Three Rivers Guide

Sport and leisure

Shopping

Eating out

Parks and open spaces

Contents Page

Background

Calendar of the year

Abbots Langley

Bedmond and Leavesden, Langleybury

Warner Brothers Studios and the Harry Potter visitor centre

Chorleywood

Croxley Green

Maple Cross, Heronsgate, West Hyde and Mill End

Moor Park and Eastbury

Rickmansworth and Loudwater

Spotlight on Watersmeet

Spotlight on golf

South Oxhey, Carpenders Park and Oxhey Hall

Sarratt and Chandlers Cross

Something for everyone

Leisure activities in Three Rivers

Business

Published Summer 2015.

Three Rivers District Council.

Editor: Tim Ashby

Graphic Design: Diane Bugeja

enquiries@threerivers.gov.uk 01923 776611

Advertisments in this guide are not endorsed by the Council.

BackgroundThe district has much to offer with visitor attractions, shopping, eating and drinking, sport and leisure, culture and history and places to stay, making Three Rivers an ideal place to live and work. It offers beautiful countryside, excellent leisure facilities and a wealth of culture and history.

Three Rivers is also one of the safest districts in Hertfordshire, with the county itself one of the safest in the UK.

Communications in the area are very good with road and rail links to London and elsewhere, including the M1, M25, the West Coast Main Line and the Metropolitan Tube Line into central London. In addition, the planned Croxley Link will provide direct links to central Watford and Watford Junction station, which is connected to the West Coast Main Line.

Three Rivers’ Green Belt is nearly 9,000 hectares. The Council manages 260 hectares of public woodland and there are 21 conservation areas in the district.This demonstrates the amount of open space and places of historical interest in Three Rivers.

This guide highlights some of the best features of the area, whether you are a resident finding hidden secrets and learning more about where you live or a tourist visiting, it helps you to understand the location and setting of the area and what you can do in the district.

Travel information

By Rail - despite its beautiful rural setting, Three Rivers has excellent train and London Underground links. Moor Park, Rickmansworth, Chorleywood and Croxley have their own Metropolitican Underground stations. Rickmansworth, Carpenders Park and Kings Langley have mainline stations to London.

By road - the M25 runs through Three Rivers at Junctions 17, to 20. The district is a stone’s throw from the A1(M), M1, M40, M4 and M3.

By local transport (bus and taxi) – Arriva Buses run services around Hertfordshire and elsewhere in the UK. Mullaney’s buses run bus services in and around South West Hertfordshire. Licensed taxi firms are listed in the phone book. Text 60835 to receive your two nearest minicab numbers.

Airports - when you are strolling through the woods and country lanes it is easy to forget that you are only 30+ minutes from the nearest airports, Heathrow and Luton by car. Gatwick is one hour by car.

July

Ricky Week & Rickmansworth Canal Festival The Rickmansworth stretch of the Grand Union Canal hosts the incredibly popular annual canal event.Frogmoor Lane, Aquadrome, WD3 1NB, www.rickmansworthsociety.ukwww.rwt.org.uk

Abbots Langley CarnivalThe parade travels through the streets and includes plenty of attractions.From School Mead (WD5 0LA) to Abbots Langley High Street (WD5 0QP)www.abbotslangley-pc.gov.uk

Croxley Revelson the GreenWide selection of stalls and an arena staging all manner of activities.The Green, Green Lane, WD3 3HNwww.croxleyrevels.co.uk

Chorleywood Village Day Includes stalls, rides, activities and the popular Dog Show. Chorleywood Commonwww.chorleywood-pc.gov.uk

The Rickmansworth Folk FestivalIn the town centre with its colourful programme of folk related entertainment.St Mary’s Church Centre, Church Street, WD3 1JBhttp://rickmansworthtown.co.uk

The Woodoaks Association Community Summer FestivalEvents include local stalls, live music, food and drink, games and sport activities. Woodoaks Farm, Maple Cross, WD3 9XQwww.thewoodoaksassociation.com

May

June

All events are listed at www.threerivers.gov.ukSign up for What’s On our monthly e-newsletter

Three Rivers has a vibrant community and in the district there are many events that showcase the lively and active atmosphere. To help keep you up-to-date with community events that occur annually, you can read the list of events. Whilst we have given rough dates, we are unable to confirm actual dates for forthcoming years and recommend that you contact the event organisers before attending any of the events.

Visit the Council website www.threerivers.gov.uk for a full list of events, which includes local church and school events. Sign up for our monthly ‘What’s On’ e-newsletter for information about these and many more events and activities.

