Four fantastic churches - and a pub lunch!
Coach Tour from Hitchin with guide - Saturday 26th September 2026
£25 for Friends of the Trust and £35 for guests and others
The tour starts and finishes with two of "England’s Thousand Best Churches"
Simon Jenkins picked All Saints, St Paul’s Walden with its remarkable chancel and ‘wedding cake’ Baroque screen. The Queen Mother was baptised here.
Then St Mary's Hitchin - ‘ablaze with light’ and an amazing font and wood carving.
We will also visit the lovely medieval St Ippolyts, sitting high above a valley.
And finally St Mary's Great Wymondley with its Norman nave, chancel with curved apse and the beautiful arch shown in the picture. While castle earthworks lie close by.
An event not to be missed...
More information and how to book
Programme
The coach will pick us up from the Woodside Long Stay Car Park (North Herts DC) close to the centre of Hitchin at 9.30 am. Teas and coffees will be served at the first church we visit.
We will be going to St Paul's Walden, St Ippolyts and Great Wymondley in the morning.
The pub lunch will be at the Fox Inn, Willian from 1.00 pm to 2.30 pm. We will then return to the Woodside Car Park in Hitchin and walk to St Mary's, less than 10 minutes away.
After we have finished at St Mary's there are many cafes in and around the Market Square along with 'The Visit Hitchin Shop' which gives free maps and other info on the town.
You can walk back to the car park or train station (a 20 minute walk) when you are ready.
(More detail, updates and any other changes will be given before the tour.)
Mobility and risk
Most of the walking is on the level or up or down small inclines. Visiting historic churches and churchyards means that there can be uneven and loose surfaces and steps.
The remains of the motte and bailey castle at Great Wymondley are close to the churchyard but the very rough link and features should not be attempted without good mobility.
Those coming on their own will be asked for an emergency contact in case of any problems.
Costs
Tickets for the tour are £25 for Friends of the Trust and £35 for guests and others. These charges do not cover the costs of the pub lunch which will be pre-booked and paid for individually on the day. The whole party is limited to 22 so make sure you book early.
If you don't want to pay online or have any questions about the tour, please contact the Events Secretary at [email protected]
Purchase tickets for Four churches tour
St Mary's, Great Wymondley