away for supplies.

For anyone who wants the countryside setting without the tent-pitching, glamping has taken hold across Hertfordshire in the past decade, with shepherd's huts, safari tents and small wooden pods appearing on farms within striking distance of Stevenage. These typically add proper beds, heating and sometimes a wood-burner or hot tub, making them a good option for a shoulder-season break when a traditional tent might feel like hard work. Whichever style of camping suits, Stevenage's location — main-line trains to London, the A1(M) running north-south, and genuine countryside a few minutes outside town — makes it a practical base for combining an outdoor break with easy access to everything else Hertfordshire has to offer.