watford. a guide to its parks & open spaces...watford a guide to its parks & open spaces...

"real hidden gemsawaiting your

discovery"

WatfordA guide to itsParks & Open

Spaces

WE AREWATFORD

watford.gov.uk

watfordcouncil

https://www.watford.gov.uk/

WATFORD A GUIDE TO ITS PARKS & OPEN SPACESWATFORD A GUIDE TO ITS PARKS & OPEN SPACES

ForewordHeG

One night (me thoughts) walking up one of my Lords line-walks, I heard the grateful Trees

Thus Paying the Tribute of their thanks to his Lordship:

Like Pyramids our Stately Tops wee’l Raise

To Sing our Noble Benefactor’s Praise;

Freshly we will to After-ages show

What Noble Essex did on us bestow;

For we our very Being owe to him,

Or else we had long since entombed been

In Crop of Bird, or in Beasts Belly Found,

Or meet our Death neglected on the ground;

By him we cherish’d were with Dung and Spade,

For which wee’l recompence him with our Shade;

And since his kindness saw us prun’d so well,

We will Requite him with our Fragrant smell;

In Winter (as in Gratitude is meet)

Wee’l strew our humble Leaves beneath his Feet.

Nay, in each Tree, Root, Trunck, Branch, all will be

Proud to Serve him and his Posterity.

Moses Cook, 1676, landscape designer for the Cassiobury Estate for the 1st Earl of Essex

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“real hidden gems awaiting your discovery” Cheslyn House and Gardens (page 6)

IntroductionParks and Open Spaces play a crucial role in enhancing thequality of life for local communities in Watford. They improvethe appearance of the town, and provide for informal recreation,sport and play. But the benefits are much wider than this. Theseinclude social benefits and opportunities, such as children’splay, passive recreation, active recreation, providing acommunity and cultural focus and are often an educationalresource.

The benefits to health are now well known. Recent and ongoingresearch has shown that contact with the natural world can benefitmental and physical health. Environmental benefits includereducing noise and harmful pollutants and the role they play insupporting much of our urban wildlife must not be underestimated.

In 2013, Watford adopted its Green Spaces Strategy and has sinceimproved many of its parks and open spaces, children’s play areasand allotments. Progress has been excellent and as a result,Watford’s green spaces continue to be much loved. The GreenSpaces Strategy sets a challenging target for continuedimprovement. One of the priorities was a new guide covering aselection of our many parks and open spaces, with historicalanecdotes and facilities available. Some of these are real hiddengems and are awaiting your discovery.

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WATFORD A GUIDE TO ITS PARKS & OPEN SPACES

� Alban’s Wood Local NatureReserve

Woodside Playing Fields, HorseshoeLane, Watford, WD25 7HH

A delightful ancient semi-natural oakwoodland with beech and some plantedhorse chestnut, sweet chestnut, cherry andsycamore located next to Woodside PlayingFields. Found here is a hazel coppice belowand ground cover of mainly bluebells orbramble. Bird species to be spotted includethe greater spotted woodpecker, nuthatch,treecreeper, as well as thrushes, finches andtits and, in the spring, chiffchaff and blackcap.Butterflies include purple hairstreak andspeckled wood are also often seen. Alsoabundant are grey squirrels, occasionalMuntjac deer, and red fox. Bat species includeboth species of pipistrelle and noctule.

� All Saints Churchyard

All Saints Crescent, Watford, WD 0LU

Now a closed churchyard, it was during theVictorian era that All Saints was founded,

being designed and built in 1853 by SirGeorge Gilbert Scott who is better known asthe architect of St. Pancras Station and theAlbert Memorial in Kensington Gardens. TheChurch is of flint and has the appearance ofsimple gothic design so that it is sometimesmistaken for being of a much greater age andincludes a Lady Chapel which was furnishedin the 1920s as a memorial to the men of theparish who gave their lives in the First WorldWar. Horseshoe Lane took its name from ablacksmith’s forge, which stood opposite thechurch. This has now been demolished andmoved to the Chiltern Open Air Museum.

� Berry Avenue Open Space

Berry Avenue, Watford, WD24 6ST

A small open space with children’splayground for toddler and junior agesupgraded in 2015, a seating area and greenspace adjacent. Popular with local childrenand the adjacent school. Facilities: Children's playground.

� Buryfield Nature Garden

Hatfield Road, Watford, WD24 4DB

Buryfield is a nature garden created from aformer old garage site between two roads offSt. Albans Road. The garden, which coversabout 1000 square metres, runs betweenSalisbury Road and Hatfield Road and hasbeen transformed beyond all recognition.It is now a haven for wildlife and residents,both looking for a peaceful green oasis inwhich to relax. Native trees such as hawthornand holly create a hedge all around the siteand a woodland copse. Over 30 species ofwild flowers and grasses have been sown inthe garden and the pond has been planted upwith native aquatic plants. The garden is openfor visitors during the day and locked eachnight. Entry is from Hatfield Road and the siteis fully wheelchair and buggy accessible. Facilities: Pond.