Calendar of the year

Annual Skate JamThe Skate Park hosts an annual skate and BMX Jam.Croxley Green Skate Park, Baldwins Lane, WD3 3LEwww.iskateforfun.gov.uk

CroxfestThe event includes local music and talent.The Green, Green Lane, Croxley Green, WD3 3HNwww.croxfest.co.uk

Carters Steam Fair and Classics on the GreenThe much-loved steam powered fun-fair and classic car show.The Green, Green Lane, Croxley Green, WD3 3HNwww.carterssteamfair.co.uk www.watfordclassics.co.uk

The Sarratt Festival of MusicThe event features classical and contemporary music.Sarratt Village Hall, The Green, WD3 6ASwww.sarrattfestivalofmusic.co.uk

Chorleywood Literary FestivalThe week long event includes workshops and readings from famous and popular authors. Chorleywood Bookshop, 4 New Parade, WD3 5NJwww.cwlitfest.org

South Oxhey Fun DayTwo fun days a year, in the summer and atChristmas, includes stalls and a number of games and rides.

St Andrews Road, Watford, WD19 7UDwww.watfordrural-pc.org.uk

Christmas EveningTraditional yule tide favourites. Held on the last Friday of November.Rickmansworth http://rickmansworthtown.co.uk

Chorleywood Christmas Festival and Late Night ShoppingParts of Lower Road, Main Parade and New Parade. www.chorleywoodresidents.co.uk

Abbots Langley Carol Concert & Christmas LightsOrganised by Abbots Langley Parish Council

with support from Abbots Langley Biz. High Street, Abbots Langley.www.abbotslangley-pc.gov.uk

More events include

Moor Park 10k, Mill End Community Centre Celebration Day, Sarratt Green May Day Fair, Chorleywood Apple Orchard, Abbots Langley Jigfest, Bedmond Village Day and the Abbots Langley Festival of the Arts (which occurs biannually, with the next one in 2016). Car shows are also available in Chorleywood and Sarratt. www.threerivers.gov.uk

NovemberSeptember

August

Christmas events

Visitor attractions

Leavesden Country Park covers an area of over 27 hectares of Green Flag award-winning parkland and consists of walking/biking paths, a football pitch, wildlife areas, tennis courts, a children’s play area and an outdoor gym for adults. www.threerivers.gov.uk

Tanners Wood in Abbots Langley has a diverse range of flora and fauna to enjoy. There is more park land at Manor House, South Way, Bedmond and Primrose Hill.

Sport and leisure

Just off College Road, the YMCA Woodlands Gym has a

fully equipped gymnasium and a dance studio with a sprung floor offering fitness classes including Tae Kwon Do, aerobics, circuits and classes for the over 50s. At a small cost you can use the facilities at the gym on a one-off basis, by visiting the website and filling out the guest pass form. www.ymcawatford.org

Abbots Langley also borders the Watford Leisure Centre, Woodside. The venue includes an eight lane swimming pool. The site also includes a sports hall, a state-of-the-art gym and over 100 exercise classes per week, a sauna, creche, cafeteria, and treatment rooms. The sports facilities are available to use

Abbots LangleyBedmond, Leavesden and LangleyburyReferred to in the Domesday Book, the centre of Abbots Langley is built around the characteristic parish church of St Lawrence. The parish has a strong and vibrant community. The parish of Abbots Langley includes the villages of Bedmond, Leavesden and Langleybury as well as several hamlets.

with special rates for Three Rivers residents. Visitors who want to use the centre will need an Everyone Active card, which can be issued on site or by applying online. To use the gym you need to book an induction session. www.everyoneactive.com

The village boasts a wide range of community activities from zumba, keep fit, karate and other healthy activities in Tanners Wood Hall. The parish has many clubs and societies, of which football, cricket, gardening and flower arranging are just a few.

A list of local walks and community centres are available on the parish council website. www.abbotslangley-pc.gov.uk

Langleybury, nestled between Sarratt and Abbots Langley

is popular with visitors to its Children’s Farm. The farm has a Pets’ Corner, plus goats, sheep, calves, deer, pigs, ducks, geese and hens. There is a children’s play area, a putting green, a tea shop and a small gift shop. The farm sells its own free range eggs, plus locally made honey, jam and marmalade and a range of hand painted glassware. www.langleyburyfarm.co.uk

Culture and history

Leavesden Hospital was built to house 1,500 patients in 1870, to administer care for the many ‘quiet and harmless imbeciles’ who lived in London. With more modern, enlightened attitudes to mental health, the hospital closed in 1995, and became Leavesden Country Park. www.leavesdenhospital.org

The Church of the Ascension, the famous corrugated tin church was intended as an African missionary church. The church, which is lined with wood, was erected in 1880 and continues to hold regular Anglican services.abbotslangley.org.uk

The small village of Bedmond is the birthplace of Nicholas Breakspear, the only Englishman ever to be Pope.

See the next section on Warner Brothers for the history of the Aerodrome.

Warner Bros. Studios LeavesdenWarner Bros. Studios Leavesden (WBSL), which was a local airfield and factory from 1939 – 1994, began a major transformation when the factory closed in 1994. The site’s hangars became soundstages for filming and workshops for constructing sets and props; while the airfield’s runway and grassy fields were turned into a fully-functioning backlot.

