Choose from a rich and diverse range of locations in North Herts:
Market towns
Hitchin
A lively market town, with an array of bars, pubs and restaurants and local independent shops. The town is full of culture, history and things to do.
Letchworth Garden City
The first garden city in the world, Letchworth has beautiful tree-lined streets and first-class amenities. It has a mix of independent stores, national chains and eating places, all within an elegant pedestrian-friendly town centre.
Baldock
Baldock town centre has a strong local identity with its wide High Street and many attractive historic buildings within a small area, making it a unique gem of an historic market town.
Royston
A market town surrounded by countryside and lovely villages. A real community spirit and a wealth of amenities and events make Royston an increasingly popular town.
Parks and nature reserves
We have a number of council-owned parks in North Herts, with five having been awarded green flags:
- Oughtonhead Common in Hitchin
- Ivel Springs in Baldock
- Howard Park and Gardens in Letchworth
- Norton Common in Letchworth
- Priory Memorial Gardens in Royston
Visit the council’s website for the full list of parks, nature reserves and greenspaces.
Picturesque villages
North Herts boasts many attractive villages. Ashwell, near Royston, was named by Time Out as one of the best 'chocolate box villages' to visit outside of London, with beautiful 14th and 15th century cottages along the High Street, and Ashwell Springs with its stepping stones, waterfall (all be it a small one) and clear water.
Preston is another village that comes up a lot when people are thinking about their favourite parts of Hertfordshire. It has almost everything you'd need and the only sounds you will hear are the birds, the odd car, children playing and the occasional rumble of an aircraft!
Pools and leisure centres
Hitchin and Letchworth both have stunning 50m outdoor pools which are very popular with filming companies.
North Herts Council also operate three leisure centres under a contract with Stevenage Leisure Limited:
- Royston Leisure Centre
- North Herts Leisure Centre in Letchworth
- Archers and Hitchin Swimming Centre in Hitchin
Markets
Hitchin Market is an award-winning market located just off the town square offering a wide range of stalls. It includes a general market, antiques and collectors, car boot sales, craft and farmers markets. The market is run by Hitchin Markets Limited on behalf of North Herts Council.
Markets also take place in Baldock and Royston, but these are not owned by North Herts Council.
Interesting buildings and facades
We have an array of interesting facades and building fronts in North Herts:
Charnwood House
A grade II Listed semi-detached property in Hitchin built in the 19th Century. It once served as a public library and later a public museum. The building features an attractive, prominent two storey bay on the front (south-west) elevation with adjacent recessed front entrance.
Hitchin Town Hall
A community facility available to hire to residents of North Herts. Extensive refurbishment of this grade II listed building has been undertaken to provide a first-class events space. Take a look at what's on at Hitchin Town Hall here.
Council Offices
The District Council Office is a modern, eye-catching office building owned by North Herts Council and based in Letchworth town centre with lots of parking. It has large council chamber, as well as an open plan foyer with a mix of large office spaces and private creatively designed meeting rooms.
Stately homes
The Council do not own these properties and you will need to approach them directly if you wish to film there.
Knebworth House
North Herts is home to the stunning Knebworth House, with its romantic exterior of turrets, domes and gargoyles silhouetted against the sky providing an inspirational setting for filming.
St Paul’s Walden Bury
St Paul's Walden Bury is the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and is a traditional country estate set in the heart of the beautiful North Herts countryside. The house and garden can be visited by appointment and the house and gardens are available for hire.