Hitchin

Understand

Hitchin is a 1 historic market. town in the north of Hertfordshire. It is twinned with the German town Bingen and the French town Nuits-Saint-Georges. Hitchin has its own character and several historic buildings can be found around the town centre, historic market place, Bancroft, Bucklersbury and Sun Street. Although this part of Hertfordshire is fairly heavily populated there is still plenty of scenery with rolling hills, lots of small villages and single track lanes to be found. Girton College (Cambridge) was briefly first sited in Hitchin before the University authorities decided female students could perhaps be permitted to reside within 30 miles of the older colleges. The building still stands, near the summit of Benslow Lane, but is of little distinction.

Getting there

By car A1 Stevenage → 3 miles to Hitchin on A602 M1 Luton → 10 miles to Hitchin on A505 Parking in the town centre is under pressure at peak times - the unloved Lairage multi- storey car park is still close to the centre and cheaper.

By train Frequent, generally fast, trains run to and from London King's Cross and London St Pancras International (which is 20 minutes faster), Stevenage, Cambridge and Peterborough. Occasionally, trains run further on to Brighton and Horsham via Gatwick Airport. The station is 5 minutes by bus or 15 mins walk from town centre. Services are sometimes disrupted in late evening/at weekends, often with bus substitution - check carefully before you travel and check if planning to travel with a bike - this is strictly forbidden on rush hour trains to London in the morning and from London in the evening - the driver or station staff will prevent you boarding if you attempt to do so.

1 Hitchin railway station. (updated Jun 2020)

By plane The nearest main airport is Luton Airport about 15 minutes drive from Hitchin. Heathrow Airport is a 1-hour drive otherwise about 1.5 hours by train via London and the Heathrow Express. Coach 777 (Birmingham Airport- Luton Airport - Stansted Airport) stops at Hitchin, as does coach 787 (Heathrow Airport - Luton Airport - Cambridge). Bus 386 runs to/from Bishop's Stortford (change there for local buses or a train to Stansted Airport) and buses 100 and 101 to/from Luton (the former also via the Airport in Luton). There are trains approximately every 30 minutes to Gatwick Airport (taking around 90 minutes) from/to Hitchin, but these are often cancelled or delayed - check before you travel.

Getting around

On foot, or nearby villages within easy reach by bike. Pleasant rides (with pubs at the far end) to Willian, Shillington, Charlton, Gosmore, Great/Little Wymondley, Ickleford, Pirton etc. Beyond Charlton the Red Lion at Preston (communally owned by the villagers) is worth visiting for its ambience, ales and pub dining, but does not keep extended hours.

See

Market Place. The key node of the town centre. No longer used for 'proper' markets, which were moved to a nearby site at the end of the dismal Churchgate passage many years ago. Mostly pedestrianised now, setting off the fine variety of Victorian and older buildings around most of the square. Farmers' and other specialised markets held from time to time. Delightful wooden cabmen's shelter resited here from the railway station, after decades in a private garden. Sun Street. Slightly marred by the 1960s Churchgate development but otherwise an architectural gem. Bancroft. Historically the main approach to the centre from the North. Unusually broad due to its original usage as a cattle market as well as thoroughfare. Still well-lined with old buildings as well as some, mostly lamentable, modern ones. Bucklersbury. Historic street, interesting back yards of former coaching inns 2 St Mary's Church (Sometimes nicknamed "Hitchin Cathedral"), SG5 1DW, ☏ +44 1462 452 758. The largest parish church in the county and has two side chapels. Worth seeing in its own right as well as for the small shops along the paths surrounding the churchyard (updated Dec 2020) Biggin Almshouses (next to open market). Medieval buildings with courtyard, still in use (updated Dec 2020) 3 British Schools Museum, 41/42 Queen Street, ☏ +44 1462 429244. In a rare and historic complex of buildings dating back to 1837, the museum tells the story of elementary education from 1810. Also includes the restored Victorian Headmaster's House. Fine Victorian stepped terrace of houses, Queen St. 18th century and earlier houses, Bridge St/Tilehouse St. Also mysterious fragments of much older building incorporated in the Coopers Arms pub. 4 North Hertfordshire Museum, Brand St, SG5 1JE (Next to Hitchin Town Hall), ☏ +44 1462 474 554. Tu W F Sa 10AM-4:30AM, Su 11AM-3PM. Complete historic pharmacy preserved. The adjoining Physic Garden contains many plants once used medicinally - some poisonous. (update

Do

Walk to top of Windmill Hill (end of Hermitage Road) for view over town. Then roll down again, a la Samuel Johnson, or sledge (carefully!) if snowy. Walk out to Charlton (½ hour), Very scenic wooded walk beside the river to Oughton Head (turn west from Bedford Road beyond West Mill estate). Various routes back, B655 not recommended due to narrowness and lack of footways. Go on a pub crawl, Hitchin has many pubs. Three have 5 or more real ales (see pub section below). 1 Hitchin Swimming Centre (Outdoor swimming pool), Fishponds Rd, SG5 1HA (Off Bedford Road), ☏ +44 1462 441 646. open summer months only. Rare survivor of the 'Lido' style (updated Dec 2020) Squash. Courts in North Herts College on Cambridge Rd (£4.40 for 45 min, booking required) and in Ickleford (members only).

Theatre 2 Market Theatre (Next to Angel Vaults Weatherspoons), ☏ +44 1462 433 553. Unbelievably small theatre off Sun St. Varied (professional) repertoire, see local posters. (updated Dec 2020) 3 Queen Mother Theatre, 6a Sun St, SG5 1AE (in car park off Walsworth Rd near town centre), ☏ +44 1462 455 166. More conventional, modern building. Home to local amateur group as well as professional productions. (updated Dec 2020) Broadway Cinema OK, it's in Letchworth, but it's the nearest available and excellent value at £4.50 weekdays (except Friday evening); £2 extra for 3D films. Four screens in tastefully converted Art Deco building.

Events Rhythms of the World festival Used to take over the entire town centre for a weekend each year but from 2008 re-sited to the grounds of the Priory nearby, with a modest admission charge. Travelling fairs On Butts Close for a few days at a time, 2 or 3 times a year. Vaisakhi Parade Spectacular procession through town by the local Sikh community (annually, mid-April) [1]

Buy

The Arcade Slightly quaint, small-scale covered way with a dozen or so shops and cafés (off Market Square) 1 Hitchin Market, 1A Churchyard, SG5 1HR (between Churchgate and Queen Street), ☏ +44 1462 456 202. Tu F Sa. General stalls Tu F Sa; plus "antique" stalls on F, garage/boot sale on Su, and a farmers' and craft market on the last Saturday of each month Allinghams Tradition