Watford Travel Guide, United Kingdom

Watford, UK - Overview: One of the most well planned cities of UK

Watford is a town located in the district of Hertfordshire, England and is situated just 19miles northwest of the city of London. Watford is considered as the 47th largest urban area of England having a population of 120,960 according to the 2001 census. In the year of 1894, Watford was incorporated as an urban district under a Local Government Act. The city got the status of a municipal borough in 1922 by the grant of a charter during that period.

The city of Watford is well connected by road, rail and water. It is located close to the M25 motorway which rings London and the M1 motorway connecting London to northern England and Midlands. It is also connected by the West Coast Main Line, one of the important National Rail routes that connect London to Scotland, North West England and the Midlands. Apart from these, there are the London Over ground and London Underground services which run from the Watford Junction and the Watford Metropolitan line respectively. In terms of water transport, the city is located on the main Grand Union Canal roué which runs northwards from London. River Colne and River Grade run through the city. The nearest airports are the Luton Airport and the Heathrow Airport which are connected by regular bus and train services from Watford.

The city of Watford serves as an important commercial centre as it is also the only major regional centre for all the northern Home Counties. Harlequin Shopping Centre is the primary shopping area of the city having a large indoor mall and nearly 150 shops, cafes and restaurants. The night life of the city is largely popular as there is a large concentration of bars, restaurants and clubs in the High Street which runs through the centre of the town.

Watford serves as the headquarters of many national companies like the Camelot Group, Iveco, Haden Young, Bathstore, Taylor Woodrow and Mothercare, and many international companies like Sanyo, Beko, Vinci, Total Oil, Costco and Maxx.

The city has the famous Watford Palace Theatre which is the only producing theatre in the district of Hertfordshire. This theatre presents a large selection of world premieres, drama, comedy, annual traditional pantomime and family-friendly shows. Apart from these, there is the Arts Centre and the Pump House Theatre located in the lower high street of Watford. These centers also serve as a theatre, meeting place and rehearsal rooms for local arts groups.