Following the production of the Harry Potter film series, Warner Bros. purchased the site at Leavesden and invested over £100 million in redevelopment, reopening it as a state-of-the-art facility in June 2012. Based within Three Rivers district, Hertfordshire, WBSL is the only facility in the country to be owned and operated by a major Hollywood studio.

Cameras began rolling on Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone in 2000 and the studios went on to host the production of all eight Harry Potter films over the next 10 years. It currently represents over a third of the available film production stage space in the UK .

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry

Potter based at the production home of all eight Harry Potter films offers visitors the ultimate opportunity to journey behind the scenes of Harry Potter and experience the magic that went into creating the most successful film series of all time.

The Studio Tour first opened its doors on 31 March 2012. Visitors are able to step into the Great Hall, first built in 2000, experience green screen technology as they ‘fly’ a broomstick like a member of the cast and marvel at the breathtaking scale model of Hogwarts castle.

Encompassing the Malfoy Manor set from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1, a section of Dolores Umbridge’s Ministry of Magic

office and artefacts from Knockturn Alley shop Borgin and Burkes, the new Dark Arts area offers visitors a much-requested look into the darker aspects of the film series.

The Studio Tour continues to offer extra experiences over holiday periods such as its popular Animal Actors feature, where visitors can meet the feathered and furry creatures who starred in the films, its Hogwarts in the Snow campaign at Christmas and the addition of a new, permanent Dark Arts area last Hallowe’en.

In March 2015, the Studio Tour unveiled an impressive expansion, including the

original Hogwarts Express steam engine and a recreation of Platform 9 3/4. The new, permanent section will offer a glimpse into how some of the films’ most iconic scenes were created as well as give visitors the chance to climb aboard the train’s carriage and to pose with a luggage trolley as it disappears through the platform wall.

Throughout the Harry Potter film series, British steam train no. 5972, Olton Hall, was used as the Hogwarts Express. Scenes featuring the working engine were filmed on a soundstage at WBSL and on a track running the full length of the Studio’s

100-acre backlot. The 78-year-old engine returned to the series’ production home in spring 2015 and is displayed on a realistic set of tracks, with steam billowing as visitors step onto the platform.

www.wbstudiotour.co.uk 0845 084 0900. Tickets must be pre-booked and cannot be bought at the attraction.

ChorleywoodChorleywood is a picturesque rural area, with the Chorleywood Common and plenty of open spaces, it is popular for those wishing to relax and enjoy the scenery. It has been voted one of the happiest places to live in England. The village has its own London Underground Station and easy access to the M25 via junction 18.

Visitor attractions

The 250 acre Chorleywood Common, with its beautiful old pubs, provides a superb recreational area and includes a nine-hole golf course, cricket pitch and horse track. There are a number of circular walks and plenty of places for outdoor activities.

Chorleywood is also home to some charming woodlands, including Pheasants and Solomons Woods and Carpenters Wood, consisting mainly of broad-leaved deciduous trees, many of which are native to this country.

Chorleywood House Estate has beautiful gardens and lawns, flowerbeds and speciality trees, including a 100 year old wisteria circle tree. The 200 year old Manor House and Summer House have some great views offering the chance to picnic on the lawns. The Estate holds a Green Flag Award for excellence.www.chorleywoodhouse.org.uk

Sport and leisure

In Chorleywood, much of the sport and leisure is situated in and around the Common, with football, cricket and tennis on offer.

The Hive Chorleywood is currently running events in the area. The Hive has organised numerous activities including a film club. They are aiming to get a more permanent location for activities in the future. The Chorleywood Arts Centre also runs several arts activities.www.hivechorleywood.org.uk

Culture and history

Chorleywood House is the former home of Lady Ela Russell, a member of the Bedford family. She modified and enlarged the house, keeping some of the original features. In June 1940, the mansion and land were bought for use as a municipal facility.

The Chorleywood bread process is a method of making dough. Invented in the town in 1961, the method is now used to make 80% of the UK’s bread.

Croxley GreenAt the heart of Croxley is the historic and ancient Green itself. The parish has an overall population of about 11,000, but still retains its charm as a village for its rural and urban blend.

Visitor attractions

Croxley is home to beautiful open countryside, including the famous Croxley Common Moor. The Moor’s 40 hectare site includes diverse plant life, with over 250 different types of plants and an abundance of animal life. The Croxley Green Boundary Walk includes the Grand Union Canal, Croxley Common Moor and views of the Chess Valley, with the walk taking around three hours to complete.

Sport and leisure

The Croxley Skatepark is a popular destination for young people and hosts its annual skate and BMX Jam in August; the park has state-of-the-art concrete ramps. Roller bladers and scooters can also use the facilities.

Details for groups, societies, associations and businesses in Croxley are available at www.croxleygreen-pc.gov.uk Events are also held at Croxley Community Centre.