Alban’s Wood

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� Callowland RecreationGround

Ashby Road, Watford, WD24 5GU

The Callowland area inNorth Watford wasdeveloped during thenineteenth century. In1881 Callowland

belonged to the Earl of Essex who purchasedthe land from the Master and Fellows ofMerton College, Oxford. By 1890 housebuilding was underway. In the early twentiethcentury Watford Council purchased 130 acresof Callowland Estate with a view to housebuilding. The area had become industrialisedwith the introduction of two cocoa works, Dr.Tibbles VI-Cocoa and Bolsselier’s Chocolates,a printing works and the London and NorthWestern Railway Company.

The recreation ground was certainly there in1910 with entrances at either end of AshbyRoad linked to a perimeter path systembordered by Lime trees. By the 1930s, alavatory, children’s playground, bowling greenand pavilion, with 2 shelters were present. Bythe 1960s a pavilion with tennis courts hadbeen added. Today the recreation ground is popular withlocal residents, families and children and hasmany wonderful facilities including a largeMulti Use Games Area, play area for all ages,table tennis tables, outdoor gym, bowlinggreen, changing rooms and football pitches.With an investment of over £600,000, theCallowland Recreation Ground is now one ofour most popular open spaces in the town. Facilities: Playground, multi use gamesarea, table tennis, outdoor gym, bowlinggreen, football pitches, changing rooms.

Callowland Recreation Ground

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� Cassiobury Park and Whippendell WoodCassiobury Park Avenue, Watford, WD187HY

Cassiobury Park isWatford’s premier park, amultiple Green FlagAward winner and alsoour oldest public park. It

has also been voted in the top 3 most popularparks in the country and is worthy of thisaccolade. Its history is immense. The manor of Cassio, which was owned by theAbbey of St Albans, was mentioned in theDomesday Book in 1086. In 1546 Henry VIIIgranted Cassio to Richard Morison, who startedto build a house befitting his status, but diedbefore it was finished. His son Charles oversawthe completion, and the house was passeddown the male line until 1628, when ElizabethMorison married Arthur, Lord Capel ofHadham. The estate remained in theownership of the Capel family until it was soldin 1922.Elizabeth and Arthur’s son, Arthur, was madeViscount Malden and Earl of Essex in 1661. Heemployed the gardener Moses Cook to set outformal gardens, and the house was extensivelyremodelled in the early 1700s by the architectHugh May. Gardeners Charles Bridgman andThomas Wright both worked on the estate inthe eighteenth century, and Humphry Reptonwas commissioned to landscape the park in thelater part of the century. As part of this work, anumber of lodges and other buildings werebuilt, some still surviving. The Earls of Essex occupied Cassiobury formore than 250 years. When the 6th Earl died in1892, it was clear that little maintenance hadbeen carried out on the house in the previousfifty years, consequently many of the familypaintings and other valuables were sold toprovide funds. By 1900 the house had ceasedto be used as a permanent residence, and in1908 parts of the estate were sold off. TheUrban District Council paid £24,500 for 65acres in 1909, to add to some land which hadbeen purchased in 1908, and added a further

25.5 acres, costing £7,000, in 1912, to create a“people’s park and pleasure ground.” Moreland was purchased in 1923 and 1930, the WestHerts Golf Course in 1932 and WhippendellWood in 1935.Sadly, by this time the house had beendemolished, 1927 saw its demise. Constructionof the present day Cassiobury residential estatebegan soon after, and the old stable blockconverted into Cassiobury Court in RichmondDrive. Today Cassiobury has over 2 million visits ayear to experience the hustle and bustle of thePools, to the elegance of the Cha Tea Pavilion,or the wilderness of Whippendell Wood. It ishome to Watford (Cassiobury) Croquet Club,Watford Bowls Club, with football and cricketfacilities available as well as the Pools and playfacilities for children of all ages. In 2017, a brandnew park centre was opened with newrevamped Pools, relocated bandstand and arefurbished Cha Tea Pavilion. With an incrediblehistory to date, the next 150 years are equallyexciting. Facilities: Two children's playgrounds,paddling pools, miniature railway, bouncycastle (Summer), tea pavilion, bandstandwith summer programme, park centre witheducation and exhibition space, changingfacilities, refreshment kiosk, bird hide, fivefootball pitches with changing rooms, onecricket pitch with changing rooms, fourgrass and two tarmac tennis courts (no booking required), fishing (permitrequired) and 2 outdoor gyms. Car parking is also available.

Features and attractions: Local NatureReserve, County Wildlife Site, Site of SpecialScientific Interest (SSSI), River Gade, GrandUnion Canal, Woodland, CommunityOrchard, Nature Trail.

For further information on CassioburyPark, please [email protected] or visit theCassiobury Park Facebook page

To join the Friends of Cassiobury Park,please refer to their websitehttp://friendsofcassioburypark.org.uk/

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mailto:[email protected]

http://friendsofcassioburypark.org.uk/

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A garden oasisin Watford

Cheslyn House and Gardens

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� Cheslyn House and Gardens Nascot Wood Road, Watford, WD17 4SL

Cheslyn House andGardens is a unique andvaluable resource forWatford. The collectionof plants, specimen

trees and shrubs cannot be found anywhereelse in Watford. The gardens are an oasis ofpeace and quiet in a forever busy town, andprovide much needed open space in themiddle of a residential area. The gardensprovide an educational opportunity and thechance for people to enjoy the amazingdiversity of indigenous and exotic species.The theme of exotic species is carried on intothe aviary, with such species such as Bourke’sparakeet, diamond dove and finchesoriginating from all over the world.

