We’re a Ramblers group aimed mainly at people in their 20s, 30s and slightly older, offering led walks and social events across Herts, Beds and south Cambs.
This walk is for up to 20 people, including the leader.
Please note this walk visits Benington Lordship Gardens which has an entrance fee (see below for details).
February is snowdrop season and on this scenic hike we’ll visit the stunning Benington Lordship, one of the most renowned private gardens for seeing lots of the delicate winter flower.
Starting from Chells, on the edge of Stevenage, we’ll head east across countryside with great rolling views, passing streams, woodland and through farms on the way. On arrival in the picturesque village of Benington we’ll visit Benington Lordship, a grand private house which opens its gardens in February when they are carpeted in a spectacular display of naturalised snowdrops around the remains of a Norman keep and surrounding moat.
We will spend up to 1 hour visiting the gardens. Entrance is £8 each (on the door, no pre-booking required). If you do not wish to visit the gardens you will need to wait in the village – unfortunately there is no longer a pub but there is a church, which should be open.
The garden has a tea room but as this may be busy it’s recommended to bring a packed lunch, which we can eat on benches in the village and churchyard before setting off again.
Our route will then head north through pleasant countryside, passing another impressive mansion, traditional thatched cottages and farms, before offering more undulating views of the surrounding area. We then drop down into the large village of Walkern before tackling an incline across fields and woods on the journey back to our start point.
Please note this walk is not suitable for dogs (they are not permitted in the gardens).
For information about walking with the group, including our dog policy, please visit the Stag Walkers website.
Booking your place: Please book your place using the free Meetup website/app. Join the Stag Walkers Meetup group and click the 'Attend' button on the event page.
Please do not turn up for a walk without booking, as places are limited.
If the walk is fully booked, click 'join waitlist' to get a place if one becomes available and please check back regularly as you will likely get a place. The waitlist gives priority to single bookings so if you wish to bring a guest, we recommend booking separately.
Unless you opt in to further communications, we will only use contact information you provide to get in touch about the walk.
This is a circular walk.
The start time is when we aim to start walking and the finish time is an estimate.
Walks are graded Easy, Leisurely, Moderate or Strenuous in increasing order of difficulty. Please read the walk description to check it is within your abilities and contact the group if you are unsure.
Please:
We are a Ramblers group, non-members are welcome to try us out for three free walks before joining Ramblers as a full member.
As a charity we ask that non-members consider making a voluntary donation to Ramblers until they purchase membership. We suggest £3-4 per walk. You can donate in person or online.
The Ramblers’ Association is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Company registration number: 4458492. Registered Charity in England and Wales number: 1093577. Registered office: First Floor, 10 Queen Street Place, London EC4R 1BE.
Chells Park, Stevenage SG2 7HP, meet at the car park accessed from Poston Place (off Gresley Way): What3Words: ///noted.tasters.watchdogs. Free parking. If getting the bus, catch service SB1, which leaves Stevenage Bus Station, Stop G at 9:35, arriving at 9:54 at Lanterns Lane bus stop. This is just a few minutes from the start point.
