Watford, a town and borough, in Hertfordshire, England. The town had 102,300 people at the 2011 census.
Watford is famous for its history, football club, nature reserves, Warner Bro. Studio Park, and Museum display.
The Warner Bro. Studio Tour offers the opportunity to see behind the scenes of movie-making, including the costumes and props. At Cassiobury Park, people can explore an untouched wetland nature reserve.
There are quite some fun things to do in Watford, Hertfordshire, as well as places to visit. At Watford Museum, local history is on display, while Hertfordshire Fire Museum displays artifacts, memorabilia, and ephemera about the history of firefighting in the town.
Visitors with pets will like the Chesyln House & Gardens, a dog-friendly garden with a strolling path with lots of unique and exotic plants.
Parents and kids can have fun and enjoy nutritious meals at Parents Paradise Children’s Play Station.
Are you planning a trip to Watford? Here are some of the best things to do in Watford, Hertfordshire.
Things to Do in Watford
1. Cassiobury Park
Cassiobury Park
Cassiobury Park, a 250-hectare Park, is the largest park in Watford and is frequently regarded as the “jewel in Watford’s crown.”
The Park is close to the town’s centre, a short stroll from Watford junction station. It has a renovated car park on Gade Avenue.
The River Gade flows through the Park, surrounded by the Grand Union Canal. This Park is rich in natural beauty and is frequently visited by tourists and locals.
Cassiobury Park has play areas and amenities for kids of all ages, tranquil areas for picnics, beautiful riverside walks, open spaces suitable for sports, and numerous magnificent old trees and wooded areas.
A section of this Park has been made into a local nature reserve. You can visit the paddling pool complex with your kids during summer; it is free.
Plenty of grasses to put down your picnic baskets, a hard tennis court renovated in 2017, croquet lawns, and bowls rinks are featured here.
The Park’s old tea pavilion was renovated and now offers hot and cold food and drinks daily. The Daisy Café and Daisy outlet offers hot food and snacks.
This Park also contains two outdoor gyms, two kid’s playgrounds, and a small train that runs during weekends and school holidays when the weather is good. Cassiobury Park is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Watford, Hertfordshire.
Address: Gade Ave, Watford WD18 7LG, United Kingdom
2. Cheslyn Gardens
Cheslyn Gardens
The Earl of Essex owned the land until 1888, and in the 1940s, architects Henry Colbeck and his Wife Daisy bought the land.
Henry Colbeck and Daisy built a house and grew the garden for over 20 years before they sold it to Watford Council in 1956.
The Gardens are a sight for sore eyes, filled with sculptures and exotic species collected by the couples during travels around the globe.
The Watford Council included herbaceous borders and a pond in the Gardens. You can take your kids to the aviary, which contains finches, quails, budgerigars, and other birds.
Address: Nascot Wood Rd, Watford WD17 4SL, United Kingdom
3. Waterways And Grand Union Canals
Watford is filled with different waterways cutting through and around the town.
The most popular is the Grand Union Canal which runs through Rickmansworth, Watford, and North through Kings Langley.
These waterways are suitable for tranquil canal-side walks that lead into and by various parks, such as the Rickmansworth Aquadrome and Cassiobury Park.
The waterways are peaceful and often filled with swans, geese, and ducks paddling about.
Although fishing is allowed on the canal, it is required that you have a license and check the area that allows fishing.
Address: Watford, England
4. Atria Watford
Atria Watford
Some of these outlets at the shopping mall are brands like Hugo Boss, Jack Wills, Hollister, H&M, Apple, River Island, and Flannels.
Aside from retail shops, Atria Watford has several cafés and restaurants that serve different meals and cuisines.
So if you want a light snack or proper dining, you will definitely find something at Atria Watford.
Some of the eateries that serve delicious meals at this place are tortillas, YO!, Five Guys, Nando, Ocean Bell Company, one of the independent coffee shops in Watford, and The Florist.
Address: 201 The harlequin, Watford WD17 2UB, United Kingdom
5. Warner Bros. Studio Tour
Warner Bros. Studio Tour
The Warner Bros. Film Studios is located inside Watford, and the Harry Potter franchise was produced here.
The Harry Potter Tour is one of the iconic indoor attractions that this town has to offer.
After the last Harry Potter Film was released, the studio created a three-hour tour using lifelike animatronics, props, customers, special effects, and sets from the franchise.
This three-hour tour pushes you into Harry Potter’s world, taking you into the Great Hall, down the Diagon Alley, and to the platform where you can enter the Hogwart Express Carriage featured in the movie.
Fans of the movie will have a blast selecting the outdated props and scrutinizing all the details in the costume, such as the Weasley Family Jumpers, Quidditch uniforms, and the Yule ball outfits.