There are some interesting mature shrubs on

the approach to the house, especially thestandard trained Wisteria sinensis, which isdraped with lilac flowers in the summer; and asubtropical planting scheme featuringdahlias, palms and canna lilies creates a riot ofcolour in front of the house during thesummer. The Acer in the centre of the lawn isa beautiful sight in the autumn. The full timeresident gardener looks after these gardensand also lives on site. A common sight aredragonflies and damselflies which come tothe pond in the summer, and there are manyfrogs, newts, fish and water insects. The brickarch leading to the woodland area is all thatremains of the original boundary of thegardens. The woodland is full of colour inspring, with the azaleas and rhododendronsin full bloom; and snowdrops, daffodils,bluebells and woodland flowers add to thespectacle.

It is thanks to Henry Colbeck, an architect ofsome renown, and his wife Daisy who boughtthe land piece by piece between 1942 and1958, at a total cost of £4986 that we nowhave Cheslyn House and Gardens.Mr Colbeckdesigned the house, and he and his wifecreated the original two and a half acregardens over a period of some twenty years.The Colbecks travelled a lot, and this isreflected in the range of unusual and exoticplants in the gardens. Mr Colbeck even gaveguided tours of the gardens to local groups.

In 1965, the Watford Corporation purchasedCheslyn (54 Nascot Wood Road) and NaraLodge (no. 58) and the associated groundsfrom Mr Colbeck for £5100. A strip of land(approximately one third of an acre)belonging to the owner of “Nara” was alsoincluded in the sale, in agreement with itsowner, Mr Jefferies, in exchange for a muchsmaller section of the land adjacent to NaraCottage. This secured the future of the trees,shrubs and plants on that area of land forthose who now enjoy it on a daily basis. It hasbeen awarded Green Flag for many years.Facilities: Toilets (open dawn til dusk),Cheslyn House (available to hire).

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� East Drive Recreation GroundEast Drive, Watford, WD25 0AH

East Drive Recreation Ground is situated inNorth Watford, with new play area and openspace for ball games. The Rec has a naturalfeel and is popular since the introduction ofthe new play area in 2015. Facilities: Children's playground.

� Garston Park Coates Way, Watford, WD25 9LQ

This is an important community park with anumber of facilities including children’s playarea, outdoor gym, football pitch andchanging rooms. Within a ‘stones throw’ ofthe busy M1, it also has a Local NatureReserve with woodland that is dominated byoak, ash and sycamore. Other species include:hazel, English elm, field maple and hawthorn. The neutral grassland contains a diverserange of species including ox-eye daisy,agrimony, black knapweed, bird’s-foot-trefoiland meadow buttercup. The wetland areascontain lesser pond sedge, reed canary grassand common reedmace. Birds include greatspotted and green woodpeckers, jay, blackcapand garden warbler. Other species include:grey squirrel, Muntjac deer, red fox, pipistrellebat and slowworm. Butterflies includemeadow brown and gatekeeper. A diverse and popular open space, it isenjoyed by many local people from theWoodside and Garston area of Watford. Facilities: Children's playground, outdoorgym, one football pitch with changingrooms.

� Goodwood RecreationGroundMinerva Drive, Watford, WD 5LD

Goodwood Rec is alovely park in the northof Watford and servesboth the Nascot andLeggatts wards. From

woodland walks to the large open space, to afantastic play area and outdoor gym, this parkhas something for all ages. The CourtlandsResidents Association are key partners in theupkeep of Goodwood Rec and organise anannual fun day here each summer which isvery popular locally. Facilities: Children's playground, outdoorgym.

� Harebreaks RecreationGround and Harebreaks WoodLocal Nature ReserveLeggatts Way, Watford, WD 6NX

Harebreaks Wood is an area of ancientwoodland, largely unchanged since 1600 andthe remaining remnant of a much largernineteenth century area called Longspringand Leggatts Wood. Up till relatively recent times the woodlandwould have been grazed by livestock as woodpasture giving rise to the open heath-like feelthat is still evident in parts of the wood today. The Recreation Ground has a great play areaand adult gym and is home to a local footballclub. Facilities: Adventurous and children’splayground, outdoor gym. Features and attractions: Local naturereserve, county wildlife site, woodland.

To join the Friends of Harebreaks Woods,please refer to their websitehttp://www.harebreakswood.org.uk/

� Harwoods RecreationGroundVicarage Road, Watford, WD 7RB

A small recreation ground in West Watfordwith children’s play area and adult gym. It hasa kickabout area for casual games and anadult gym. Its imposing Lime avenue is also alovely part of this small local park creating apleasant walk through.Facilities: Adventurous and children’splayground, outdoor gym.

