A Walk in the Woods

Harebreaks Wood, Leggatts Way, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD24 6NX

North Watford History Group and Friends of Harebreaks Wood invite you to join us on a guided walk through this area of ancient woodland. While…

North Watford History Group and Friends of Harebreaks Wood invite you to join us on a guided walk through this area of ancient woodland. While little now remains of the woodland which covered Britain after the last ice age, pockets such as Harebreaks Wood do survive. The land has been woodland continuously since at least the 1600s and is visible on the earliest maps of Watford. Harebreaks Wood is a nature reserve and contains at least 30 of the indicator species which denote ancient woodland.

Opening Times

• Saturday 8 September: 1100-1230

Booking Details

No booking required

Access Information

There are defined made pathways but they are not suitable for people with mobility issues. Appropriate footwear for a woodland setting is advised.

Additional information

Max 30 people per tour/session. Please meet at St Mark's Church. There is no parking or other facilitues on site. There may be parking available on nearby roads. The number 8 bus stops outside the church. For further information and pictures download from https://mega.nz/#f!3Bs1hRjL Copy and paste decryption key: !Bt|kjlscGsM0Jn6vNklAvhq

Directions

The Wood is situated on Leggatts Way, north of the junction with The Harebreaks. It is opposite St Mark's Church and the allotments. The number 8 bus stops outside the church. Please meet us at St Mark's Church.

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A Walking Tour of Nascot Conservation Area by Nascot Residents Association

St. Andrews Church, Church Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD17 4PY

The walk will focus on some of the key buildings and sites of Nascot. Meet at St Andrew's Church. Event not suitable for children under the age of 5.

The walk will focus on some of the key buildings and sites of Nascot. Meet at St Andrew's Church.

Event not suitable for children under the age of 5.

Opening Times

• Saturday 8 September: 1100-1230 & 1400-1530

Booking Details

No booking required

Access Information

Event is along public pavement so some access may be difficult. A disabled toilet is available in St Andrew's Church.

Additional information

Max 15 people per tour/session. Tea/coffee/biscuits available free of charge. There is limited parking in the churchyard. Watford Junction Station is a quarter of a mile away.

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BRE: Bouncing Bombs and More

Building Research Establishment, Bucknalls Lane, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD25 9XX

We will be opening the gates at BRE to allow access to the once top-secret model of the Möhne Dam used by Barnes Wallis in the first stage of…

We will be opening the gates at BRE to allow access to the once top-secret model of the Möhne Dam used by Barnes Wallis in the first stage of developing the Bouncing Bomb. There will also be presentations (and artefacts) from the US B17 bomber ‘Choo-Z-Susy’ which crashed on our site in 1943, fire demonstrations in the Burn Hall, the vast Structures Lab, the wind tunnel, the eco-homes of the Innovation Park, the Victorian Mansion ‘Bucknalls’, our all-new acoustics test labs, the ‘as seen on BBC Countryfile’ flood resilient house, the Xylarium… and more. Visitors might also recognise locations used for recent Hollywood blockbusters and some well-known TV shows too!
A great family fun day out set in 50 acres of former Victorian parkland.

Opening Times

• Saturday 8 September: 1000-1600

Booking Details

No booking required

Access Information

We will be opening the gates at BRE to allow access to the once top-secret model of the used for developing the Bouncing Bomb. There will also be presentations (and artefacts) from the US B17 bomber ‘Choo-Z-Susy’ which crashed on our site in 1943, fire demonstrations in the Burn Hall, the vast Structures Lab, the wind tunnel, the eco-homes of the Innovation Park, the Victorian Mansion ‘Bucknalls’, our all-new acoustics test labs, the ‘as seen on BBC Countryfile’ flood resilient house, the Xylarium… and more! Family fun day out set in 50 acres of former Victorian parkland

Additional information

Plenty of free parking on the large BRE site. Local bus services pass nearby. As well as complete access via Bucknalls Lane main gate, pedestrian access from Bucknalls Drive gives access from nearby Bricket Wood station too. BRE’s onsite restaurant Café Bucknalls will be open. Bouncy castle and picnic area too. Sorry, but no dogs (except assistance dogs).

