Essential Hotels > England > Hertfordshire > Broxbourne

The town of Broxbourne is situated in the county of Hertfordshire, to the north of Waltham Cross and to the south of Hoddesdon. Thanks to its rivers and streams that pass through the region the area was set aside as a London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics venue, specifically for the canoeing and kayaking events. It is the only example of a purpose-built Olympics venue to be opened prior to its use for the main event itself.

The London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics canoeing and kayaking, more specifically, takes place at the Lee Valley White Water Centre which is fairly close to Waltham Cross and covers some 10,000 acres of land. The River Lee runs through this part of the country and virtually marks the border with Essex to the east. In Broxbourne itself there is a train station to help transportation, most notably to Charing Cross which is 17 miles to the south and which shows the settlement to be a convenient commuter town. Indeed, some 13,000 people live in Broxbourne and they are easily able to reach the M25 for example via the A10.

Broxbourne is home to the world’s largest printing plant and also features a series of red brick almshouses along its High Street that date back to the year 1728, adding a continuing feel of the area’s history to the town. Now lying on the former Great North Road between London and the north, the town was convenient as a stop-off point in years gone by. The Domesday Book of 1086 even mentioned surrounding features, the Manor of Broxbourne and the Broxbourne Mill, giving a glimpse into the extent of Broxbourne’s past. In the 15th century the church of St Augustine was entirely rebuilt while the 17th century saw the introduction of an artificial waterway known as the New River. Also of note, in 1840 Broxbourne train station was built to aid and ease the movement of people and goods around the region.

The Lee Water White Water Centre is not the only attraction to mention in the Broxbourne area; here visitors will also find the Paradise Wildlife Park, the Broxbourne Woods Nature Reserve and the Lowewood Museum, while there are also things to do in the surroundings, even a trip to London for example.