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http://www.harebreakswood.org.uk/

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� King George V Playing FieldsTolpits Lane, Watford, WD 9QD

King George’s Fields are public open spacesdedicated to the memory of King George V.The administrative council of the timedecreed that the fields had to be named “KingGeorge’s Field” and distinguished by acommemorative plaque dedicated to His LateMajesty. When the King George’s FieldsFoundation was dissolved in 1965, there were471 King George Playing Fields, all over thecountry. These are now owned by Fields inTrust and managed on their behalf by thelocal council or a board of trustees.

In 1937 the Mayor Alderman H.E. Coatesreported to the local press regardingestimated costs for laying out the KingGeorge V plating fields at Tolpits Lane. Theproposed facilities included 16 grass and 4hard tennis courts, 3 bowling greens, 3 cricketpitches, a running track, football and hockey

pitches, children’s playground and a mainpavilion with smaller pavilions withassociated toilets. The total cost was £54,000and was paid for by Hertfordshire CountyCouncil, the King George V Memorial Fundand the National Playing Fields Association.

Today, the playing fields are still very popularalthough do not have anywhere near thesame number of facilities. On site, theHolywell Community Centre is popular withlocal people as are the remaining football andcricket pitches.

A small nature reserve is present as is anexcellent play area and large Multi Use GamesArea (MUGA) and 1km fitness trail. Car parkingis also ample.

Facilities: Children's playground, multi-usesports court (with basketball nets andfootball goals), outdoor fitness trail, fivefootball pitches with changing rooms,three cricket pitches with changing rooms.

Harwoods Adventurous Playground

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� Knutsford Playing FieldsRadlett Road, Watford, WD24 4JL

The playing fields are significant as they are thehome to Watford Rugby Club. The Club wasformed in 1973 following the demise of WestHerts RFC and Sun Postal Rugby Club. The Clubgained the Seal of Approval and Club Markaccreditations in 2007 and continue to holdthese accreditations. The Club has an extensiverange of youth teams ranging from under 7s tounder 17s and senior sides for those over 17. Recently improved, alongside the two existingrugby pitches is a large play area and outdoorgym, popular with young and old alike. Facilities: Children's playground, outdoorgym. Features and attractions: River Colnewith viewing deck.

To join the Green Gym, please refer to theirwebsitehttp://www.tcv.org.uk/london/green-gym-london/watford-green-gym

� The Lairage Land Local Nature ReserveJellicoe Road, Watford, WD18 6QE

The Lairage Land is one of 5 Local NatureReserves in Watford and comprises a group ofmeadows by the River Colne and is about 6acres in size. The land itself has a ratherunusual pastlife, once being adjacent to anabattoir, now occupied by housing. The landwas used for grazing, presumably by animalson route to the abattoir. It closed in 1985 andthe grazing ceased at this time too. The landwas then acquired by the Council and hassince been managed as a Local NatureReserve. Now primarily rough grassland, it is ahome for a range of flora and fauna and withthe River Colne running along its southernboundary, you can find stream watercrowfoot and yellow water lily growing in thestream. There are birds such as whitethroatsand green woodpeckers, gatekeeper andsmall tortoiseshell butterflies, and Roesel'sbush-crickets.

� Lea Farm Recreation GroundFirst Avenue, Watford, WD25 9PS

A small recreation ground providing avaluable open space in the heart of Garston. It is the home Garston Bowls Club, and hasnot only a new outdoor gym, but play areaand tennis courts. Facilities: Children's playground, outdoorgym, two tarmac tennis courts (no bookingrequired).

� Leavesden Green RecreationGroundClarke Way, Watford, WD24 0BW

A small recreation ground adjacent toLeavesden Green Community Centre, theMulti Use Games Area, play area and outdoorgym are all popular features here. Facilities: Children's playground, multi-usesports court (with basketball nets andfootball goals), outdoor gym.

� Meriden ParkMeriden Way, Watford, WD25 9ET

Meriden Park is perhaps one of our least wellknown parks and open spaces yet has muchto offer. Recently improved, it is home to anincredible new facility which has beendesigned with input from Olympic medallistsRoger Black MBE and Steve Backley OBE. TheSports Legacy Zone is a place for people of allages to play, train and get fit. It features awhole range of equipment, from toddlers’play facilities, to climbing frames for olderchildren, and even an outdoor gym for adults. With a large open space, conservation areaand the community centre at the heart of thepark, the park has much to offer the localpeople of Meriden. Facilities: Children's playground, outdoorfitness zone.

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http://www.tcv.org.uk/london/green-gym-london/watford-green-gym



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� North Watford CemeteryNorth Western Avenue, Watford, WD250AW

North Watford Cemeterywas opened in 1931 andoccupies 35 acres ofland, part of which waspreviously part of Gullet

Wood. Its shape was very different to that ofVicarage Road Cemetery and shaped like atear drop, divided by a network of pathsradiating from a central route leading to themortuary chapel.

The entrance was also marked by a lodge.Sections of the cemetery were later laid outfor the principal religious denominations andthere are special sections for children and forpeople of the Muslim faith. One of the mostinteresting memorials relates to 37 people

killed in Sandringham Road by a bomb in1944. The bomb devastated 50 houses anddamaged 500 other houses. A communalfuneral was held for the victims and thememorial erected in August 1950. Today, it isan active and popular cemetery, withlandscaping, woodland and a Garden of Restand Garden of Remembrance. Facilities: Toilets (open dawn til dusk).

