Essential Hotels > England > Hertfordshire > Watford

The town of Watford originated on the route between London and the Midlands and today is situated approximately 20 miles north-west of the nation’s capital. Not to be confused with Watford Gap which is 50 miles further north, the town is set within the boundary of the M25 in Hertfordshire and has train stations and underground stations linking it up with London and beyond. Today, somewhere in the region of 80,000 people live in the borough of Watford, with many heading into the city nearby for employment.

A number of high-profile companies have their headquarters in Watford with the likes of JD Wetherspoon, the Camelot Group and British Waterways among the ranks. Along the High Street there are several bars, clubs and restaurants as well as shops of course, while the Harlequin Shopping Centre is also set in the centre of the town. More natural aspects of Watford come in the form of the River Gade and the River Colne and then there are the expanses of Cassiobury Park and Oxhey Park. There are also a couple of golf courses that provide further green spaces and sporting opportunities.

It was at the position the River Colne was forded that Watford developed, on the route between London and Birmingham. It is thought to have developed during the Saxon period of control due to the presence of houses next to the ford; indeed, Watford is thought to have been named after the stretch of water. Having been first mentioned in the 1007 Anglo-Saxon Charter the settlement grew in trade due to its strategic position. Later, in 1230, St Mary the Virgin Church was constructed, then in the 17th century the particularly grand and striking Grove and Cassiobury houses were built. The former was the seat for the Earls of Clarendon while the latter was for the Earls of Essex. Watford had been an agricultural community for many years although the introduction of the Industrial Revolution altered that somewhat; for example, the Grand Union Canal (formerly the Grand Junction Canal) was opened in 1798 and the London to Birmingham railway was unveiled in 1837. More recently, the 2006 World Golf Championships were held at the Grove Hotel.

Among the places to visit and things to see in Watford are a handful of museums and theatres. The Watford Museum showcases local history and Space2 is a programme of exhibits across the town. Watford Palace Theatre, the Pump House Theatre and Arts Centre, and the Watford Colosseum are known for their shows and concerts meanwhile.