Discover Letchworth

Letchworth Garden City is the world’s first Garden City, and its urban planning inspired plans around the world. First Garden City Ltd. began building Letchworth Garden City in 1903. The company commissioned Barry Parker and Raymond Unwin to design the master plan for the new community. This history gives the place a clear focus: the Garden City idea can be explored both through its origins and through individual locations. For travellers, this provides a tangible way to engage with the city’s history, encompassing designed spaces, exhibitions and landscape.

Garden City history in gardens and a museum

Broadway Gardens reflect Letchworth’s origins in their design: their layout and design echo Ebenezer Howard’s original vision for the city. The gardens also feature a fountain. Alongside the master plan, they offer a tangible designed space in which to explore the Garden City idea.

The Museum at One Garden City offers another perspective. It is an interactive micro-museum in the heart of Letchworth. Its regularly changing exhibitions explore the city’s past and present. While the gardens reflect Howard’s original vision, the exhibitions explore various aspects of the place. Together, they show how Letchworth can be understood through both its planning history and changing themes about the city.

Cinema, theatre and gallery

The Broadway Cinema in Letchworth Garden City also has a distinctive connection to the city’s history: it was designed by the local architectural firm Bennett & Bidwell. Broadway Cinema & Theatre hosts film screenings and Event Cinema as well as live theatre. Programmes may change; if a particular screening is important to your stay, check the latest listings.

Admission to the Broadway Gallery is free. It offers exhibitions, events and educational activities. This brings together different cultural formats: Broadway’s programme includes film and live theatre, while the Gallery combines exhibitions and educational activities. This distinction can help you choose the cultural focus of your stay in Letchworth.

Trails and nature in Letchworth

Norton Common Local Nature Reserve brings the surrounding countryside into the heart of Letchworth. The Garden City Greenway offers a different perspective: the 13.6-mile (21.8-kilometre) circular route runs around Letchworth and passes several local wildlife and nature areas. It is suitable for walkers, runners and cyclists.

The Icknield Way offers a different focus. This horse-riding and mountain-biking route runs from Buckinghamshire to Norfolk and passes through Letchworth. The trails therefore differ both in their geographical setting and in the activities mentioned: the Greenway circles the city, while the Icknield Way passes through it on its route between the two counties. As trail conditions can change, check them before setting out.

Farm and architectural history

Standalone Farm is a traditional working farm with events and activities for children and adults. The farm’s farmhouse dates from the 17th century and is listed as a Grade II building. The site thus combines farming and a changing programme of events and activities with a historic building. For a specific visit, it is worth checking what is currently on offer, as programmes may change.

These different themes offer distinct perspectives: town planning and changing exhibitions tell the story of Letchworth’s history, Broadway Cinema & Theatre and the Gallery offer different cultural formats, and the Greenway, Norton Common and Standalone Farm add nature and agriculture to the picture.

Discover more destinations: Markyate, Hemel Hempstead, Hatfield, Boxmoor, Royston, Saint Albans, Little Berkhampstead, Hitchin

For the main travel overview: Hertfordshire.