� North Watford Playing FieldsGammons Lane, Watford, WD24 5JW

A deceiving open space,even from its name.There are no formalplaying fields here, yetwander in and you will

find tennis courts, play area, woodland delland picnic tables, all surrounding a “villagegreen” used by local children for informal andformal games. It is one of Watford’s hiddengems, awaiting discovery. Facilities: Children's playground, threetarmac tennis courts (no booking required).

� Oxhey Grange Playing Fields

Watford Heath, Watford, WD19 4EU

Another “out of the way” open space withtennis courts and home to the oldest bowlsclub in Watford – Oxhey Bowls Club, whichwas founded in 1910. Facilities: Two tarmac tennis courts.

� Oxhey Village GreenLower Paddock Road, Watford, WD194DS

A village green in its truest sense? Almost. Inthe heart of Oxhey Village, the Green has apopular play area overlooking nearbyAttenborough Fields and has a countrysidefeel to it. Popular with locals, there are anumber of events held here every year too. Facilities: Children's playground, one minifootball pitch.

North Watford Cemetery

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Maps showing location ofParks and Open Spaces

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Alban’s Wood Local Nature Reserve

All Saints Churchyard

Berry Avenue Open SpaceFacilities: Children's playground.

Buryfield Nature GardenFacilities: Pond.

Callowland Recreation GroundFacilities: Playground, multi use games area, tabletennis, outdoor gym, bowling green, footballpitches, changing rooms.

Cassiobury Park and Whippendell WoodFacilities: Two children's playgrounds, paddlingpools, miniature railway, bouncy castle (Summer),tea pavilion, bandstand with summer programme,park centre with education and exhibition space,changing facilities, refreshment kiosk, bird hide,five football pitches with changing rooms, onecricket pitch with changing rooms, four grass andtwo tarmac tennis courts (no booking required),fishing (permit required) and 2 outdoor gyms. Car parking is also available.Features and attractions: Local Nature Reserve,County Wildlife Site, Site of Special Scientific Interest(SSSI), River Gade, Grand Union Canal, Woodland,Community orchard, Nature trail.

Cheslyn House and Gardens Facilities: Toilets (open dawn til dusk), CheslynHouse (available to hire).

East Drive Recreation GroundFacilities: Children's playground.

Garston Park Facilities: Children's playground, outdoor gym,one football pitch with changing rooms.

Goodwood Recreation GroundFacilities: Children's playground, outdoor gym.

Harebreaks Recreation Ground and Harebreaks Wood Local Nature ReserveFacilities: Adventurous and children’s playground,outdoor gym. Features and attractions: Local nature reserve,county wildlife site, woodland.

Harwoods Recreation GroundFacilities: Adventurous and children’s playground,outdoor gym.

King George V Playing FieldsFacilities: Children's playground, multi-use sportscourt (with basketball nets and football goals),outdoor fitness trail, five football pitches withchanging rooms, three cricket pitches withchanging rooms.

Knutsford Playing FieldsFacilities: Children's playground, outdoor gym.Features and attractions: River Colne withviewing deck.

The Lairage Land Local Nature Reserve

Lea Farm Recreation GroundFacilities: Children's playground, outdoor gym,two tarmac tennis courts (no booking required).

Leavesden Green Recreation GroundFacilities: Children's playground, Multi-use sportscourt (with basketball nets and football goals),outdoor gym.

Meriden ParkFacilities: Children's playground, outdoor fitnesszone.

North Watford CemeteryFacilities: Toilets (open dawn til dusk).

North Watford Playing FieldsFacilities: Children's playground, three tarmactennis courts (no booking required).

Oxhey Grange Playing FieldsFacilities: Two tarmac tennis courts.

Oxhey Village GreenFacilities: Children's playground, one mini footballpitch.

Oxhey ParkFacilities: Children's playground, outdoor gym,one mini football pitch (no booking required),fishing (permit required). Features and attractions: County wildlife site,River Colne, public art, woodland.

Radlett Road Playing FieldsFacilities:Multi-use sports court (with basketballnets and football goals), outdoor fitness trail. Features and attractions: River Colne, public art.

Riverside Recreation GroundFacilities: Children's playground, multi-use sportscourt (with basketball nets and football goals),outdoor gym. Features and attractions: River Colne.

St. Mary’s ChurchyardFacilities:Historical tombs.

Vicarage Road Cemetery

Waterfields Recreation GroundFacilities: Children's playground, outdoor fitnesstrail. Features and attractions: River Colne, public art,historic coal post.

Watford FieldFacilities: Children's playground.

Watford HeathFacilities:War memorial.

Woodside Playing FieldsFacilities: Children's playground, toilets (opendawn til dusk), outdoor gym, ice cream van(Summer), six football pitches with changingrooms. Features and attractions: Local nature reserve,county wildlife site, woodland.

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Oxhey Park is one ofWatford’s most popular parksOxhey Park


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� Oxhey Park

Eastbury Road, Watford, WD18 0HS

Oxhey Park is one ofWatford’s most popularparks having had aninvestment of nearly £1million in 2014.

Historically, it is also one of our mostimportant parks with its connections to theWiggen Hall Estate.

