Open all year
Welwyn Garden City town centre is a busy shopping and entertainment district, but it also features many gardens which people can freely visit.
Welwyn Garden City was founded by Sir Ebenezer Howard in 1920, who aimed to combine the benefits of a city and the countryside. The town is laid out along tree-lined boulevards, with wide grass verges and fantastic open spaces for residents and visitors to the town to enjoy.
Twice a year we plant different bedding schemes throughout our town centre. Spring bedding is planted out in October, and it starts flowering in the winter right through to the end of the spring, then in June the summer bedding takes over and lasts until the end of the summer months.
The abundant trees create a wonderful backdrop to the planting. Welwyn Hatfield has been awarded ‘Tree City’ status since 1999. The most eye catching being the avenue of limes which run along Parkway and Howardsgate and create a wonderful vista from The Campus viewing point. A tree trail can be found on The Campus which introduces a number of interesting species.
The Centenary Woodland Garden was created with the shade of the wooded area in mind and consists of many varieties of shade-loving plants.
Anniversary Gardens provides an opportunity for peace in the busy town centre. Cherry Tai Haku trees shade the seating area. The surrounding planting scheme, inspired by the founder of the Garden City movement, Ebenezer Howard and the time he spent in Chicago, USA, includes ornamental grasses and prairie plants, such as Echinaceas, Achilleas and Veronicastrums to provide both summer and autumn colour. The design includes the fragrant, apricot rose ‘Rosa Welwyn Garden Glory’ which flowers throughout the summer. This garden was designed with sustainability as well as all year round interest. Drought tolerant species were chosen for their ability to survive our hot, dry spring and summers whilst providing a safe haven of food and shelter to pollinators and other invertebrates.
The long herbaceous borders on Howardsgate are made up completely of sustainable perennial plants. It is very popular with pollinators and the seed heads provide winter beauty and additional food for birds.
All sorts of events and celebrations are hosted each year in the town centre. Attending one of these and then walking around the gardens will provide a full day of pleasure.
Many volunteers help with the planting beds and gardens in the town centre. The various gardens and plantings have been recognised with the following awards;
Various car parks are available within a short distance. To find the right one for you, search here.
Public Transport Information:Welwyn Garden City has well served bus and train stations within a short distance. Information on public transport is available here: www.intalink.org.uk and www.nationalrail.co.uk.
Cycling:There are various bike parking locations in the town centre.
A bike repair station can be found outside WGC library.