The pretty London commuter towns and villages getting new fast trains

Horses graze in an open field in view of the viaduct near Welwyn village
-Credit: (Image: RDImages/Epics/Getty Images)


New fast trains from towns and villages north of London have been announced. They will travel to the capital from four stations.

Customers will be able to catch the services from the towns of Letchworth and Hitchin, as well as the villages of Knebworth and Welwyn in Hertfordshire. Trains from the latter will set off from Welwyn North Station.

This stop also serves the village of Digswell. The Comet reports that, from Monday, December 16, three additional services will run in both the morning and evening from Letchworth Garden City to London King’s Cross, stopping at Hitchin, Knebworth and Welwyn North only.

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Letchworth Garden City train station is seen on January 4, 2017
The trains will serve Letchworth Garden City Station -Credit:Leon Neal/Getty Images

Historic and scenic settlements

Letchworth in North Hertfordshire is noted for being the first garden city. Historic England says that these aimed to establish 'better housing, more space and a new relationship between town and country'.

This ‘perfect combination’ would include 'high-quality, affordable homes in well-planned communities'. Hitchin is a market town in the valley of the River Hiz at the north-eastern end of the Chiltern Hills.

Next to the settlement is Oughtonhead Common Nature Reserve, one of the larger fen woodlands in Hertfordshire. Knebworth includes the village itself, the small village of Old Knebworth and Knebworth House - a 'lavish' Tudor stately home and gardens, which host rock concerts.

A general view of Knebworth House
Knebworth House is an historic house and the former stately home of the author and politician Edward Bulwer Lytton -Credit:RDImages/Epics/Getty Images)

Welwyn Village is also known as Old Welwyn too distinguish it from the much newer and larger settlement of Welwyn Garden City, around a mile to the south. Welwyn is famous for its Roman history, including a road.

Change announced by MPs

Labour MPs for Stevenage and Welwyn Hatfield, Andrew Lewin and Kevin Bonavia, announced that Govia Thameslink Railway would be restoring the services.

Mr Bonavia told The Comet: “After years of tireless campaigning from the Knebworth community, I wanted to make sure fast train services were finally restored from the village into London."

Mr Lewin said: "I know how important it is to have fast and regular services, especially at peak times and I am delighted they will be operating additional fast services from Welwyn North to London from December."

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