In 1920 Watford Borough Council purchased85 acres of the Wiggen Hall estate for £14,000(with the assistance of a government grant),in order to provide recreational space and ahousing development. The reason for namingOxhey Park is not known as there was also anearlier Oxhey Park. The park fence and gateswere erected in 1923 and although some wereremoved during World War II, a few stretchesdo remain. Sheep were also grazed in the parkto save the expense of mowing. A park keeperwas employed in 1924 and was provided withaccommodation in a park lodge. The riversidewalk was also one of the main attractions ofthe park and in 1924 the path was widenedand the wall boundary to the walk wasimproved.

By the 1930s, sweets and drinks were soldfrom a boathouse to the north of the river andboating was allowed on the river as well asswimming. Fishing was also encouraged withcompetitions with prizes for children,organised by LMS Railway and WatfordPiscators, a coarse fishing club dating back to1886.

In 1929 a children’s paddling pool wasproposed to be located north of the river, withaccess provided by a footbridge. The planswere abandoned owing to difficulties withraising the ground sufficiently. In 1930children’s play facilities were provided behindthe caretaker’s cottage and these included asee-saw, swings, a horizontal ladder and a

large plank swing! Residents of Coppice andDeacon’s Hill complained about the noise andthe playground was relocated.

Tree cover is increased following the removalof the walled garden with an entrance to thepark from Eastbury Road and avenues oftrees connected to the main flight of stepsleading down to the riverside path which runsfrom Wiggen Hall to The Dell. The Dellconsists of a complex arrangement of steepbanks within a densely wooded area andcontinues under the arches of the LMSRailway Bushey Viaduct or Bushey Curve,built in 1912. The bridge was built by RobertStephenson (1803-1859), a nationallyrenowned bridge builder and son of GeorgeStephenson (1781-1848), railway and collieryengineer. By 1933 a project was set underwayas relief for the unemployed and this resultedin a rock garden, terracing and shrub plantingin the east of The Dell. In 1943, the boathousewas closed and demolished. By the 1960s asports ground is in place to the north of thepark.

Today, the park has been much improved withnew play area, adult gym, the main stepsrestored and new formal entrances created. A new bridge spans the river connecting bothsides and many of the walks have beenrestored. The park now has an active groupcalled the Friends of Oxhey Park who areregular volunteers with litter picks, riverworks and involved in the managementplanning for the park. Awarded a Green Flagin 2014, Oxhey Park remains one of ourloveliest and most picturesque parks. Facilities: Children's playground, outdoorgym, one mini football pitch (no bookingrequired), fishing (permit required).

Features and attractions: County wildlifesite, River Colne, public art, woodland.

To join the Friends of Oxhey Park, pleaserefer to their website http://oxheypark.com

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http://oxheypark.com

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� Radlett Road Playing Fields

Radlett Road, Watford, WD24 4LH

Radlett Road Playing Fields have recentlyundergone a significant improvementprogramme with the arrival of Glen RoversGAA Football Club. The pitch now is one of thebest in Watford with re-levelling and newdrainage. As well as providing excellentsports facilities, the riverside walk linksWaterfield Rec and Knutsford Playing Fields. Facilities: Multi-use sports court (withbasketball nets and football goals),outdoor fitness trail. Features andattractions: River Colne, public art.

� Riverside Recreation Ground

Riverside Road, Watford, WD19 4HU

Another recreation ground that hasundergone regeneration with a new Multi UseGames Area, play area and outdoor gym andprovides links to the Ebury Way as well asriverside walk, linked to adjacent Oxhey Park. Facilities: Children's playground, multi-usesports court (with basketball nets andfootball goals), outdoor gym. Features and attractions: River Colne.

� St. Mary’s Churchyard

Church Street, Watford, WD18 0EG

St Mary’s Church is aGrade 1 listed buildingand is the oldestbuilding in Watford,making it the primary

focus of the town’s ecclesiastical history.There is evidence that there was a churchhere in the 12th century. Situated prominentlywithin the graveyard are thirteen memorials.Nine of these are nationally listed chest tombsand one is locally listed. Of the rest, twotombs have been reconstructed from piles ofstones, and one is a nationally listedheadstone. Of these tombs it has beenpossible to identify from their inscriptions thenames of most of the families. The socialhistory associated with the memorials isimportant because they relate to a number ofsignificant residents of the Parish of Watfordwho were influential in the development ofthe town as an industrial centre. Theseinclude the Dyson family, founders of thebrewery that evolved into the Benskin’sbrewery; the Clutterbuck family, one of whomwrote the “History of Hertfordshire”, and theFinch family who were associated withFrogmore House. The most notable onethough is that of

� Clutterbuck Tomb

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�� Dyson Tomb

St. Mary’s Churchyard

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George Edward Doney – a loyal servant to theEarl of Essex who lived at Cassiobury Housein Watford. He was born in Gambia and soldinto slavery. He later earned his freedom andcame to Watford as a free man. Today the churchyard is an important oasis ofgreenery in the busy town centre. Whilstimportant for its heritage, it offers a quick andaccessible escape from the hustle and bustleof the nearby High Street and refuge fromthose out to shop. It is certainly worthy of itsGreen Flag status, awarded in 2015. Facilities: Historical tombs

