Where is Hitchin?
A few miles north of London and a stone’s throw northeast of Luton Airport, Hitchin is well-connected to the metropolitan side of the East of England. The town is located just next to Letchworth Garden City in Hertfordshire, a short drive south of the Bedfordshire border and a few miles southwest of Cambridgeshire. It’s 31 miles away from central London, 24 miles away from Cambridge, and 7 miles away from Luton.
Transport in Hitchin
Hitchin is an 18-minute drive away from London Luton Airport and a 21-minute drive away from the M1. Using the motorway, you can get into London within 1 hour and 30 minutes, Northampton within 1 hour and 5 minutes, and Milton Keynes within 50 minutes. As for commutes, Hitchin has its own train station in the town centre, which you can use to get into London Kings Cross in 40-50 minutes. Additionally, trains travel regularly into Cambridge, Peterborough, Brighton, and Horsham, and you can change for further services at Stevenage.
Shopping in Hitchin
Hitchin is famous for its open-air market, a 150-stall affair operating along Churchyard Walk. The market is open four days a week on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and sells a variety of food, flowers, clothes, materials, and accessories. There’s also a shopping centre at the Hitchin Arcade, a small corridor of high street shops including a traditional sweet shop, a skateboard vendor, and several clothing stores. For further options, you can visit Letchworth Garden City to find high street outlets at the Garden Square Shopping Centre.
Things to do in Hitchin
Hitchin has a large open-air pool at the Hitchin Swimming Centre, perfect for families during hot summer days. You can also stroll through the Hitchin Physic and Triangle Community gardens, or enjoy the Willian Arboretum in Letchworth Garden City. As for indoor activities, the Factory Playhouse Theatre and the Queen Mother Theatre are both located in Hitchin, showing plays from local thespian groups such as the Jigsaw Performing Arts School. Additionally, you can visit several museums in your local area, including the British Schools Museum in Sunnyside and the North Hertfordshire Museum in the town centre.
The best places to buy new build homes in Hitchin
While Hitchin is a relatively small town, there are plenty of neighbourhoods to choose from nearby. Here are some of the best places to buy a Hitchin new build, from Lower Stondon to Letchworth Garden City.
Lower Stondon
Located 3 miles north of Hitchin, Lower Stondon is a peaceful village in the heart of the Hertfordshire countryside. It’s a 10-minute drive away from Hitchin and an 18-minute drive away from Letchworth Garden City, with a direct route to Bedford along the A600. If you’re looking for a safe and semi-rural home life, Lower Stondon provides all of the amenities of Hitchin without the bustle of the town, and it even has its own primary school within a 13-minute walk of
our development at Poppy Fields.
Letchworth Garden City
The town of Letchworth Garden City borders Hitchin to the east, directly connected by Cambridge Road. Built in the ‘garden city’ design, Letchworth brings rural Hertfordshire to the town centre, allowing you to experience the countryside without sacrificing any urban amenities. It has its own train station along the Cambridge line, providing a 30-minute commute to Cambridge and a 30-50 minute commute to London Kings Cross. As for your home life, you’ll benefit from numerous parks and gardens, a public paddling pool, a local shopping centre, and plenty of nearby gyms.
Ickledord
Ickleford is a rural village neighbouring Hitchin to the north. Known as a pleasant spot for birdwatchers, dog walkers, and families, it benefits from its own nature reserve at Ickleford Common and a hiking area at the New Pound Farm. You can walk into Hitchin town centre in 38 minutes from Ickleford, opening up both the train station and high street shops to car-free families. The village itself has a church, two pubs, and a village hall, as well as a sports & recreation club and a local primary school. It’s ideal for families, commuters, and retirees looking to enjoy the Hertfordshire countryside.
Looking to buy a new home in Hitchin?
Our peaceful developments make living in Hitchin an excellent choice for families, commuters, and retirees. If you think that this pleasant Hertfordshire town could be your next dream home, book an appointment to view our new builds in Hitchin today.