WELWYN GARDEN CITY takes its name from Old Welwyn, an ancient and picturesque village to the north. Digswell Lodge is located on the west side of Welwyn Garden City adjacent to Digswell village, also steeped in history.

Created in 1920 by the father of the New Town Movement, Sir Ebenezer Howard, Welwyn Garden City has long been an inspiration for planners and politicians. Its lush green, open quality and balance between living and working owes much to its founder’s vision and foresight.

Located in leafy, undulating Hertfordshire, the town is barely 32 kilometres (20 miles) from London, with easy access to the A1(M) and the M25 and on the First Capital Connect/GNER mainline rail route. Luton Airport is also within easy reach.

The town features tree-lined residential boulevards leading into its neo-Georgian centre dominated by a mile-long mall or scenic parkway, with a spectacular display of pools and fountains. The Howard Centre dominates one spur of Parkway and along with a large John Lewis department store and countless other stores and restaurants, shoppers are spoilt for choice. Campus West, to the north of Parkway, houses a theatre, a roller skating rink and the public library.

Welwyn Garden City’s business parks are equally well landscaped and tree lined and host top companies like Xerox, Tesco and Roche.

The town boasts three golf courses and the Gosling Sports Centre with superb facilities including tennis courts, a gymnasium and dry ski slope. To the south the River Lea flows through Stanborough Lakes with wonderful facilities for water sports including sailing, rowing and canoeing. A short distance from Digswell Lodge, Sherrardspark Wood is noted for its footpaths, bridleways and cycle tracks.