Living in Borehamwood

Borehamwood is well-known for its welcoming, community-oriented atmosphere. The local council and voluntary groups organise a range of events, including the popular Borehamwood Carnival, Christmas lights switch-on, and regular farmers’ markets—helping foster strong neighbourly ties.

The Elstree & Borehamwood Museum offers exhibitions exploring the town’s film and media heritage, and numerous community centres host classes, faith groups, and local societies. Green spaces and recreation areas, such as Aberford Park and Meadow Park, are frequently used for gatherings, walking, and children’s sports. The town's mix of newer families and long-established residents helps maintain a friendly and inclusive social fabric.

Safety perceptions in Borehamwood are generally positive, with most residents reporting a sense of security throughout the day and evening. As in many urban fringe towns, the central and high street areas can experience higher incidents of minor antisocial behaviour, but the crime rates in Borehamwood remain comparable to similar towns in Hertfordshire.

Neighbourhood policing teams maintain a strong presence in the area, and community watch schemes are active in many residential streets. Investment in regeneration and youth engagement is ongoing, contributing to decreased rates of crime in recent years. Many residents note that Borehamwood has benefitted from being a family-oriented and well-supervised environment, with several CCTV-monitored zones and regular police patrols.

Parking in Borehamwood is generally more accessible than many nearby urban centres. The town offers several public car parks close to its retail areas and Elstree & Borehamwood station, while residential streets often provide permit parking or unrestricted bays. The newer housing developments typically include off-street parking, which further appeals to families and commuters.

Congestion levels can rise during rush hour, especially near the station and Shenley Road, but are typically manageable. The close proximity of the A1(M) and M25 provides efficient connections for drivers to reach surrounding regions:

• Watford – approx. 20 minutes via A41 (9 miles)
• St Albans – approx. 22 minutes via A414 (12 miles)
• London – approx. 40 minutes via A1 (12 miles, off-peak)
• Hatfield – approx. 25 minutes via A1(M) (13 miles)
• Brent Cross – approx. 15 minutes via A41 (7 miles)

The town’s outer areas remain relatively uncongested, and parking provision has improved with recent developments.

Borehamwood’s food scene showcases a variety of international cuisines, casual eateries, traditional pubs and coffee shops. Shenley Road, the town's main commercial strip, is lined with well-known chains, local cafés, Mediterranean restaurants, and Indian and Chinese takeaways. Many independent eateries offer a friendly local feel.

Traditional pubs like The Wellington and The Thatched Barn provide classic pub experiences, while more modern options cater to younger crowds and families alike. There are a number of family-run bakeries and kosher eateries reflecting the area’s important Jewish community.

While Borehamwood doesn’t have a major club scene, there are several late-night bars, comedy nights at local venues, and cinema experiences at Reel Cinema. The social scene is relaxed, with most activity centred around pubs and restaurants, but proximity to London means a lively night out is never far away.

School quality: Borehamwood offers excellent educational options, including primary, secondary, and independent schools that are rated highly and serve a diverse community.

Parks and green space: Families benefit from well-maintained parks such as Meadow Park and Aberford Park, providing plenty of safe play areas and sports facilities for children.

Childcare: There is a wide range of nurseries, after-school clubs and childminders in and around Borehamwood, catering for the needs of working parents.

Safety: The area is viewed as safe, with active community policing and strong local involvement in safety initiatives.

Family activities: From playgroups and youth clubs to organised festivals and local cinema, children of all ages have access to stimulating, age-appropriate activities, making Borehamwood a practical and appealing option for families.

Borehamwood is particularly appealing to pet owners due to its abundance of parks, walking trails, and surrounding countryside. Meadow Park and Aberford Park are popular with local dog walkers, while the nearby Aldenham Country Park provides longer walks and lakeside scenery.

There are veterinary clinics and pet shops serving the needs of pets and their owners across the town. Dog-friendly cafés and some local pubs welcome four-legged companions, and the general attitude towards responsible pet ownership in Borehamwood is positive.

Properties with gardens or proximity to green spaces are common in residential areas, making it convenient for pet-friendly living.

Borehamwood benefits from strong transport connections, making it a convenient base for commuters and regular travellers alike. Elstree & Borehamwood railway station offers Thameslink services with rapid connections to central London, St Pancras International, Blackfriars, and King’s Cross. Trains typically reach London St Pancras in about 24 minutes, facilitating daily commuting.

Local and regional bus services provide frequent links to nearby towns including St Albans, Watford, and Edgware. The area is well-served by local routes ideal for students, shoppers, and residents without cars.

For motorists, Borehamwood sits close to the A1 and M25, facilitating straightforward access across Hertfordshire and into Greater London. London Luton Airport is approximately 30 minutes away by car, while Heathrow and Stansted are both reachable within an hour, offering excellent options for international travel.

Key Commute Times:

• London St Pancras: approx. 24 minutes by train
• Watford: approx. 20 minutes by car
• St Albans: approx. 20 minutes by car or 32 minutes by train (with a change)
• Central London: approx. 40 minutes by car (off-peak)

Borehamwood is popular with families, in part due to its wide selection of educational institutions across all age groups. Primary and secondary schools enjoy good reputations, with a mix of state and independent options.

Primary Schools
Woodlands Primary School has earned praise for its strong emphasis on pupil development (Ofsted rated 'Good' in March 2022). Meryfield Primary School is also well-regarded, focusing on both academic achievement and inclusive values (Ofsted 'Good', 2018). Summerswood Primary School and St Teresa's Catholic Primary School are further popular choices in the town.

Secondary Schools
Hertswood Academy stands out as a comprehensive secondary, recently benefitting from extensive modernisation and new facilities (Ofsted 'