Watford: Where London Ends and Hertfordshire Begins
"North of Watford Gap" is a phrase people use to mean "the north of England," but the Watford in question is a service station in Northamptonshire, not this town. The real Watford sits at the top of the Metropolitan Line, just inside the M25, in a position that is technically Hertfordshire but functionally London. The distinction generates mild identity confusion that residents have learned to live with.
The High Street and the Intu Watford shopping centre (now under new ownership after Intu's collapse) form the commercial core. The Colosseum, originally a 1930s cinema, now operates as a live music venue. Cassiobury Park, extending along the River Gade, is one of the largest public parks in Hertfordshire and regularly features in national quality rankings. The population is around 125,000.
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"North of Watford Gap" is a phrase people use to mean "the north of England," but the Watford in question is a service station in Northamptonshire, not this town. The real Watford sits at the top of the Metropolitan Line, just inside the M25, in a position that is technically Hertfordshire but functionally London. The distinction generates mild identity confusion that residents have learned to live with.
The High Street and the Intu Watford shopping centre (now under new ownership after Intu's collapse) form the commercial core. The Colosseum, originally a 1930s cinema, now operates as a live music venue. Cassiobury Park, extending along the River Gade, is one of the largest public parks in Hertfordshire and regularly features in national quality rankings. The population is around 125,000.
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