Culture and history

The old beams at the Croxley Great Barn are filled with history dating back to 1397 when the barn was built and lay in the grounds of Croxley Manor. It supplied the abbey with grain and barley for the monks’ food and drink. The Manor and barn were donated to Hertfordshire County Council in 1972 to form part of the enlarged St.Joan of Arc School complex in Rickmansworth. www.croxleygreatbarn.co.uk

John Dickinson was born in 1782 and in 1807 and 1809 he devised and patented paper-making machinery which could make paper as a continuous web. By 1824 he owned mills at nearby Apsley, Nash Mills and Batchworth and in 1830 he opened Croxley Mill on Common Moor. Paper making was concentrated at Croxley Green and John Dickinson & Co Ltd was formed.

Maple Cross, Heronsgate, West Hyde and Mill EndListed in the Domesday Book, the beautiful village of West Hyde is on the banks of the Grand Union Canal. Heronsgate, a conservation area near the northern boundary of the Colne Valley beholds scenic views over the entire area.

Mill End and Maple Cross are residential areas on the main Rickmansworth and Uxbridge Road.

Visitor attractions

Beechen Wood and Franklin Spring Woods are two excellent woodland sites enjoyed by families, children playing in the woods and dog walkers. www.greenourherts.org.uk

The Woodoaks Association is working to build up its community activities at Woodoaks Farm. Focusing on being creative, active and to explore what the beautiful historic farm has to offer. www.thewoodoaksassociation.com

Sport and leisure

A great place to keep active and fit, the William Penn Leisure Centre in Mill End offers excellent facilities. This includes the main sports hall, which has a sprung floor and four badminton courts. Courts are also marked out for netball, basketball, football, hockey and volleyball. Furthermore, the Centre has two squash courts, a dance studio, two fitness suites and a fully equipped gym with state-of-the-art equipment. There is also a steam room, sauna and swimming pool. There is a lift for disabled

access and a spectators’ gallery. People can use the gym on a pay-as-you-go basis, but you will be required to pay for an induction before using these facilities and the gym for the first time. www.hertsmereleisure.co.uk

Maple Cross and Mill End Community Centres are a valuable resource run by the community, for the community - they offer an interesting range of activities. www.millendcc.co.uk

Culture and history

The Jackson Studios, a now demolished building in Maple Cross saw many iconic names in the music industry recording at the studios, including Elton John, Motorhead, Ian Drury, Dr Feelgood, Eddie and the Hotrods, Tom Robinson and the New Seekers.

Heronsgate was developed by the political reformers, the Chartists, in 1845, and was first named O’Connorville after their leader, Feargus O’Connor. Town-dwellers from the north of England were re-settled on a lottery basis - initially at subsidised rents.

Visitor attractions

At the Withey Beds in Tolpits Lane, there are regular guided walks, and tours of the local nature reserve focus on aspects of the wildlife that can be found at the site. The nature reserve also offers a variety of habitats and supports some fascinating plants and animals, particularly birds and insects which are characteristic of swamp and fen. There is an interesting World War 2 pill box, which is a home for bats. There are regular events at the reserve, including wildfowl walks. The Withey Beds has disabled access.www.threerivers.gov.uk

At Moor Park Mansion, the National Association of Decorative and Fine Art Society (NADFAS) guides from local societies conduct tours around the mansion on Thursdays between April and October.

Culture and history

Moor Park Mansion was built in 1678/79 for James, Duke of Monmouth. The Grade I Listed mansion was then re-furbished in Palladian style in 1720 by Sir James Thornhill. The stunning interior also includes work by Venetian craftsmen. During World War II, Operation Market Garden, resulting in the Battle of Arnhem, was planned at the Mansion. The mansion is now home to More Park Golf Club.www.moorparkgc.co.uk

Moor Park andEastburyMoor Park is home to the Moor Park Estate and large detached houses in spacious plots. Moor Park and Eastbury are developed in beautiful woodland, and include Moor Park Golf Club which is set in 300 acres of spectacular woodland and parkland.

RickmansworthWith a large amount to offer including award-winning shops, pubs and restaurants and a community theatre and cinema venue – all surrounded by areas of outstanding natural beauty. Many the places of interest are an easy walk from the Rickmansworth Metropolitan Underground and Chiltern Line Stations.

Visitor attractions

The Aquadrome shares its boundaries with the Grand Union Canal. A beautiful 41 hectare site, where you can enjoy a walk with the opportunity to see great crested grebes, herons and kingfishers. Wheelchair access.

The Ebury Way is a 3.5 mile traffic free path for walkers and cyclists between Watford and Rickmansworth. The Colne Valley Park Trail links Rickmansworth to Uxbridge, and the Chess Valley Walk, Rickmansworth to Chesham, all with breathtaking views.

Sport and leisure

Angling is available at the Aquadrome, some of the privately owned lakes, parts of the Chess, Colne and Gade rivers and some sections of the Grand Union Canal.

