film location
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - Making of Harry Potter
The Leavesden studios where all eight films were shot; the tour preserves the original Great Hall, Diagon Alley and Hogwarts Express sets.
4 km · about 10 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomEngland
Watford
England, United Kingdom · Europe
About Watford
Watford works well as a base: 5 minutes from Garston, 21km from ZSL London Zoo.
Watford is in England, United Kingdom, with about 130,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Garston, about 4 km away.
Watford ( ) is a town and non-metropolitan district with borough status in Hertfordshire, England, 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Central London, on the banks of the River Colne.
Initially a small market town, the creation of the Grand Junction Canal during the Industrial Revolution encouraged the construction ofRead more
paper-making mills, print works, and breweries. While industry has declined in Watford, its location near London and transport links have attracted several companies to site their headquarters in the town. Cassiobury Park is a public park that was once the manor estate of the Earls of Essex.
The town developed next to the River Colne on land belonging to St Albans Abbey. In the 12th century, a charter was granted allowing a market, and the building of St Mary's Church began. The town grew partly due to travellers going to Berkhamsted Castle and the royal palace at Kings Langley. A mansion was built at Cassiobury in the 16th century. This was partly rebuilt in the 17th century and another country house was built at The Grove.
Where to Stay in Watford
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Watford?
Within an hour or so of Watford: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - Making of Harry Potter (4 km), Ace Cafe London (15 km), Burnham Beeches (Robin Hood, Harry Potter, Sleepy Hollow) (19 km), Stoke Park, Buckinghamshire (Goldfinger golf match) (20 km).
Are there any good drives near Watford?
The nearest famous roads are Crystal Palace Circuit, Goodwood Festival of Speed and Rhinefield Ornamental Drive.
Where is Watford?
Watford is in England, United Kingdom, about 4 km from Garston.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 125,707
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- England
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 51.6553, -0.3960
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Watford
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
cafe
Ace Cafe London
The 1938 North Circular roadside cafe that became the home of the ton-up boys and rocker culture, reopened on its original site in 1997 and still holding weekly bike and classic car meets.
15 km · about 30 min drive
film location
Burnham Beeches (Robin Hood, Harry Potter, Sleepy Hollow)
The ancient pollarded beech woodland close to Pinewood Studios is one of Britain's most-filmed forests.
19 km · about 20 min drive
film location
Stoke Park, Buckinghamshire (Goldfinger golf match)
The Palladian clubhouse and course hosted the celebrated golf match between Bond and Goldfinger, and reappeared in Tomorrow Never Dies.
20 km · about 25 min drive
film location
The Blue Door, Notting Hill
The doorway of William Thacker's flat at 280 Westbourne Park Road in the film Notting Hill, a short walk from Portobello Road market.
20 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
ZSL London Zoo
The world's oldest scientific zoo, opened in 1828, located in Regent's Park in central London.
21 km · about 25 min drive
museum
Science Museum London
Home to pioneering scientific achievements including Stephenson's Rocket and the Apollo 10 command module.
23 km · about 25 min drive
museum
Natural History Museum
World-renowned museum in a stunning Romanesque terracotta building, housing 80 million specimens spanning 4.5 billion years of life on Earth.
23 km · about 25 min drive
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
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