Address: Studio Tour Dr, Leavesden, Watford WD25 7LR, United Kingdom
6. St Mary’s Church
St Mary’s Church
It is an active church in the town center of Watford High street. St Mary’s is part of the Anglican Diocese of St Albans and is the parish Church of Watford.
St Mary is designed with limestone window dressings and flint walls. The Church’s tower was built in the 15th century, but in 1871, the Church underwent a total renovation.
This Church is believed to be approximately 800 years. It has monumental sculptures from the Jacobean and Elizabethan eras and several burials of the local nobility.
St Mary’s Church is Grade I listed and is the oldest building in Watford.
Address: Church St, Watford WD18 0EG, United Kingdom
7. Watford Leisure Centre
During your first time at Watford Leisure Centre, you must register for an Everyone Active Card, watch a 15 minutes video, and consent to the Health Commitment Statement.
Without doing all these things, you won’t be allowed to access the facilities at this place. Watford Leisure Centre Central houses all the necessary facilities to keep fit and have fun simultaneously.
The gym has top-notch equipment designed to suit all your fitness needs, while the two swimming pools host swimming lessons and other activities suitable for swimmers of all skill levels and ages.
Also, you can enjoy group fitness classes that are okay for everyone, while the sports hall offers badminton, five-a-side football, and table tennis.
Regardless of the kind of activity you want, Watford Leisure Center Central offers an answer.
Watford Leisure Centre Central is operated by Everyone Active and is ideal for staying healthy and fit.
Address: Peace Prospect, Watford WD17 3HA, United Kingdom
8. Oxhey Park
Oxhey Park
Oxhey Park has been an annual receiver of the Green Flag award. This award is the highest award given to a public park.
The award recognized Oxhey Park’s level of maintenance and involvement in the local community and safety.
Oxhey Park has rolling hills, which are famous for sledders during winter. There’s also public art, a junior skate park, a plaza, a pump cape, a small football pitch, a children’s playground, and a fishing pond.
This multi-purpose facility is also designed for scooters, bikes, and boards.
Address: Eastbury Rd, Watford WD18 0HZ, United Kingdom
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9. Whippendell Wood and its Bluebells
Whippendell Wood
Whippendell Wood is located close to Cassiobury park. This 165 acres of woodland is filled with nature to observe and trails to explore.
One of the leading and most mentioned attraction at Whippendell Woods are the Whippendell Wood Bluebells which blossom during the spring season and vanishes as soon as they arrive.
If you are exploring these woods with your children or pet, keep them close to you or keep an eye on them.
Although the woods are pretty safe, it is extremely easy to get lost in the Woods due to the density of the woodland.
Address: Whippendell Wood, Watford, England
10. Watford Museum
Watford Museum
This Museum is situated on Lower High Street. The Watford Borough Council owns Watford Museum.
Watford Museum was established in 1982. It lies in a building that used to be the premises of Benskin’s Brewery.
The Museum’s collection includes displays about local history, fine art, sport, industry, and archaeology and has a unique exhibition about the Cassiobury Estate.
Watford Museum has a full calendar of events and activities throughout the year, ranging from themed walking tours of the town’s High Street to action-packed activities for kids.
The Museum also has a Little Galley Tearoom where you can buy fair trade drinks and cakes on the first Saturday of every month. Among the top things to do in Watford is to explore Watford Museum.
Address 194 High St, Watford WD17 2DT, United Kingdom:
11. Rickmansworth Aquadrome
Rickmansworth Aquadrome
Rickmansworth Aquadrome is a 4-1 hectare nature reserve and public park located on an old gravel quarry site. This destination is located in Rickmansworth, 13 minutes from Watford.
Three Rivers District Council owns and manages this public park. This nature reserve has two lakes which were created through the removal of gravel to the original Wembley Stadium.
The lakes include Bury Lake, used for canoeing and sailing, and Batchworth Lake, used for water skiing.
Rickmansworth Aquadrome features areas of woodland with trees like willows and oaks. There are also numerous birds, including moorhens and herons.
Additionally, you will find a large car park, children’s play area, and a café at this park. Ensure to add an exploration of this attraction to your checklist of what to do in Watford, Hertfordshire.
Address: Frogmoor Ln, Rickmansworth WD3 1NB, United Kingdom
12. Ninja Warrior
Ninja Warrior is a special, purpose-built indoor obstacle course influenced by the popular ITV hit show Ninja Warrior UK. Ninja Warrior is situated on North Orbital Road.
This adventure park is a wonderful Ninja Warrior experience for upcoming ninjas from 5 years of age and adults searching for a new fitness challenge.
