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Hitchin Priory Gardens

11 ha

📷 John Lucas · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

BirdsWildlifeHeritage
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome11 ha

Getting here

51.94377, -0.27911

Open directionsv
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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦49+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Rock Dove and Woodpigeon
  • ✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
  • 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
Parking· Paid

Best for

11 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow +46 more · last seen 2026; Deciduous woodland — woodpeckers, warblers and woodland birds

Free

Wildlife

Birds — Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow +46 more · last seen 2026; Deciduous woodland priority habitat

Free

Heritage

Grade I listed building: THE PRIORY

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Harlequin Ladybird, 7-spot Ladybird, 14-spot Ladybird +127 more · last seen 2026

Free

Seasonal nature

Plants — Pellitory-of-the-wall, Black Nightshade, Lesser Swine-cress +93 more · last seen 2025

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed with public access

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

12 signed routes nearby · 70 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Garden City 15Walking route
Named route
Letchworth GreenwayWalking route

13.6 mile (21.8km) walking route around Letchworth

Named route
HOOP - Hitchin Outer Orbital PathWalking route

Circular route around Hitchin

Named routeRef HOOPLocal walking route
Walk on the wild sideWalking route
Named route
Hicca WayWalking route
Named routeRef HiW
Churchyard Walkpublic footpath · 14 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 14 mSurface paving_stonesPath type: footway
West Alleypublic footpath · 73 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 73 mPath type: footway
Russell's Slippublic footpath · 263 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 263 mSurface asphaltPath type: footway
🚴

Cycling

49 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route 12Cycling route
Named routeRef 12National Cycle Network
Recreational Cycle Route 16Cycling route

Local circular? cycle route

Named routeLocal cycle route
Chilterns CyclewayCycling route
Named routeRound tripRegional cycle route
Chilterns Cycleway (road alternative)Cycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Main RouteCycling route2.5 km
Named routeRef 12Length 2.5 kmNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route305 m
Named routeRef 12Length 305 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
🚵

Mountain biking

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby
Icknield Way Cycle TrailMountain bike route226 km

This is the off-road or mountain cycling route of the Icknield Way Trail.

Named routeLength 226 kmRegional cycle route
🐴

Horse riding

2 public paths nearby

Public paths
Brick Kiln Lanerestricted byway · 763 m
Public pathrestricted bywayLength 763 mSurface asphaltPath type: track
Tatmorehills Lanerestricted byway · 587 m
Public pathrestricted bywayLength 587 mSurface dirtPath type: track

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Hitchin Priory

📷 John Lucas · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Hitchin Priory

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Weather for this location

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Windmill HillUrban park600 m→🌱Ransom's Recreation GroundUrban park1.6 km→🌱St Mary's ChurchUrban park500 m→🌱Triangle Community GardenUrban park1.7 km→✦TEMPLE DINSLEYHistoric site3.8 km→✦Slight univallate hillfort on Wilbury HillHistoric site4.2 km→