"Knebworth" Knebworth by vichatherly

Knebworth Travel Guide: 31 reviews and 75 photos

Knebworth is my home

Knebworth is my home village and has been since I moved from Kent in 2002.

It has all that a village really needs including a local shop, a doctor’s surgery, a decent dentist, a post office, some tasty cafes and restaurants, a friendly church and more importantly really friendly inhabitants.

It is really two villages, Old and New. The original village, which is now known as Old Knebworth, developed around Knebworth House.

Development of the newer Knebworth village started in the late 19th century centred a mile to the east of Old Knebworth on the new railway station. In fact it was originally known as Knebworth Station.

It became known as New Knebworth before finally settling on just plain Knebworth.

Population of around 4,500.

Knebworth House

Gothic

The main highlight of Old Knebworth has to be the splendid Knebworth House and its grounds.

The house is owned by the Lyttons, and they have lived there for the past 500 years. Queen Elizabeth I stayed at Knebworth, Charles Dickens acted in private theatricals in the House and Winston Churchill's painting of the Banqueting Hall hangs in the room where he painted it.

Knebworth House is also famous for its rock concerts, which are held in the grounds. The likes of Pink Floyd in 1975, The Rolling Stones in 1976, Genesis and Frank Zappa in 1978, Led Zeppelin in 1979, The Beach Boys in 1980, Deep Purple in 1985, Queen in 1986, Paul McCartney & Eric Clapton & Elton John & Mark Knopfler & Jimmy Page & Robert Plant & Phil Collins & everyone else in 1990, Oasis in 1996, Robbie Williams in 2003 and now the Sonisphere Festival

The oldest part of Old Knebworth is the Church, St Mary’s which was built about 1120, and my wife, Nicola, and I were married there in 2007.

Knebworth

Bluebells in the woods

In “New” Knebworth the highlight is the fact that it is a quiet country spot with a mainline railway link to London. New Knebworth has a busy high street with a decent Indian, Chinese takeaway, Fish & Chip shop and a newly expanded co-op supermarket. Also there are a few friendly cafes, a very decent bakers and a family run butchers. For some reason we also have two Lloyds the Chemists, I haven’t got to the bottom of that one yet.

At one end of the high street you’ll find also Charles Lowe, who came in 1901, then a Cycle Agent and today is a thriving Builders Merchant.

Last visit to Knebworth: Jun 2003
Intro Updated Feb 3, 2012
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (31)

Visit the grave of John Derry Things to Do (13)

John Derry, who made the first supersonic flight in Britain in 1948. He had a distinguished and brave WWII record flying... more travel advice

Knebworth House - St Mary's Churchyard - Knebworth

Knebworth House - St Mary's Churchyard Things to Do (13)

more travel advice

St Thomas More Church Things to Do (13)

The Roman Catholic Church of St Thomas More, Knebworth, part of the Knebworth Family of Churches (KFC), built in... more travel advice

Village Newsagents Shopping (6)

This is the place to buy your daily newspaper before heading to the railway station for your daily commute. As with... more travel advice

Restaurants (6)
See All A Working Mans Cafe
Nightlife (3)
See All Rock Concerts
Sports & Outdoors (1)
Take a stroll around the park

Hotels (1)
Real Ale & Pie Nights
Transportation (1)
Direct train London Kings...
Been to Knebworth?
Share your travels with the world!

Travelogues (1)

Written Oct 3, 2011

8 photos

Sonisphere 2011 - 8th to 10th July

1 - 1 of 1

Comments (7)

Reply
- Report abuse
CatherineReichardt Feb 3, 2012 at 12:19 AM

Hi Vic
Fascinating 'virtual' tour Vic! I had no idea that there were dinosaurs at Knebworth Park - I just assumed that these were a transient feature when fossiliferous old rock bands were pulled out of retirement to appear at the festival!
Must try to fit in a visit next time we're in the UK - I'm a recovering Potters Barbarian!
Regards
Cathy
Reply
- Report abuse
mindcrime Oct 4, 2011 at 9:49 AM

hey! good job here! and great festival review
Reply
- Report abuse
lomi Apr 20, 2011 at 2:39 AM

Knebworth sounds a nice quite spot to live. You forgot to mention Artvango- where I am visiting on an art course soon...interesting you can get to York by train.
Reply
- Report abuse
zuriga Jul 6, 2005 at 6:22 AM

I assume you're not a Lytton.. I'll try to visit nonetheless.. next time we're up in St. Alban's. I enjoyed your photos, Vic.
Reply
- Report abuse
windsorgirl Jan 5, 2005 at 11:10 AM

Knebworth House looks fabulous! I would love the gardens....thanks for dropping by my NYC pages and Happy New Year!
Reply
- Report abuse
DUNK67 Aug 20, 2004 at 11:53 AM

some nice photos, great concert venue.
Reply
- Report abuse
chrishc Nov 28, 2003 at 5:58 AM

There is a cricket gound there as well. Played there a few times. Once when Oasis were making a noise next door.