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Cassiobury Park

Cassiobury Park Hub, Cassiobury Park, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD17 3AR

View the exhibition by SW Herts Archaeological & Historical Society of the finds from the Swiss Cottage dig in the new Cassiobury Park Hub. Join…

View the exhibition by SW Herts Archaeological & Historical Society of the finds from the Swiss Cottage dig in the new Cassiobury Park Hub. Join Laurie Elvin for a guided walk of the dig site at 1pm.
There will also be a free craft workshop making 3D models of the Swiss Cottage based on the historical plans and images of the building.

Opening Times

• Sunday 9 September: 1300-1500; Tour 1300

Booking Details

No booking required

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Elton John’s Glasses Community Open Day

Watford Palace Theatre Ltd, 20 Clarendon Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD17 1JZ

Join us in our community open day in conjunction with our autumn production: Elton John’s Glasses. The day will feature back stage tours and a…

Join us in our community open day in conjunction with our autumn production: Elton John’s Glasses. The day will feature back stage tours and a display of objects from Watford in 1984 including items from the FA cup final.

Record your memory and experiences in our interactive video booth and share your story about growing up in Watford, your match day experience or even shopping in Watford – every story is important!

Working in partnership with University of Hertfordshire Heritage Hub and Watford Museum.

Opening Times

• Saturday 8 September: 1200-1700

Booking Details

No booking required

Additional information

Free snacks and hot and cold drinks provided.

Directions

Watford Junction Station and Watford High Street Station (Both a 10 min walk away); closest parking found at Intu shopping centre at the back of the theatre.

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Friends of Watford Museum - A Talk on Frogmore House

Watford Museum, 194 High Street, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD17 2DT

The Friends of Watford Museum will be hosting a talk on the redevelopment and restoration of Frogmore House showing illustrations and…

The Friends of Watford Museum will be hosting a talk on the redevelopment and restoration of Frogmore House showing illustrations and photogrammetric survey pictures of the interior panelled rooms.

Refreshments will be provided free of charge.

Opening Times

• Friday 7 September: 1300

Booking Details

No booking required

Additional information

Max 40 people per tour/session.

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Hertfordshire Fire Brigade Museum and Fire Station Open Day

Hertfordshire Fire Brigade Museum, Lower High Street, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD17 2AD

Based at the Watford Fire Station, the Hertfordshire Fire Museum is the only one in the county and displays the history of fire-fighting from very…

Based at the Watford Fire Station, the Hertfordshire Fire Museum is the only one in the county and displays the history of fire-fighting from very early days. There is a substantial collection of various items of fire service equipment/uniform/documents (old and new), with a large and varied photographic display of fire appliances, fire/incident scenes and local fire history.
The Fire Station will also be holding an open day with demonstrations and children's activities.

Opening Times

• Saturday 8 September: 1300-1600

Booking Details

No booking required

Additional information

Free parking at nearby Tesco's, Waterfields and Century car parks for a limited time (please check individual car parks for information). Refreshments will be sold as part of the Fire Station Open Day.

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Holy Rood Church

Holy Rood Church, Market Street, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 OPJ

Visit the beautiful Grade I listed Gothic church, designed by John Francis Bentley (the architect of Westminster Roman Catholic Cathedral, London).

Visit the beautiful Grade I listed Gothic church, designed by John Francis Bentley (the architect of Westminster Roman Catholic Cathedral, London).

Opening Times

• Thursday 6 September: 0900-1200, 1300-1600
• Friday 7 September: 0900-1200, 1300-1600
• Saturday 8 September: 1430-1700

Booking Details

No booking required

Access Information

Disabled toilet in our Parish Centre in Percy Road.

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Little Cassiobury Art and Craft Sale

Little Cassiobury, 31 Hempstead Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD17 3EY

Look around the outside of this 17th century Grade II listed building. There will be volunteers from our organisation to show you round the…

Look around the outside of this 17th century Grade II listed building. There will be volunteers from our organisation to show you round the outside of the building and tell you about the progress we are making. There will be information sheets and leaflets for you to take away if you are interested in finding out more about Little Cassiobury. Light refreshments will be available free of charge. The art sale, pieces donated by local artists, will be in the car park of the property. Please give support to our organisation to carry out the necessary repair work on the house and transform it into a community Arts and Heritage Centre.