The Grand Union Canal and the Aquadrome host canoeing, water ski-ing and kayaking organisations. All the above are membership only. www.threerivers.gov.uk

Culture and historyIn the 1790s the Grand Union Canal enhanced the area’s industrial potential, allowing goods to be exported. The Batchworth Lock Canal Centre helps preserve the heritage of the canal. www.rwt.org.uk

Three Rivers Museum displays an historic background to the area. The museum is the former residence of Quaker William Penn. Emigrating to America in the mid-1670s, In 1681, King Charles II granted him territory and insisted on adding Penn’s name - hence, Pennsylvania. www.trmt.org.uk

Rickmansworth features in Douglas Adams’ sci-fi comedy classic, The Hitchikers’ Guide to the Galaxy. George Eliot, whose real name was Mary Ann Evans, had a summer residence in Rickmansworth.

In 1904, five French nuns relocated to England to escape religious persecution. Settling in Rickmansworth, they used their teaching and nursing skills to help establish St Joan of Arc School.

WatersmeetWatersmeet is a unique venue located in the heart of Rickmansworth. The entirevenue is available to hire and also boasts a number of smaller spaces which can be used for any number of events making it the perfect choice for any occasion.

The main auditorium seats up to 515 guests theatre style and incorporates a unique floor which can transform from a fully tilted theatre style set-up to a flat floor at the push of a button. The chairscan be removed to seat up to 250 guests,cabaret style, which is ideal for gala dinners, special celebrations and wedding receptions.

For more information call 01923 711063 or visit www.watersmeet.co.uk

Spotlight on Watersmeet

Past productions and ballets which have been staged at Watersmeet include Billy Elliot, Les Miserables, Fame, The Nutcracker and Beauty and the Beast. In addition, the venue hosts an annual pantomime which sees audiences in excess of 15,000 through its doors in December. Star names playing title roles in these shows have included Linda Robson, Wayne Sleep, Peter Duncan and Paul Daniels to name but a few!

Watersmeet is proud to accommodate Sharpe Academy, an independentlyowned and operated performance academy which specialises in musical theatreclasses and full-scale productions for students aged 3-21.

The venue regularly screens a wide range of films using crystal clear, Dolby Digital projection equipment with superb image and sound quality.

The venue is also home to ‘Artistsmeet’, a contemporary art exhibition space which has been created in the foyer. This quality exhibition space is perfect for artists to exhibit their work and provides local residents the chance to see an array of excellent art work.

Artistsmeet is open during Watersmeet Box Office hours. Entry is free of charge.www.watersmeet.co.uk

Pay and play public courses

The Rickmansworth Golf Course, known locally as Tricky Ricky due to its challenging but beautiful surroundings, is a public venue, which has a 9 and 18 hole course, testing everybody of different standards.Moor Lane, Rickmansworth, WD3 1QL01923 775278www.hertsmereleisure.co.uk

Nine of Herts, the family friendly 9 hole public golf course in Rickmansworth, London Road, includes a driving range and a challenging but fun course which welcomes anybody to the club. London Road,

Rickmansworth, WD3 1JS01923 848636www.9ofherts.co.uk/

Oxhey Park Golf Club is a public pay and play golf course. The golf course was voted the 7th and 10th best nine hole public golf course in the UK by the Lady Golfer and National Club Golfer magazines respectively. Oxhey Park Golf Club also offers the 20 bay floodlit Driving Range directly attached to the club house. Prestwick Road, South Oxhey, WD19 7EX01923 248213 or 01923 210118www.oxheyparkgolfclub.co.uk

Golf coursesThe area of Three Rivers is well known for its golf and there are eight superb courses within the district, catering for all abilities from beginners to those wishing to tackle championship courses. There are three public courses within Three Rivers.

The Grove Golf Course is one of England’s finest premier golf courses. with no membership requirement, all are welcome to play on payment. The championship golf course combines modern game strategies with the great traditions of British golf course architecture.The Grove, Chandler’s Cross, WD3 4TG01923 294266www.thegrove.co.uk

Member only courses

Chorleywood Golf Course is a 9 hole course within Chorleywood Common, providing a challenging and fun game. The brilliant course accommodates golfers of different skill sets and experience. Common Road, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire WD3 5LN. 01923 282009www.chorleywoodgolfclub.co.uk

The Batchworth Park Golf Club is another popular course and its golf facilities include a practice putting green, a chipping green with practice bunker, 8 bay covered driving range and buggy hire. Set in countryside, the course is sure to be a testing and enjoyable course for keen golfers.Batchworth Park Golf Club, London Road, Rickmansworth, WD3 1JS 01923 711400www.batchworthparkgolf.co.uk

Moor Park Golf Club is set in 300 acres of spectacular woodland and parkland. It features two championship courses, which offer a range of challenging holes. The historic Moor Park Mansion, with its impressive grounds and unique facilities, welcomes members and visitors alike to enjoy

refreshments and relax after their game. They have a number of social and sporting packages available, with discounts for local companies in the Three Rivers area.Rickmansworth, WD3 1QN01923 773146 www.moorparkgc.co.uk

Sandy Lodge Golf Club, has continued to invest heavily in its main assets in recent years and has unrivalled practice facilities which include a 12 bay driving range, practice bunker, chipping areas and a large putting green, all of which are immediately in front of the clubhouse.Sandy Lodge Lane, Northwood HA6 2JD 01923 825429www.sandylodge.co.uk

South Oxhey Initiative

The South Oxhey Initiative will see the successful regeneration of South Oxhey by 2022 through redevelopment of the precinct and surrounding area.

