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.
Gavin F
This walk is for up to 20 people, including the leader.
Too hot to handle? A short walk through villages and hamlets directly east of Stevenage, through farmland and woodland, with a few gentle slopes and a social at Benington Chilli Festival.
Beginning at Chells Park on the edge of Stevenage, we will head east, passing through Aston End, before entering New Wood as we make our way to Benington, following part of the Stevenage Outer Orbital Path (STOOP). We will get some views of Walkern shortly before we start heading towards Benington, where we will stop for our packed lunch.
After lunch, we will go to the Chilli Festival; this is in the grounds of Benington Lordship, used as a filming location for dramas such as Channel 4's "Humans". The site consists of an 18th Century manor house, adjacent to castle ruins and a "ha ha" (that's a moat designed so that invaders couldn't see it - until they fell in). Entry to the festival is £10, and there should be a range of stalls selling a wide variety of chillis and hot sauces/jams.
After we leave the Chilli Festival, we will head back to Stevenage via Aston End, passing Lordship Farm and High Wood. We may have time for a pub stop at Aston End.
Please note this walk is not suitable for dogs, as they are not allowed at the festival.
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 in case you do 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: ///lemmings.onions.jousting. Free parking. If getting the bus, catch service SB1, which leaves Stevenage Bus Station, Stop G at 10:50, arriving at 11:09 at Lanterns Lane bus stop. This is just a few minutes from the start point.
