This active town in Hertfordshire sits 17 miles from central London, with a popular market, historic theatre, and professional football club drawing both locals and visitors.
Watford sits 15 miles northwest of Central London, where you'll find the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter, the 190-acre Cassiobury Park with its miniature railway, and the historic Edwardian Palace Theatre. With five railway stations connecting directly to London in 20 minutes, you can easily explore both Watford and the capital.
Getting Around Watford
You can reach Watford through five railway stations and a London Underground connection. Trains from Watford Junction take 20 minutes to London Euston, with additional routes to Birmingham, Manchester, and Scotland. The M1 motorway runs east of town, and the M25 London Orbital passes to the south, putting Heathrow Airport within 30 minutes' drive.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour
The Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden covers 80 hectares. On the Making of Harry Potter tour, you can explore original film sets including the Great Hall and Diagon Alley, see authentic props and costumes, and learn about the special effects used in the movies. The complex continues to produce new Hollywood films throughout the year.
Parks and Recreation
Cassiobury Park, the former estate of the Earls of Essex, extends across 190 acres. Children can splash in the paddling pool or ride the miniature railway, while walking paths follow the River Gade through the grounds. The town holds twelve Green Flag awards for its parks - the highest number in Hertfordshire.
Shopping and Town Center
You'll find 140 stores and restaurants in the Atria Watford shopping center downtown. The High Street runs parallel to the mall, with restaurants and pubs that come alive in the evening. Local vendors sell fresh produce and specialty items at Watford Market throughout the week.
Arts and Culture
The Watford Palace Theatre, dating from 1908, presents new productions and annual pantomimes in its 600-seat auditorium. You can see works by Turner and William Blake at the Watford Museum, located in a former brewery building. Film composers have recorded soundtracks for Star Wars and Lord of the Rings at The Colosseum due to its exceptional acoustics.
Sports and Recreation
Watch Watford Football Club play Championship matches at Vicarage Road Stadium, where they also run community programs through their Sports & Education Trust. You can swim and exercise at two leisure centers - Watford Central and Woodside. West Herts Golf Club maintains an 18-hole course set within mature woodland.
