Chilli Festival Walk: Aston End, Walkern & Benington (8.5 miles/14km - Leisurely, Booking Required)

This walk is for up to 30 people, including the leader.

A walk around farmland, woodland and villages east of Stevenage, with some gently sloping terrain. This will include a two-hour visit to Benington Chilli Festival (please note: tickets cost £12, and can be purchased upon arrival). Here, you will be able to browse stalls, and watch the entertainment that is available. Please note that there will be food stalls, but bringing a packed lunch is encouraged, as waiting times for food can be long.

Beginning from the edge of Stevenage, we will first pass through the small village of Aston End, before crossing farmland where there may be livestock. We will follow the River Beane as we join the Stevenage Outer Orbital Path (STOOP) for a short way as we approach Walkern. We should have a chance for a brief stop at the general store here if anyone needs to buy extra water or snacks.

From here, we will pass St. Mary's Church as we meander through the countryside, eventually reaching Benington duck pond, where we will stop for lunch before entering the Chilli Festival at Benington Lordship. This is a fortified site, dating back to Saxon Times, and includes the remains of a medieval motte and bailey castle, and a keep that was constructed in the 1830s, as well as some 20th-Century structures. Here, you will be free to wander around the gardens for the two hours that we will be there. You might recognise this as the filming location of TV and Netflix series including 1998's "The Scold's Bridle" and the "One Day" limited series.

We will then meet outside the Lordship, and pass Lord's Farm before we return to Aston End, where we will have the option of drinks at The Crown. For those who do not wish to stay for drinks, the pub is 10-15 minutes' walk from the start point.

Please note this walk is not suitable for dogs.

For information about walking with the group, including our dog policy, please visit the Stag Walkers website.

Booking your place: Please book your place using the free Meetup website/app. Join the Stag Walkers Meetup group and click the 'Attend' button on the event page.

Please do not turn up for a walk without booking, as places are limited.

If the walk is fully booked, please click 'join waitlist' then please check back regularly as you will likely get a place. The waitlist gives priority to single bookings so if you wish to bring a guest, we recommend booking separately.

Unless you opt in to further communications, we will only use contact information you provide to get in touch about the walk.