An ever-popular destination, Watford - at just eight miles squared - is a town which punches above its weight. From a thriving town centre with fantastic shopping, nightclubs and restaurants to a Premiership football team, theatres, award-winning parks – including Cassiobury, one of the nation’s top 10 parks – there is something for everyone in this Herts-cum-London town.
There are plenty of things to do, whether it’s keeping the children entertained, playing at our excellent golf courses or enjoying brilliant cuisine, making it an excellent location to live and visit! This includes:
Thanks to the £180million extension to the Atria shopping centre, formerly known as the Intu, Watford is now ranked in the top 20 of CACI’s national retail rankings. Its thriving town centre also hosts the acclaimed annual Imagine Festival filled with performances by international artists and the Watford Big Events programme, a series of big outdoor events for all the family. There are also two leisure facilities in the area, including Watford Central Leisure Centre and Woodside Leisure Centre, offering a wide variety of classes, from Zumba to Pilates. West Herts Golf Club, boasting 100 years of golfing tradition, offers 18 holes surrounded by stunning woodland. And with tree-lined fairways and well-bunkered greens, it has always been a golfer’s course.
The town centre is the perfect place to let your hair down, with everything from bars and pubs, to nightclubs and comedy venues. There is also wide choice of restaurants, particularly in the town centre. Watford has also achieved the prestigious Purple Flag status for its evening and night-time economy (ENTE). Areas awarded the Purple Flag are recognised for providing a vibrant and diverse mix of dining, entertainment and culture while promoting the safety and wellbeing of visitors and local residents.
Watford Palace Theatre, a beautiful 600-seat Edwardian theatre, is considered to be one of the ‘creative hubs at the heart of Watford’. Watford Colosseum - famous for having some of the best acoustics in the country, where the Star Wars and Lord of the Rings (amongst others) soundtracks were recorded - is one of Watford’s major assets, featuring a main auditorium as well as a cafe, restaurant and a number of bars. The Pump House, a small but vibrant theatre, is home to a nationally acclaimed youth theatre group and provides facilities for a whole variety of local arts groups.
Watford’s green spaces have been granted more Green Flag awards than anywhere else in Hertfordshire for the third year running. Twelve parks and open spaces in Watford are now recognised by the Green Flag Award Scheme; as some of the very best in the country. The Green Flag status parks in Watford are: Cassiobury Park, Woodside Playing Fields, Cheslyn House and Gardens, Waterfields Recreation Ground, Callowland Recreation Ground, North Watford Playing Fields, Oxhey Park, St Mary’s Churchyard, Goodwood Recreation Ground, Paddock Road Allotments, North Watford Cemetery, and for the first time - Harwoods Recreation Ground.
Cassiobury Park is the jewel in Watford’s crown. You can have a great day out in this fantastic, Green Flag award-winning beauty spot, which has recently been voted one of the top 10 parks in the UK. With the new award winning Cassiobury Park Hub, state of the art paddling pools with exciting splash pool and water features, a booming bandstand and a packed programme of activities all year round, it’s a great day out for the whole family.
Watford FC is much more than a football club. Heavily supported by former Chairman Sir Elton John, the stadium has also seen concerts played on the pitch. They are strongly linked to the local community through the Watford FC Community Sports & Education Trust who work with local children and young people, as well as supporting other local charities. The club can be hired for functions, including the use of the Elton John suite, and also provides an excellent corporate package.
For more information, visit www.visitwatford.com
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