Borehamwood is a historic film location with a variety of things to do, from cinematic and aircraft history to miniature golf, gaming, public parks and even helicopter tours. It's home to Elstree Studios, which served as the soundstage for "Star Wars" and many other iconic movies.
The town has much more than film history to explore, however, and you can enjoy stretches of green city parks, visit a historic aircraft museum, play slot machines or even shoot a round of miniature golf in a dinosaur-themed park. If you're a family on holiday, this southern Hertfordshire town has a great deal to offer. Check out the 10 best things to do in Borehamwood.
What are the best things to do in Borehamwood?
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Meadow Park
Catch a football match and cheer on the home team
- Fjölskyldur
Meadow Park is a football ground and park that's open year-round to host professional matches and for public recreational use through ball courts and play areas. It's the home of the Boreham Wood F.C., Arsenal Women F.C., Arsenal Youth F.C. and Watford Reserves teams. The ground saw a record-setting attendance of 4,030 in 2001 when Boreham Wood faced Arsenal.
Besides football matches, the park has tennis and ball courts that are open in the spring and fall to the public, as well as children's play areas, a teen shelter, a wildflower meadow and tons of open grassland. The park is just a few minutes' north of the city centre.
Staðsetning: Meadow Rd, Borehamwood WD6 1TL, UK
Opnunartími: 24/7
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Scratchwood Open Space
Walk the trails of an ancient oak forest
- Ævintýri
Scratchwood Open Space is a vast country park with hiking and cycling trails, endless rolling green meadows and heavily forested lands. The site spans 57 hectares and is designated as a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation. As you hike the trails here, you can enjoy wildlife viewing and bird-watching.
You can also just relish the opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a little while among ancient woodland groves of hornbeam and oak trees where you can enjoy brilliant wildflowers growing along the trails. The park is located just 8 minutes south of the city centre.
Kort - 3
De Havilland Aircraft Museum
Visit the oldest aircraft museum in the UK
- Sögu
The De Havilland Aircraft Museum is an aviation museum located on the site of a 1t-century BCE Roman settlement and was the very first aviation museum in the UK. The museum opened in 1959 and hosts thousands of artefacts, photos and documents tracing the history of aviation in Britain and around the world.
Exhibits include aircraft engines and even full aircraft dating to before World War II and through to the modern day, including the 1949 De Havilland DH 100 Vampire FB.5. The museum is just about a 15-minute drive to the north of Borehamwood.
Staðsetning: Salisbury Hall, Shenley, London Colney AL2 1BU, UK
Opnunartími: Tuesday–Sunday from 10.30 am to 5 pm (closed on Mondays)
Símanúmer: +44 (0)1727 826400
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Arkley Village
Visit a quaint village with a historic windmill
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- Myndatökur
Arkley Village offers picturesque surroundings dating to the 14th century and is the home of a genuine 19th-century windmill that towers above the town. While the windmill doesn't offer public access, this historic building stands watch over the city and is a classic opportunity for a photograph. The main attraction in this town is the village itself.
As you walk the streets, you can visit a wide range of historic buildings, some medieval and others that played a major role in defending Britain in World War II. Don't forget to stop by the Rising Sun, the local village pub with good brew and better food. It's just 7 minutes to the southeast of downtown Borehamwood.
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Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf
Shoot 18 holes of miniature golf in the shadow of prehistoric predators
- Ævintýri
- Fjölskyldur
- Óvenjulegt
Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf is an 18-hole miniature golf course with a casual restaurant on-site in the heart of Borehamwood. The course here offers challenging holes and family fun for all ages.
The business is a dog-friendly destination, so you don't have to worry about leaving your furry family members behind when you set out to challenge the ramps, banks and other puzzles of the course, all in the shadow of prehistoric predators. The golf course can even be booked for private parties, so if you've got a birthday on the docket, this can be a good option.
