Watford

Watford boasts a long and interesting history that mainly revolves around agriculture and dates back to around 940 when it was first recorded. Watford is mentioned in the Doomsday Book as part of the Manor of Cashio.  Its early history indicates that the thriving town of Watford contained several trades by the 14th century, including wool, malting and leather. This was mainly as a result of the weekly markets which were held in the town and granted by Henry I.

The principal mode of transport of cargo and goods prior to 1837 into Watford was via the Grand Union Canal, however, on the arrival of the London to Birmingham railway line most traffic transferred to the railways.  In addition to providing a transport option for industries, by the end of the 19th century, the comprehensive rail network had transformed Watford into a popular commuting town.

Watford’s increasingly industrial nature continued into the 20th century and by the end of WWII included printing, light engineering and brewing, Benskins Brewery dominated the town for a number of years. Despite its industrial nature, the town still contains a number of historic remnants including the Church of St Mary. 

The property stock in Watford centres on a core of construction within the victorian era (predominantly in the north and west and typically terraced and semi-detached in nature).  This was followed by gradual development over the past century to include most styles of housing, the higher preponderance of modern construction can be found towards the northern suburban areas within such locales as Abbots Langley.

Watford centre offers a good range of amenities and facilities, including schooling and shopping facilities.  The Harlequin Centre in the town offers a large, modern shopping complex encompassing 7 major stores and in excess of 140 high street names and specialist stores, including Virgin Megastore, WHSmiths and Marks & Spencer.

Leisure wise, the town offers further facilities such as The Palace Theatre, the Colosseum, Jongleurs Comedy Club, Watford FC and Destiny night-club, appealing to all types of cultural, leisure and entertainment tastes.

Although situated close to the city of London and benefiting from the amenities of the same, Watford is set within green belt land.  One of the well-known areas of open space is Cassiobury Park, set some 10 minutes from the town centre. There are numerous leisure activities, including tennis courts and a croquet lawn, picturesque walks and space for relaxation. The town provides other parks, canals, cycle-tracks and open spaces.

Watford offers an excellent base for commuters and tourists alike. Its BR and Underground stations provide good services by rail into central London, around a 20 to 30 minute journey time into London Euston.  Additionally, the M1 and M25 motorways are within close proximity, offering access to nearby conurbations and the rest of the motorway network.  The major airports of the south-east, Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton and Stansted, are easily accessible.