Opening Times

• Saturday 8 September: 1100-1500

Booking Details

No booking required

Access Information

Parking not available other than disabled access

Directions

Next to the registry office and between the Lanchester Free School and new West Herts College buildings in Hempstead Road.

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Little Cassiobury Art and Craft Sale

Little Cassiobury, 31 Hempstead Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD17 3EY

Art and Craft Sale in the garden / car park of the house. Directors and volunteers of the Community Interest Company will be available to tell you…

Art and Craft Sale in the garden / car park of the house. Directors and volunteers of the Community Interest Company will be available to tell you about plans and progress towards achieving the project and about the history of the building and some of the people who lived in this beautiful Grade II listed building.

Opening Times

• Saturday 8 September: 1100-1530

Booking Details

No booking required

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Open Day at St Andrew’s Church

St Andrew's Church, Church Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD17 4PY

St Andrew’s will be open all day for people to look around this parish church, which is over 150 years old. It is an early example of the work…

St Andrew’s will be open all day for people to look around this parish church, which is over 150 years old. It is an early example of the work of SS Teulon and features fine windows.

Opening Times

• Saturday 8 September: 0930-1700

Booking Details

No booking required

Access Information

Access is possible without steps. We have a disabled toilet.

Additional information

Tea/coffee/biscuits available. No charge.

Directions

There is limited parking in the churchyard. Watford Junction Station is ¼ mile away. Buses stop there as well as trains.

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Pope’s Yard Brewery Visit

Pope's Yard Brewery,, Unit B5, 477-479 Whippendell Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 7PU

Watford has a strong history of beer brewing dating back to the 17th century, with names such as Benskins and Sedgwicks still in local memory.…

Watford has a strong history of beer brewing dating back to the 17th century, with names
such as Benskins and Sedgwicks still in local memory. Pope’s Yard is now the only brewery in Watford, harking back to its heritage with the name ‘Pope’s Yard’ referencing Watford’s first successful brewery in 1600s, named after the founder John Pope.

This event will give visitors an insight into the world of brewing beer, have a look around a
working microbrewery, and a chance to taste some real ales. There will be an opportunity to
purchase bottled beer, chat to the brewers and learn more about Watford’s brewing history
in a display of Watford brewery memorabilia.

Event not suitable for children under the age of 18.

Opening Times

• Saturday 8 September: 1200-1700

Booking Details

No booking required

Additional information

There is no free car park on site but pay and display parking in Whippendell Road and Sydney Road. Watford Metrpolitan line station, various buses in Whippendell Road.

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St Mary’s the Parish Church of Watford

St. Marys Church, Church Street, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 0EG

Opportunity to look around the historic parish church of Watford. Members of the church will be giving informal tours throughout the day. There…

Opportunity to look around the historic parish church of Watford. Members of the church will be giving informal tours throughout the day. There will also be tours of the historic tombs in the churchyard and the neighbouring Almshouses.

Opening Times

• Saturday 8 September: 1000-1700, Churchyard Tour 1030, 1130, 1230, 1330, 1430, 1530
• Sunday 9 September: 1200-1800, Churchyard Tour 1030, 1130, 1230, 1330, 1430, 1530

Booking Details

No booking required

Additional information

Limited parking on church forecourt. 'Church' car park nearby. Tea and cake served free of charge

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St Michael and All Angels Church

St. Michael & All Angels Church, Mildred Avenue, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 7DY

St Michael and All Angels Church, first consecrated in 1913, is a very large and beautiful but little-known Church in West Watford. It is…

St Michael and All Angels Church, first consecrated in 1913, is a very large and beautiful but little-known Church in West Watford. It is particularly rich in First World War Memorials.

Opening Times

• Saturday 8 September: 0900-1700

Booking Details

No booking required

Additional information

There will be a Coffee Morning taking place, and refreshments will be available all day.

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The Pump House – A Tour of Two Tales

Pump House Theatre & Arts Trust Ltd, Local Board Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD17 2JP

Come and have a full guided tour of The Pump House Theatre and Arts Centre, including visiting backstage; seeing all the fantastic props and view…

Come and have a full guided tour of The Pump House Theatre and Arts Centre, including visiting backstage; seeing all the fantastic props and view wonderful costumes from fabulous productions. Plus, we are opening up areas that have never been seen by the public before. Built in 1854 the building was used as a Victorian Pumping Station, the second part of the tale will include; the secret tour; historical photos and information. The Pump House is truly a hidden gem.