Staðsetning: A1 Golf Driving Range, Rowley Ln, Barnet EN5 3HW, UK
Opnunartími: Monday–Friday from 11 am to 6 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm
Símanúmer: +44 (0)2084 494397
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Elstree Studios
See the location where Star Wars was filmed
- Fjölskyldur
- Sögu
- Óvenjulegt
Elstree Studios is an iconic and historic film studio in Borehamwood where such notable productions as the 'Star Wars' saga, 'The Shining' and 'A League of Their Own' were filmed. The studios date to 1925, and the very first production ever completed here was 'Madame Pompadour'.
The studio is still in use today and is the home of productions such as 'The Voice'. This is the legendary studio that launched the careers of notables Laurence Olivier, Ray Milland, Stewart Granger, and hundreds of other major Hollywood and international celebrities. Elstree Studios is northeast of the city centre and takes about a 7-minute drive to reach.
Staðsetning: Elstree Studios, Shenley Road, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire WD6 1JG, UK
Símanúmer: +44 (0)2089 531600
Kortmynd frá Stacey Harris (CC BY-SA 2.0) breytt
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Helicopter tours
View the entire metropolitan region from high in the clouds
- Myndatökur
- Óvenjulegt
Helicopter tours can be a unique and interesting way to see not only Borehamwood but the entire London metropolitan area, from Big Ben to Elstree and beyond. Several companies offer these tours, and, no matter which you choose, you're sure to get a seasoned and knowledgeable guide who can point out the important landmarks while educating you on the entire history of the region.
Tours like this also allow you to get incredible photo opportunities from high above the ground. From your helicopter, you'll be able to see everything in a way that no other viewpoint offers.
Kort - 8
Elstree and Borehamwood Museum
Learn about local, film and TV history
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Elstree and Borehamwood Museum is an independently operated local history museum tracing the history of Elstree Studios and the studio's role in the community of Borehamwood. The museum originated with just a small collection of artefacts and photos, but it has since grown to include over 1,500 artefacts and over 10,000 photographs. The museum also offers workshops, themed displays and guest speakers discussing the rich history of this community and the growth of the film studio.
Since 2005, the Elstree Screen Heritage group through the museum has recorded, preserved and shared the more than 100 years of film and TV activity that have come out of the region. The museum is located in the heart of the Borehamwood City Centre.
Staðsetning: 96 Shenley Rd, Borehamwood WD6 1EB, UK
Opnunartími: Tuesday–Thursday from noon to 6 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm (closed on Sundays and Mondays)
Símanúmer: +44 (0)1442 454888
Kort - 9
Reel Cinema
Catch the latest blockbusters
- Fjölskyldur
Reel Cinema is a neighbourhood movie theatre in Borehamwood showing the latest British and Hollywood blockbusters. This multiplex cinema is a solid way to escape from the hustle and bustle into a fantasy realm for a few hours while you enjoy your popcorn and soda and watch the latest adventures of your favourite celebrities.
The chain prides itself on the highest-quality projection, sound and customer service, as well as on providing value for the money and providing a cinema experience tailored to town-centre environments. It's located directly in the heart of the Borehamwood city centre.
Staðsetning: Metropolis Centre, Central, 84 Shenley Rd, Borehamwood WD6 1EH, UK
Opnunartími: Hours vary by film
Símanúmer: +44 (0)2082 072028
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96 Shenley Road
See live theatre, cinema and a library and youth service area
- Fjölskyldur
96 Shenley Road is a performing arts venue that features a new multipurpose building with youth service areas, a cinema, live theatrical performances and the town library for Borehamwood. The venue also hosts a museum dedicated to local history. It came about through a partnership between the city and borough councils and local church groups.
On-site, you can see live performances in music and the theatre arts, catch classic and current films, do research, take classes and engage in all sorts of cultural and educational activities. It's located right in Borehamwood city centre.
Staðsetning: 96 Shenley Rd, Borehamwood WD6 1EB, UK
Opnunartími: Hours vary by individual services and programs
Símanúmer: +44 (0)1442 454000
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