� Vicarage Road Cemetery

Vicarage Road, Watford, WD18 0EJ

Vicarage Road cemetery was opened in 1858and covers 14 acres of land. The first burialwas a child, Mary Ann Howarth, who sadlywas only 3 months old and as she was notchristened, no member of the clergy was

present. Vicarage Road Cemetery was typicalof a burial board cemetery, with the groundsdivided into sections linked by paths whichled to central circular junctions. These circularareas were occupied by mortuary chapels forNonconformist believers and the Church ofEngland. A Receiving House was also presentalong with a lodge at the main entrance. Bythe 1880s the cemetery was extendedfollowing purchase of land from the Earl ofEssex’s estates in 1884. By 1920 the cemeterywas at near capacity and a new cemetery wasdeveloped at North Watford. Today, the cemetery is one of the oldest openspaces in Watford and central to WestWatford. It has many features of local interestfrom buildings to memorials. Large scalememorials include local figures such as theEarls of Clarendon, local developers such asEdwin Clifford, William Gough and WilliamJudge. There are also a number of graves ofservicemen killed during both World Wars.

Vicarage Road Cemetery

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� Waterfields RecreationGround

Shaftesbury Road, Watford, WD17 2RG

The land appropriatedfor WaterfieldsRecreation Ground isshown on the WatfordPlan of 1842 as pasture

and intersected by the River Colne. The bridge is shown in preparation for theNorth Western Railway on the north easternboundary of the site. By 1871 the railway is present and the bridge ispresent but so are outdoor swimming bathsadjacent to it which were very popular. By the1890s, terraced housing is in place alongShaftesbury Road. The recreation ground waseventually laid out by 1910 and was formed oftwo triangular shaped plots. Trees are shownplanted around the boundaries of thesections of the park as well as an avenue thatlines up with Shaftesbury Road. By the 1930sthere are public toilets, a children’splayground and a drinking fountain. One of the most interesting aspects ofWaterfields Recreation Ground is the Coal

Marker which is Grade II listed. It is one ofalmost 300 that was set up by the City ofLondon to mark points on coal transportroutes into London where tax was due.Initially the taxes were used to pay forrebuilding London after the Great Fire. The legislation was renewed in 1861 and theMarker in Waterfields dates from this time.The London Coat of Arms is marked on thesouth east face and it now forms animpressive feature in this lovely park. Today, the recreation ground has beensignificantly improved and is now verypopular with local people and those whoenjoy the River Colne corridor. With adramatic play area, conservation areas andthe stunning sculptures, including the “divingman”, Waterfields Recreation Ground is ahidden gem in Watford. Facilities: Children's playground, outdoorfitness trail. Features and attractions: River Colne, publicart, historic coal post.

To join the Green Gym, please refer to theirwebsitehttp://www.tcv.org.uk/london/green-gym-london/watford-green-gym

Waterfields Recreation Ground

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Dramatic playarea, conservationareas and thestunningsculptures

Waterfields Recreation Ground


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� Watford FieldWatford Field Road, Watford, WD18 0AZWatford in 1857 was described as a “most quietlittle country town” if not rather “dull”. At thistime, on the outskirts of the town, surroundedby a pleasant garden, orchard and meadows,stood a white, slate-roofed house – “WatfordField House”. It was so named from a largepiece of open ground known as Watford Field,which is what was termed Lammas Land, beingunder cultivation in summer, and common landafter the harvest had been brought in. Watford Field is the oldest open space inWatford, having been a “Recreation Ground”,certainly in 1886 and is derived from theenclosure of the common field in the 1850s. TheWatford Local Board of Health’s Annual Reportin 1890 describe it as being 54 acres and was‘becoming more known and more appreciated’.By 1894, the now Watford Urban District Councilrefers to a bandstand in place and the removalof its wooden floor owing to children playingthere. Today, the Field is still a very genteel place, withchildren’s play facilities, mature trees and alarge field for casual sports to be played. The bandstand has long since gone andWatford Field offers peace and quiet just off thebusy town centre. Facilities: Children's playground.

� Watford Heath

Watford Heath, Watford, WD19 4EUWatford Heath predates much of the town ofWatford’s development, with evidence of asettlement around a turn in the road to thetown in 1749, a time when Watford was a linearsettlement based on the High Street or ‘WatfordStreet’. From the seventeenth century to thenineteenth century, settlement around theHeath consisted largely of cottages related tothe farms, brickworks and limekilns in the area. With the arrival of the railway in Watford in 1837and the growth of Watford as an industrial area,the town of Watford expanded significantlyduring the Victorian era. However, during thenineteenth century Watford Heath remained a