The South Oxhey Initiative presents a major opportunity to create a high quality, mixed use development, with a direct and frequent rail connection to Central London. The new precinct will feature a larger supermarket and a wide range of shops.

Visitor attractions

The Oxhey Woods Local Nature Reserve consists of approximately 100 hectares of principally ancient semi-natural woodland, much of which has been wooded since the last Ice Age some 10,000 years ago. The new circular walking sculpture trail at the reserve is ideal for families. www.threerivers.gov.uk

On arrival you will be greeted by a striking carved archway to welcome you to the sculpture trail and you will notice an array of intricately carved designs such as the tiny creatures designed by local children and work created by the internationally renowned, local artist Dan Cordell. Prestwick Road Meadows is one of the South Oxhey’s Local Nature Reserves with some of the most beautiful wildflowers in the district; also within the area are Hartsbourne Wood and Pond Wood.

South Oxhey Playing Fields has some excellent provision for outdoor sports including sports pitches, bowling

South Oxhey, Carpenders Park and Oxhey HallSouth Oxhey, surrounded by countryside, local shops and good transport services, is a convenient place to live. Featuring in BBC2’s The Choir: Unsung Town, with the South Oxhey Choir, the area has a strong and vibrant community atmosphere.

Carpenders Park is a residential area developed alongside the Watford to Euston railway. There are areas of open space and woodland together with some smaller local parks.

Edging onto the Colne Valley, Oxhey Hall is a residential area in the Green Belt. Public footpaths run through the scenic farmland, Hampermill Lake and the nearby Brightwells Farm.

greens, basketball sites, tennis courts and a multi-use flood-lit games area.

Sport and leisure

The Centre sports and recreation complex in Gosforth Lane, South Oxhey has plenty to offer for the whole community. There is a fully equipped fitness studio, a mirrored dance studio with sprung floor, a solarium, an excellent crèche and a café. There is a music recording studio and rehearsal space for hire in The Centre. People can use the gym on a pay as you go basis, but you will be required to pay for an induction before using the equipment.

Sir James Altham Swimming Pool, South Oxhey is a small friendly community pool offering a wide range of

water-related activities. There is also a thriving swimming club, lifesaving courses and a water polo club. For younger children there are ‘supersplash’ sessions with a giant inflatable and holiday play schemes for children of eight years and over. The pool has specialised facilities for people with disabilities. People can use the pool for a casual swim on a pay as you go basis. www.hertsmereleisure.co.uk

Oxhey Hall and Carpenders Park have community centres that run several activities and events.

Culture and history

Oxhey Hall is a private Grade II building and its dry moat is listed as an Ancient Monument.

South Oxhey Chapel was built in 1612 by Sir James Altham, Judge and Baron of the Exchequer to Elizabeth I. Originally the private chapel for those at residence at ‘Oxhey Place’, it still retains the original door and roof beams. The chapel is open to the public by arrangement with the vicar of the nearby All Saints Church.https://allsaintsoxhey.wordpress.com.ouroxhey.org.uk

South Oxhey hosted some of the earliest Rolling Stones and The Who gigs way back in the sixties.www.ouroxhey.org.uk

Sarratt and Chandler’s CrossSarratt is a beautiful village. The hamlet of Chandler’s Cross lies within the rural parish of Sarratt and is an area popular with local residents and visitors alike, renowned for its bluebells which form a beautiful carpet of colour each spring. Some of the traditional country pubs date back to the 18th century.

Visitor attractions

You can enjoy the lovely walks from the Village Green, Dawes Common and Commonwood. Within Chandler’s Cross, adjoining the crossroads, is one of the entrances to Whippendell Woods. The Sarratt village website has included 11 superb walks within the area to see vast flora, fauna and great countryside.

Sport and leisure

The rural setting of Sarratt makes it a perfect destination for keen horse riders, with many miles of well maintained footpaths, bridleways and common land.