Ninja Warrior Park has obstacles of different difficulty levels located around the arena. It includes balancing, climbing, trampolining, jumping, and a warped wall.
This park is a fantastic place to blow off steam, improve your fitness and agility, and have fun. Ninja Warrior park also has an inflatable course.
If you do not like participating in the activities, you can sit at the café and enjoy the viewing area.
Address: Kingsway North Orbital Rd, Watford WD25 7JZ, United Kingdom
13. Bhaktivedanta Manor
Bhaktivedanta Manor
Bhaktivedanta Manor was formerly known as Piggott’s Manor. George Harrison, a former Beatle, donated the building to the Hare Krishna movement in February 1973.
The Manor’s Woodland is dedicated to George Harrison and is surrounded by a lake. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness owns and runs the Manor.
This sanctuary is a place of reflection and exploration for people curious about spirituality. The Manor offers yoga, sacred music and dance, meditation, festivals, events and worship, courses, and vegetarian food.
The Bhaktivedanta Manor is open to the public for free throughout the year. The atmosphere at this place is friendly, and you will be treated like one of their own. Touring this Manor is one of the top things to do in Watford, Hertfordshire.
Address: Bhaktivedanta Manor, Dharam Marg, Hilfield Ln, Radlett, Watford WD25 8EZ, United Kingdom
14. Parents Paradise Children’s Play Station
You can visit Parents Paradise Children’s Play Station during your stay in Watford if you have kids under eleven, as it offers some of the fun things to do in Watford, Hertfordshire.
These children’s play facility aims to provide a safe and stimulating environment for kids to play and enjoy themselves.
This attraction has slides, bounce pads, electric go-karts for kids between five and eleven years, and climbing nets.
Also, they have a separate baby area, play frames, and a shooting gallery. In addition, they offer children’s parties ranging from toddler birthday parties to go-kart parties.
Parent’s Paradise Children’s Play Station also has a café that serves nutritious meals and caters to children with food allergies.
Aside from tiring kids out, Parent Paradise also has a coffee shop, allowing parents to hang out with friends and family while having a beverage and being able to keep an eye on their kids.
Address: Greatham Road Industrial Estate, C, Greatham Rd, Watford, Bushey WD23 2NZ, United Kingdom
15. The Forties Experience
The Forties Experience
The Forties Experience is a museum and historical experience about the Second World War and is situated in Bushey. Bushey is 9 minutes away from Watford.
The Forties Experience is housed in what used to be the operational base of the 8th Fighter Command US Air Force squadron during the Second World War.
There are various remade scenes and buildings, including an office club, a 1940’s house, a 1940s street scene with a general store, and a village school room.
Other things to see and engage in include a showcase about the land army, a dig for the Victory garden, a collection of wartime toys and games, lectures from wartime evacuees, a military museum, and numerous informational displays about different wartime themes.
On open days, you can take a jeep ride to have a first-hand experience of a London Blitz raid.
Address:29 Lincoln Field, Bushey Hall Drive, Bushey, WD23 2ES, Clouston Ave, Bushey WD23 2AX, United Kingdom
16. Escape Hunt
One of the fun things to do in Watford, Hertfordshire, is to participate in Escape Hunt.
Escape Hunt offers people an immersive and exciting experience with its clues and puzzles.
Escape Hunt has five different themed rooms and 5 VR experiences complete with riddles, clues, and puzzles to solve within 60 seconds.
From getting away from the Wild West to looking for Blackbeard’s treasure, these rooms are thrilling and sometimes an infuriating experience as you run to finish before the timer goes off and escape with colleagues, friends, family, and partners.
This is a group activity, so you have to book in groups of 2-6; if you visit with more people, they can make provisions for a larger group.
Address: Unit R4, Atria Watford 201 The Harlequin, Watford WD17 2AU, United Kingdom
17. Hertfordshire Fire Brigade Museum
Hertfordshire Fire Brigade Museum is designed to showcase the history of Firefighting in Hertfordshire.
The Museum has two 19th-century hand manual fire appliances, a 1937 Leyland fire appliance, a 1942 Dennis trailer pump used during World War 2, and an 1896 Shand-Mason horse-drawn steam-powered fire engine.
The Museum is also filled with old helmets, vintage fire hydrant signs, station bells, and banners. People are allowed to try the museum uniforms and hold the equipment.
Hertfordshire Fire Brigade Museum has a wide photographic display and resource library.
Although the Museum’s opening time is irregular, it is open on Saturday afternoons during summer.
Entry into the museum is free, and donations are highly welcome since ex-fire service officers voluntarily operate the Museum.
Address: Lower High Street Fire Station, Watford WD17 2AG, England
18. Putt Club Crazy Golf Watford
Putt Club Crazy Golf Watford is an exciting nine-hole motorsport-themed indoor golf course.