Tours are on the hour every hour from 11am last tour 4pm – doors close at 5pm

Opening Times

• Friday 7 September: 1100-1700

Booking Details

No booking required

Access Information

On site parking for only 6 spaces; but 4 hour parking on industrial estate next door. Very accessible from town centre parking and buses. 5 minute walk Watford Central Train station 5 minutes away

Additional information

Tea, Coffee, cakes licensed bar; light snacks (crisps, nuts etc) available to buy.

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Unlocking the History of Little Cassiobury - Guided Tour

Little Cassiobury, 31 Hempstead Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD17 3EY

Little Cassiobury House is one of the oldest buildings in Watford and one of only three Grade II* buildings in the town; this grade of listing is…

Little Cassiobury House is one of the oldest buildings in Watford and one of only three Grade II* buildings in the town; this grade of listing is reserved for particularly important buildings of more than special interest. As a very rare local example of classical architecture of the Queen Anne period, Little Cassiobury is certainly very special to the history of Watford and the Earl of Essex's Cassiobury Estate, but many of Watford's residents wouldn't even know it exists tucked behind the town's registry office. The building's development over the century illustrates changes in architectural styles since the early 1700s and can reveal interesting facts about how people lived in the past - but there still remains much for us to learn about the building's history.

Little Cassiobury House has been empty for a number of years and is not usually open to the public, so this is an unique opportunity for people to come and learn about the history of this fascinating building. Join building surveyors and heritage experts Claire Brown and Nicola Davies from Savills who have been working with Watford Borough Council to help build a better understanding of the historical significance and condition of this beautiful listed building over the last year. During our 40 minute guided tour we will talk about the history of the building and show you some of the interesting features that have helped us unlock the some of the hidden secrets of the building.

Opening Times

• Thursday 6 September: Tours 1100, 1300 & 1400

Booking Details

No booking required

Access Information

Accessibility note: poor lighting, narrow corridors and stairs and uneven flooring mean that is not all areas of the building can be safely accessed by visitors. The tour is suitable for visitors of all ages, including sensible children under supervision.

Additional information

Max 10 people per tour/session.

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Watford Museum

Watford Museum, 194 High Street, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD17 2DT

Local history museum telling the story of Watford, with an outstanding collection of art. The museum is housed in the former Benskins offices, a…

Local history museum telling the story of Watford, with an outstanding collection of art. The museum is housed in the former Benskins offices, a Grade II listed Georgian mansion house.
The museum has displays of local history and industry, including Watford Football Club memorabilia, Cassiobury heritage and fine art.
Current temporary exhibitions include ‘Watford During the Great War: 100 Years On’, which investigates the impact of the war in Watford in 1917, and an exhibition by the Young Curators about the history of the museum building.
Join us for a family workshop on Saturday 9th 10:30am-12pm celebrating the history of the museum building before it is refurbished as part of the HLF project.

Opening Times

• Thursday 6 September: 1000-1700
• Friday 7 September: 1000-1700
• Saturday 8 September: 1000-1700; Workshop 1030-1200

Booking Details

No booking required

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West Watford: Aspects of our Past

The Red Lion Public House, Vicarage Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD180EY

Written and verbal information plus photographs, maps and illustrations on aspects of the Poor Law and its amendments, leading to the…

Written and verbal information plus photographs, maps and illustrations on aspects of the Poor Law and its amendments, leading to the establishment of Workhouses and the Watford Union Workhouse, now Watford General Hospital. This will be the main feature with guided free one-hour walks throughout the day around WHG grounds to view the etched WUW memorial bricks. The history of the Red Lion pub will also be presented and some other aspects of West Watford's history.

Opening Times

• Saturday 8 September: 1100-1700

Booking Details

No booking required

Additional information

Light snacks will be available free of charge, in addition to iced water and squash. Coffee and alcoholic beverage will be available for purchase at the bar. No parking on site.The Red Lion pub is a 10-15 minute walk from Watford Town Centre. The town centre car parks are also within in easy reach. Bus Nos W10 and 320 from Watford Town Centre serve the Watford General Hospital bus stop that is 200 yards from the Red Lion Pub.

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