Don't hit the open road just yet though, there's plenty to see and do around Stevenage. Conceived as a 'new town' after the Second World War, in which London evacuees could live and breathe in the clean English countryside, the roots of Stevenage actually go way back. The 1960s' architecture of the town centre does nothing to take away the area's heritage, something that many visitors are keen to explore. Visit Stevenage Museum, which sits underneath St Andrew and St George's church near the town centre, and find out more about the Stevenage of Roman and Saxon times; there are also exhibits that tell tales of the modern town. 

The Stevenage Arts and Leisure Centre is the place to be for a taste of culture. There's an art gallery and the popular Gordon Craig Theatre hosts a range of performances throughout the year. 

Park your hire car for a while and stretch your legs in and around Stevenage. The town is proud of its many green spaces and walking trails. Within minutes you will feel like you've travelled for miles as you amble into woodland, where birdsong replaces the sound of everyday life. Pryor's Wood, also known as Box Wood, to the east of the town, is a particularly pleasant place to discover countryside on the doorstep of urban life. Look out for chiffchaff and a range of other birds, as well as fallow and muntjac deer. 

Collect your hire car at one of the convenient downtown locations in and around Stevenage. To find the best deals on car rental in Stevenage, book in advance using the price-comparison tool on TravelSupermarket.

Stevenage is extremely well placed for journeys by road as it sits just minutes from the A1, which connects England's capital of London with the Scottish capital, Edinburgh. With fast access to this road, it's easy to link up with other major routes, such as the M1, M40, M11 and M25 motorways. The nearest airport to Stevenage is London Luton Airport (LTN), at around a 30-minute drive.

That's not to say that you should travel far from Stevenage, as there are many highlights for tourists within minutes of the town. 

It's hard to ignore the illustrious history of Britain's elite here - you are surrounded by grand stately homes and country estates. Visit Knebworth House and Park, a 10-minute drive to the south of Stevenage, to tour the beautiful Gothic mansion and a host of outdoor activities that keep children happy. Knebworth Park is also famed as a rock venue. Audiences have been visiting here since the 1970s to worship their musical heroes, such as Led Zeppelin, The Who, Queen, and pop favourite Robbie Williams. You could also visit Hatfield House (a 20-minute drive) or, for smaller-scale residences of note, consider the short voyage to Shaw's Corner, the lovely country home of Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw. 

Little members of your travelling party will appreciate the trip to Church Farm, in nearby Ardeley, where they can play and feed the animals. 

If you want to see more of the English countryside and its towns and villages, you could be at the Essex seaside in less than 90 minutes from Stevenage, tucking into fish and chips at destinations such as Southend-on-Sea. Or, for further explorations of the glorious green hills of this beautiful country, drive in the opposite direction and spend some time among the Chiltern Hills.