It’s an addictive era of crazy golf, with surprises and lots of fun. Putt Club Crazy Golf Watford is basically Motorsport combined with crazy golf.
This thrilling facility has been designed for putters to ensure you have the best experience possible.
Putt Club Crazy Watford is an excellent facility for groups and families, from the smallest putter to the professional adults.
The facility even hosts birthday parties and a bar with snacks and drinks in case you want to spend more time there.
The facility is open the majority of the year, and there’s plenty of free on-site parking.
Address: Greatham Road Industrial Estate, Greatham Rd, Watford, Bushey WD23 2NZ, United Kingdom
19. The Cooking Academy
The Cooking Academy
The Cooking Academy is passionate about food and wants to share its passion for great tasting with you.
The Cooking Academy is located in Rickmansworth, 13 minutes from Watford. Kumud Gandhi is the founder of The Cooking Academy, established in 2007.
Kumud Ghandi is trained in food science and is passionate about combining food science, fantastic taste, and nutritional value.
The ethos of the cooking Academy is explaining the chemical composition and Ayurvedic and herbal values of food so that the ingredients are rich and it looks and tastes divine.
The cookery classes will teach you how to cook in a way that will excite your mind, give joy to your palette and satisfy your soul. The Academy will also teach you how to cook in a way that suits your lifestyle and food that meets your dietary requirements.
The Cooking Academy aims to keep you enthusiastic about food and ensure that your cooking Mo Jo spirit is always high.
Address:Silverwood, London Rd, Rickmansworth WD3 1JR, United Kingdom
20. Watford Colosseum
Watford Colosseum
Watford Colosseum is a brick-building building built in 1938. At that time, it was known as the Watford Town Hall Assembly Rooms.
This 1,260-seat venue is located in the center of Watford. It is home to the most fantastic entertainment and music outside London.
One Direction, Sarah Millican, The Faces, Marc Bolan, Ricky Gervais, Melanie C, Oasis, and Jools Holland, are some of the people that have performed on the stage of Watford Colosseum.
This concert venue is world recognized destination for its acoustic features. Julian Lloyd dubbed it “The Finest recording venue in the world,” It has served as a venue to record the soundtracks of The Sound of Music and The Lord of the Rings.
Address: Rickmansworth Rd, Watford WD17 3JN, United Kingdom
21. Watford Palace Theatre
Watford Palace Theatre
One of the best things to do in Watford, Hertfordshire, is to watch a live performance at Watford Palace Theater.
This Edwardian Grade II listed building was opened in 1908. The Theatre has 699 seats, and in 2004, it was renovated. Watford Palace Theater has a café, bar, rehearsal room, and wardrobe.
When Watford Palace was first opened, pre-cinema celebrities such as actor Evie Greene and Singer Marie Lloyd performed here and staged music hall shows.
Watford Palace Theatre’s central aim is to motivate. The theater features growing local talents and locally produced shows throughout the year.
It entertains community members with creative and inclusive musicals, drama, family shows, outdoor festivals, youth theater classes, stand-up comedy, and film screenings.
Address: 20 Clarendon Rd, Watford WD17 1JZ, United Kingdom
22. The d20 Board Game Café
Among what to do in Watford, Hertfordshire, is to play board games at The d20 Board Game Café.
The d20 Board Game Cafe is an independent coffee shop in Watford. This destination aims to create a special place in the community where individuals of all ages can interact with old and new people and enjoy tabletop gaming.
The d20 Board Game café houses more than 900 board games with different genres, types of play, and skill levels. This facility has games ranging from childhood classics to new and upcoming ones.
Aside from games, the d20 Board Game Café offers a range of hot, soft, alcoholic beverages and snacks, making it a pretty good spot to pass the time learning a game.
The staff at d20 Board Game Café are friendly, and the choices of food and drinks are excellent.
Address:87 Queen’s Rd, Watford WD17 2QN, United Kingdom
23. Cassiobury Farm And Fishery
Cassiobury Farm and Fishery is open only on specific dates or for private booking.
Cassiobury Farm and Fishery is situated at the southern tip of Cassiobury Park.
This destination is more of a conservation center than a farm. It houses unique breeds and exotic animals like Capybaras, Rhea, and Reindeer.
Address: Rousebarn Ln, Croxley Green, Watford, Rickmansworth WD3 3GG, United Kingdom
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Plan Your Trip to Watford
Watford is a town filled with attractive parks, history, and lots of children’s activities.
There are lots of things to do in Watford. The town is perfect for outdoor lovers. Notwithstanding, there are attractions for various categories of tourists. What is certain is that you will enjoy your stay in this town. So come along with someone to maximize the fun experience.