Stevenage City Guide

Dining includes British pubs, and international options like Indian, Chinese, and Italian. Vegetarian and vegan choices are growing. Late-night food is mostly fast food.

Nightlife is modest with pubs, bars, and some clubs. It suits casual evenings, not wild nights.

Standard UK coffee chains and local cafes. Not known for specialty coffee.

Tipping is optional. Restaurants may add a 10-12.5% service charge. Rounding up taxi fares is common.

SIM cards from EE, Vodafone, O2, and Three are available in phone shops and convenience stores. Pay-as-you-go SIMs usually don't require ID.

Stevenage is generally clean with regular waste services.

Limited 24/7 options. Some petrol stations and convenience stores open all night; most shops and pharmacies close earlier.

Main supermarkets like Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, and Lidl offer international products. Stores open from early morning to late evening, shorter hours on Sundays.

Card and contactless payments are widely accepted. Cash is rarely needed for daily use.

ATMs are common at banks like Barclays, Lloyds, NatWest, and supermarkets. Non-network withdrawals rarely charge fees for UK cards; international cards may have bank fees.

Schools like The Thomas Alleyne Academy and John Henry Newman teach mainly in English. International school options exist nearby but are limited in Stevenage.

No strong digital nomad community; mainly independent remote workers.

Lots of green spaces and parks like Fairlands Valley Park. Many residential areas have tree-lined streets.

Good running routes, including parks and a parkrun event. Air quality is good.

Options include budget gyms, premium clubs, and leisure centres with classes.

Tennis courts are at parks and clubs like Stevenage Lawn Tennis Club.

Padel courts are rare, may be available at larger sports centres.

Several studios and classes with English-speaking instructors available.

Multiple clubs offering Karate, Taekwondo, Judo, Boxing, and some BJJ or Muay Thai. English-speaking instructors.

No natural ski resorts nearby; some indoor slopes within 30 mins drive.

Water sports at Fairlands Valley Park include sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, and paddleboarding.

Surfing requires driving several hours to coastal spots like Cornwall.

Diving mainly possible at coastal areas, not nearby.

Lister Hospital offers good care with English-speaking staff. NHS provides high-quality public healthcare. Pharmacies like Boots and Superdrug are common. Emergency number: 999.

Tap water is safe to drink directly.

Many parks and playgrounds like Fairlands Valley Park. Family-friendly cafes and leisure activities are available.

UK is generally safe and accepting. Stevenage is inclusive but lacks specific LGBTQ+ venues.

Many parks and services for pets. Pet-friendly accommodations and restaurants exist but check ahead.