Sarratt Village Hall is host to many community events which are announced on the Sarratt village website.

www.sarrattvillage.co.uk

Culture and history

Built in 1190, the flint and brick Church of the Holy Cross is the parish church of Sarratt. The building originally re-used Roman tile in its construction and continued to change through the centuries. By the 17th century a large linear village developed nearly one mile (1.6 km) away. www.hcsp.net

Micklefield Hall was built in 1740 and the central part of the house was re-designed by Sir John Soane in the late 18th Century. Historical records go back to 1260 when the land was obtained by the Abbey of St. Albans. The majestic oak in the parkland is officially said by the Woodland Trust to be 650 years old. The stunning 16th century Tithe Barn has now been completely restored.www.micklefield.com

Market life

Based at Henderson Hall, the Abbots Langley Transition Project (ALTTA) organises a local market several times per year and is fast becoming a feature of village life.

The Sarratt Village Hall Market sells beautiful items, where you can buy plants, crafts, bric-a-brac, home-made gifs and food, and affordable antique stalls.

The vibrant boutique Little Fox Market, in Rickmansworth, has a variety of stalls offering a selection of accessories, clothing, food and antique finds.

Run by Watford Rural Parish Council, the South Oxhey market includes various stall holders in Bridlington Road and sells a variety of goods including food and clothes.

Chorleywood hosts an annual French Market with stalls selling traditional French produce such as cheeses, pates and pastries.www.threerivers.gov.uk

Where to eat

You can come to shop and also enjoy a meal or snack in one of the many restaurants, pubs and cafes. Chinese, Indian, Italian, Thai and various continental eateries are available, as well as the fabulous rustic pubs in the area. Before visiting we recommend you check Scores on the Doors for official food hygiene ratings. With various award winning restaurants in the area you are sure to enjoy culinary delights. www.ratings.food.gov.uk

Farm life

Watercress is produced at the River Chess in Sarratt Bottom and can be bought freshly cut from spring to autumn at the farm. If you would like something a bit sweeter, at Bullscroft Farm you can take a punnet and pick the fruit straight from the plant. Langleybury Farm sells its own free range eggs, plus locally made honey, jam and marmalade. www.threerivers.gov.uk

Something for everyoneThe district is full of innovation, creativity and community work. This is more than signified in the local markets around the district. The markets are a great opportunity to support community organisations. If you would like to get involved with the local markets, please contact them direct.

One of the main aims for the District Council is to help people find the support they need to set up in business and markets or to expand existing enterprises. We recommend if you would like to get involved in markets that you contact the Council before doing so.

Shopping Today, Croxley boasts a thriving community with local shops, supermarkets, an up-market café, a restaurant, fast food outlets, a library and a number of local public houses to while away a couple of hours. Held every Sunday, Sarratt Village Hall Market sells beautiful items at and in aid of the Sarratt Village Hall. Normally starting at 10am till midday, you can buy plants, crafts, bric-a-brac, home-made and affordable antique stalls.

Visitor attractionsCroxley is home to beautiful open countryside, including the Stone Orchard, Croxleyhall Woods and the famous Croxley Common Moor. The moor is home to a 40 hectare site which includes a rich and diverse plant life, with over 250 different types of plants found on the moor and an abundance of animal life. The distinguished setting of Sarratt also means that you can enjoy the lovely walks on the Village Green, Dawes Common and

Commonwood.

Residents are also able to enjoy the local events held within the areas. This includes the popular summer fixture, Croxfest, which has grown in size and popularity since it started, with an estimated 8,000 people previously attending the free event. The event which includes local music is a great event for family and friends to attend and support local talent. The event also helps raise money for local charities.

The free show Classic Cars on the Green is open to many types of vehicles, including classic cars, modern super cars, vintage cars, bikes, kit cars, as well as commercial and steam engines. Sarratt also hold at Cars on the Green event, which is held annually every Boxing Day. Croxley is also home to the Carters Steam Fair, the much-loved steam powered funfair.

The village fayre, Croxley on the Green/Revels is ever-popular calendar filler

Sporting activities available in Three RiversAn ever-popular destination for residents and visitors to enjoy, the district has lots to offer, with many sports, leisure, arts or culture and entertainment activities available to residents.

Sport

With local services and facilities aplenty, along with the perfect spacious environment and water facilities in the area, you can enjoy a full range of sporting activities available at both the privately run clubs and venues and District Council-owned leisure centres. For the more energetically inclined, Three Rivers Sport Network aims to keep people up-to-date with sport and physical activity opportunities, including a list of clubs within the area. Visit www.threeriverssport.com for full details.

Three Rivers has excellent facilities for outdoor sports in all areas of the district including full size sports pitches, bowling greens, tennis courts and 5-a-side multi-sports areas. These are all available for public use. Visit www.threerivers.gov.uk for more information.

Leisure

There are plenty of things to do, whether it’s keeping the children entertained during the holidays, re-discovering the joy of outdoor play or visiting a nature reserve. Three Rivers District Council always look to provide high quality activities for residents to enjoy including an array of holiday and after school activities. Current popular activities include Playschemes, Play Rangers, Skateboarding, Parkour and nature walks.

