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Fairlands Valley Park

Open all year

48 hectares of beautiful parkland situated in the heart of Stevenage with 29 points of interest

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Abbots Grove Wood

Woodland

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Adventure trail play area

Playground

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Aqua Playground

Splash Park

The Aqua Playground is open during the summer, complete with kiosk and public toilet facilities. The Aqua play area contains equipment which sprays, squirts, mists or shoots water into the play area, giving a fun play for the youngsters in a safe and interactive environment. Great for cooling off in the summer sun!

Open 9.30am-5.30pm (weather permitting)

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Balancing Pond

Water Habitat

The Balancing Pond is the first in the chain of the Fairlands Valley Lakes, although there is not a permanent pond/lake here. The pond is fed by water from the storm drain network, and therefore only truly resembles a pond after substantial rainfall.

Periodically the Balancing Pond is cleared out to ensure that it retains its capacity.

Bandstand

Car Park

Food & Drink

For more information please visit Costello’s cafe website

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Environment Lake

Water Habitat

Marginals, native planting, trees and log piles provide attractive habitats suitable for a wide range of wildlife, from wildfowl to raptors, from amphibians to insects, and squirrels to foxes. Relining of the lake allowed the islands to be reshaped thus providing secure habitats.

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Fairlands Sailing Centre

Building

The 11 acre sailing lake is used for the centre�s dinghy, canoeing, kayak, windsurfing and powerboat courses. The Centre also runs many land-based courses and activities such as Boards & Buggies, Grass Sledging, Orienteering, Mountain Biking and Power Kiting. The newest addition to the Centre ‘So Challenging’ offers a thrill experience with a ropes course and climbing wall.

For more information please visit the Sailing Centre website

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Fairlands Way Car Park

Car Park

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Fishing area

Fishing

The main lake is an excellent location for carp fishing and course fishing with easy access disabled bays.

The angling activities at Fairlands are managed by Welwyn Garden City Angling Club.

For more information on fishing at Fairlands, please click here…

Woodland

Car Park

Water Habitat

Woodland

Fountain

Water Habitat

This lake is used primarily for model boat activities by Stevenge Model Boat Club. The lake also provides viewing platforms for visitors wishing to watch the boating activities or wanting to be close to the water to feed the wildfowl.

The island to this lake is a breeding area, providing nesting grounds for wildfowl. The annual town’s fireworks display is fired from the island

Woodland

Site of historical interest

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Monks Wood and Whomerley Wood

Woodland

Monk�s Wood and Whomerley Wood is the largest and finest example of ancient Oak and Hornbeam woodland in Stevenage. The woodland is over 25ha in size and is the perfect environment for a quiet walk or jog. There is plenty to see throughout the year and is particularly impressive in the spring time when bluebells carpet the woodland floor.

Playground

Building

The Sailing Centre provides changing rooms and toilets for individuals or groups using the water sport facilities; a workshop; classroom/meeting room; and caf� selling hot and cold food and drinks throughout the year.

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Shackledell Grassland

Meadow

This is a very special place for wildlife in the heart of Stevenage. More than 70 different plants grow here! The grassland is alive with mammals, birds, butterflies and insects � in fact, the wildlife is so rich that the site has been designated a County Wildlife Site. Follow the waymarker posts around the Grasshopper Trail from July to October to see what you can spot.

A haven for bush crickets and grasshoppers. Three species of grasshopper and six species of bush cricket are found here. This includes the UK�s largest insect, the great green bush cricket. Shackledell is the only place in Hertfordshire where this species can be seen. Listen out for highpitched buzzing or �singing� during the summer � the sound of grasshoppers and bush crickets trying to attract a mate.

Click here to see a copy of the Shackledell Grasshopper trail leaflet

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Shackleton Spring Wood

Woodland

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Shephall View Car Park

Car Park

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Southfield Car Park

Car Park

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Wiltshire’s Spring Wood

Woodland

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Park Information

Situated within the heart of Stevenage and covering 120 acres of beautiful parkland, Fairlands Valley Park provides extensive leisure facilities for all. The Park is renowned for its wide range of water sports facilities, with sailing, windsurfing, angling, kayaking and dragon boating taking place on the 11 acre Main Lake.

There is an excellent play area catering for children, toddlers right through to teenagers, located alongside an exciting water play facility.

The Park provides a variety of habitats which support a range of wildlife. In addition to the traditional short grass swards, Fairlands Valley Park also benefits from woodland, a network of lakes, long grass swards and grassland which provides a home to the Great Green Bush Cricket – the only colony in Hertfordshire.

Click here for more information about Fairlands Valley Park

The water sports activities and the high ropes course is run by Stevenage Leisure Ltd (SLL). For more information, click here…

Fishing is available on the Main Lake and is run by Welwyn Garden City Angling Club – day tickets can be purchased from the bailiff on duty.

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