separate entity, with the heath appearing onmaps as a discrete area of development at thesouthern end of Pinner Road. By this point, theLoad of Hay public house and adjoiningcottages and a range of other buildings wereclustered around the heath. By the earlytwentieth century houses had beenconstructed along most of Oxhey Avenue andparts of Pinner Road and Heath Road. With thesteady expansion of residential development,Watford Heath ceased to be a discretesettlement, having been consumed by thewider development of Oxhey. The Heath itselfis apparently a survivor of the common pasture,a feature of the open field system of agriculture(Saunders, 1931). Until 1880, the heath wasowned by the Lord of the Manor of Wiggenhall,also known as ‘Oxhey Walrond’. After this date,it is not possible to trace the ownership of theheath until the area of land was purchased bythe Council in 1932 under the Open Spaces Act1906. The heath was later registered ascommon land on 31 July 1973 under theCommons Registration Act 1965. According toletters exchanged during this registrationprocess, the heath once had two ponds. Interms of the use and amenity value of thespace, it is a valuable resource for casual leisureand outlook. The Heath also contains a Memorial Cross,situated between 27 and 28 Watford Heath. Thiscross is dedicated to those local residents whodied in the First World War. After the originalcross collapsed in 1951, a new cross wasdedicated in 1994. In terms of other featuresand street furniture on the Heath, there was afountain which was formerly positioned in frontof the buildings at 1 – 4 Watford Heath. Thepolished granite drinking fountain, erected inmemory of W.T. Eley of Oxhey Grange by hissisters in 1883,was removed from the site in the1950s and was never replaced.Today, Watford Heath is a peaceful and tranquilopen space with the character of a “villagegreen” and is used by local people for casualgames, sitting as well as forming a charmingentrance into Watford from the south of theBorough. Facilities:War memorial.

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Watford now has elevenGreen Flag Awards


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Woodside Playing Fields

Woodside Playing Fields

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� Woodside Playing FieldsHorseshoe Lane, Watford, WD25 7HHThe Woodside Estate includes the wood, called‘Albans’ after the Roman soldier who embracedChristianity, was martyred, and from whom ourneighbouring city of St Albans took its name.We know little of its early history, but it isobvious from the grandeur of its trees and theway they have been grouped together that itmust have been a delightful country homewhen owned by Mrs H Wood during the closingyears of the nineteenth century.The area progressed from country home tosheep farming under owner Mr Burgess, andhow many must have roamed across the richpasture in search of sustenance. Then Mr Cobbpurchased the estate and established a highreputation as a breeder of pedigree cattle.Sport also came to Woodside, as he specialisedin the breeding and training of polo ponies, andit is said that as many as a hundred were oftenin the establishment at the same time. Polowas played on one of the lawns, withdistinguished players coming up from Londonto take part.Woodside Playing Fields had a part to play inthe war effort too: it became a depot for theATS, whose personnel must have beendelighted with the lovely surroundingscompared to some of the bleak camps andbarracks elsewhere.After the war the Watford Corporation, as theCouncil was then known, purchased WoodsideEstate from the Cobb family for housing andplaying fields. The house which was built in1860/1861, existed until it was demolished in1959. Some of the outbuildings, known as thestables, can still be seen; they are now used aschanging rooms and the Parks Departmentdepot. On the top of these buildings are theletters ‘GAC’ and a date: 1910, which refer toone of the owners of the house, George AleyCobb. His family owned the house from 1905until 1948, when the owner at the time, Mr GCobb of the Poplars, Leavesden, sold Woodsideby compulsory purchase to Watford BoroughCouncil. Farm workers were housed on site,and there were tied cottages at Poor Dell,

Horseshoe Lane (in the area of Cart Path),which were knocked down to build the currentaward winning Leisure Centre. Today, Woodside Playing Fields coversapproximately 59 acres of playing fields, sportsfacilities and woodland, and is the premier sitein Watford’s parks for organised sports. It is alsothe second largest open space in Watford and isthe home of a superb range of sports facilities; ithas one of the top athletics stadiums in thecountry, with an eight lane synthetic track,which is the home of Watford Harriers.Watford Town Cricket Club has an enclosedground which is the envy of many local cricketclubs, and a good standard bowls green is thehome of OWLS Bowls Club.There are 2 additional cricket squares, 5 seniorfootball pitches, 1 junior football pitch and 3 minifootball pitches available for local clubs to playon. There is also a children’s play area for all thecommunity to enjoy that was refurbished inMarch 2011.The playing fields are surrounded by wide,open grassland, ornamental areas and maturetrees, with daffodils, crocus and bluebellsproviding colour in the spring. Albans WoodLocal Nature Reserve (LNR), a semi-naturalwoodland notable for its mature beech andbluebells, is located on the western edge of theplaying fields.In the ornamental area there are also some finespecimen trees, especially Sequoiadendronand Cedar. In recent years planting has beenundertaken to start a collection of moreunusual and lesser seen trees to provide moreinterest for the park users. These include:Parrotia persica, Paulownia tomentosa, Davidiainvolucrata, Nothofagus obliqua, Ginkgobiboba, and Zelkova Serrata. There is so muchto see for the walkers, dog walkers and joggersas they go around the playing fields. It isworthy of its continued Green Flag Awardstatus. Facilities: Children's playground, toilets(open dawn til dusk), outdoor gym, icecream van (Summer), six football pitcheswith changing rooms. Features and attractions: Local naturereserve, county wildlife site, woodland.

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Watford Borough CouncilHempstead Road, Town Hall, Watford, Hertfordshire WD17 3EXTelephone: 01923 226400 Email: [email protected] www.watford.gov.uk

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