Borehamwood offers two defining themes for planning a trip: film and television history, and green spaces and open areas. The railway station and the film industry contributed to the town’s development. The museum and interactive studio views offer different insights into its audiovisual heritage; the parks feature lakes, play areas and a greenway. You can plan your stay around your interests in culture, landscapes or play facilities.

Historical Development and Film Production

The opening of Elstree station in 1868 contributed to 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. Film history is therefore both part of Borehamwood’s development and a subject to explore during a visit: the Elstree and Borehamwood Museum dedicates its collections in particular to the region’s film and television heritage.

Museum and Studio Views

The museum’s interactive exhibitions change every six months. Those interested in film and television can therefore find collections on the region’s heritage as well as exhibitions that regularly introduce new themes. Interactive 360° views offer a different perspective on the studios: visitors can view individual rooms at Elstree Studios and appreciate the scale of the stages where internationally recognised film and television productions were made.

The two experiences have different focuses. The museum is about collections and changing exhibitions; the 360° views show the studios’ rooms and stages. This makes it possible to distinguish between the region’s film and television history and a spatial impression of the production facilities, without treating the two experiences as the same.

Green Spaces, Paths and Play Areas

Borehamwood is surrounded by stretches of attractive Green Belt landscape that separate the town from Elstree, Bushey, Radlett and Shenley. On the north-eastern edge of Borehamwood lies Studio Way Woodland and Potterswood Park, a 5.8-hectare (14-acre) open space in a residential area. The lakes in Aberford Park provide a habitat for a variety of wildlife, including nesting swans. The Tykes Water Greenway also runs through the park, connecting Borehamwood town centre with the north of the town and beyond.

The Parkfields and beyond walking route can start at Allum Lane, a two-minute walk from Elstree & Borehamwood station. This provides a specific starting point for a walk just a short distance on foot from the station, while the Tykes Water Greenway offers a route through Aberford Park and further north.

Meadow Park has two easily accessible play areas for people of all ages and with different abilities. Play facilities include the 8-metre-high Planet Meadow slide and trampoline mounds. The Splash Zone, which opened in 2022, has 23 ground-level jets. These include arch-shaped features that visitors can crawl under, as well as large water columns to walk or jump through. Opening times may vary seasonally; if the Splash Zone is important to your plans, check visitor information in advance.

For the broader travel overview: Hertfordshire.