Borehamwood: Film History, Parks and Trails

Borehamwood combines film and television history with green spaces, play areas and trails. The following destinations showcase these different sides of the town.

Film and television history

The opening of Elstree station in 1868 helped drive Borehamwood’s expansion. The film industry also played a major role in the town’s development. Major blockbuster films and popular television programmes are still produced at Elstree Film Studios in Borehamwood; individual productions may vary.

The Elstree and Borehamwood Museum dedicates its collections in particular to the region’s film and television heritage. Its interactive exhibitions change every six months. Interactive 360° views offer another perspective: visitors can use them to view individual rooms at Elstree Studios and experience the scale of the stages where internationally acclaimed film and television productions have been made. While the collections focus on the region’s heritage, the views draw attention to rooms and stages.

The Heritage Trail also explores the area’s heritage. It features 27 information boards; the number may change over time. Together with the museum and studio views, the trail offers another way to learn about the town’s history.

Green spaces and parks

Borehamwood is surrounded by stretches of attractive Green Belt landscape that separate the town from Elstree, Bushey, Radlett and Shenley. On its northeastern edge is Studio Way Woodland and Potterswood Park, a 5.8-hectare open space in a residential area. Borehamwood’s green side thus includes both the landscape around the edges of the town and a named open space in the northeast.

Play areas and water at Meadow Park

Meadow Park has two easily accessible play areas for users of all ages and abilities. Features mentioned there include the 8-metre-high Planet Meadow slide and trampoline mounds. These areas bring together different play options, while the Splash Zone has a dedicated focus on water.

The Splash Zone opened in 2022 and has 23 ground-level jets. These include arch-shaped features to crawl under, as well as large water columns to run or jump through. Its operation may vary seasonally. If you are planning your trip around the Splash Zone, take this seasonal limitation into account.

Trails and nature

The Tykes Water Greenway runs through Aberford Park and connects Borehamwood town centre with the north of the town and beyond. The lakes in Aberford Park provide a habitat for a variety of wildlife, including nesting swans. This location therefore combines a described trail connection with wildlife around the lakes.

The Parkfields and beyond walking route can be started from Allum Lane, a two-minute walk from Elstree & Borehamwood station. This provides a specific starting point for the walking route; the Tykes Water Greenway, by contrast, describes a connection through Aberford Park between the town centre and the north of Borehamwood. If you include trails in your trip planning, this information therefore answers different questions: where a named walking route can begin and which areas the Greenway connects.

Discover more destinations: Tewin, Hemel Hempstead, Broxbourne, Codicote, Hoddesdon, Wadesmill, Waltham Cross, Berkhamsted.

For the regional travel overview: Hertfordshire.