Three Rivers has a large number of play areas and they have all sorts of equipment for children of all ages along with inclusive equipment for those with additional support needs. You can try our zip wires, climbing trees, trampolines, sand pits, embankment slides, toddler swings, climbing nets and basket swings. At King George V Playing Fields and

Baldwins Lane play areas, you can enjoy the Parkour facilities consisting of obstacle courses, running, climbing, swinging, vaulting and rolling.

Within in the area, you can also take advantage of the many outdoor gyms, with several items of equipment at each site offering a range of exercise opportunities including toning of the upper and lower body and fitness to the heart and lungs. Outdoor gyms can be found at: Leavesden Country Park, South Way play area, Barton Way play area, Oxhey Playing Fields, Ebury play area and West Hyde Youth Centre.

Arts and culture

Three Rivers District Council, along with local arts groups and organisations help promote, develop and manage opportunities for community arts-based activities, aiming to provide artistic opportunities for the residents and visitors of Three Rivers district.

A wide range of participative arts-based opportunities are held in Three Rivers targeted specifically at young people, the over 50’s and people with disabilities, including such events as the Art Box, Film Box, Artistmeet and art classes. To keep up to date on the latest arts opportunities visit www.threerivers.gov.uk or contact leisure@threerivers.gov.uk

To keep updated on leisure activities, sign up to the What’s On Newsletterwww.threerivers.gov.uk

I-Explore Map

Three Rivers District Council Leisure Services map is used as a guide for residents and visitors to illustrate the wide range of places to play, things to do and areas of natural beauty to visit. View the map online at www.i-explore.org.uk

More information on leisure services

Discounted prices for families on a low income are also available on selected activities as part of the Referral Scheme. If you would like to join the Referral Scheme, then please contact Leisure on 01923 776611.

Most of our activities are inclusive, so look out for the disability logo in the brochure. If your child has a disability and you would like to discuss this with us, please contact Leisure on 01923 776611.

Channel Mogo

Three Rivers has a vibrant community and in the district there are many community centres and organisations including Scouts, Guides and social clubs in the area. Youth Connexions and Channel Mogo maintain a regularly updated list of youth social clubs. www.mogolistings.org

Business and prosperityThe area has a diverse range of sectors and businesses, home to both the head offices of national and international organisations and vibrant small firms. It is the base for national names such as Camelot, Nestle Waters, Ferrero, Kenwood, Renewable Energy Systems, Imagination Technologies, Warner Bros, Skanska and Nissan.

Three Rivers - perfectly placed

Businesses looking to relocate will find a wide range of premises to suit all types of commerce and industry. These include refurbished buildings with small suites, prestigious flagship buildings, industrial units and small workshops. The areas around Maple Cross, Abbots Langley and Croxley Green are well-known for their business parks and industrial estates.

Developers consider that the district’s location on main communication routes, combined with the proximity to London, and the pleasant

environment make it an excellent place for projects, business and organisations. Each year the District Council pursues its strategy of helping to create a prosperous future for the area. One of the main aims is to help people find the support they need to set up in business or to expand, and to find new employment opportunities.

Looking to the future

The Council is currently promoting a major mixed use regeneration of the town centre in South Oxhey.

The area is set to benefit from major development and housing projects including Croxley Rail Link and the Watford Health Campus.

Chambers of Commerce and Business Partnerships

Three Rivers District Council works closely with the South West Herts Chamber of Commerce and The South West Herts Business Partnership to see that the local Chamber of Commerce, business groups, local authorities and key agencies

work together for better transport, better training and employment opportunities.

Business Guide

Three Rivers teamed up with Watford, Dacorum and Hertsmere Councils to produce a free handbook for local firms. Linking to an online directory, the South West Herts Business Guide provides information about local resources including training and advice, major infrastructure projects and energy saving.www.burrows.co.uk/swherts

Shopping

Three Rivers is fortunate to have a good variety of shops from large national retailers to smaller independent stores. The district’s town centres are vibrant with high numbers of independent outlets. The district boasts several high

streets and commercial hubs for all your essential needs, including Abbots Langley High Street, Rickmansworth High Street, Chorleywood situated around Shire Lane and Lower Road, and Croxley on Watford Road. St Andrew’s Road is a wide pedestrian precinct containing the main shops in South Oxhey. All offer shoppers free parking for two hours. Smaller shopping areas are available in other places in the district.

Where to stay

Three Rivers has a thriving bed and breakfast community, including inns and farmhouses. To support this, Three Rivers has published an accommodation guide, for places to stay in and around Three Rivers. www.threerivers.gov.uk

At a glance

n 1,914 NNDR registered businesses with the economy providing 39,000 jobs.

n The district ranks highly for business registrations and start ups with skilled and trained workforce, high employment levels with GVA and weekly earnings above average.

n 400,000m2 of existing business floorspace and an additional 4ha employment site at Maple Cross is identified in the emerging Local Plan.

n Three Rivers is an official Fairtrade district with an active Fairtrade group.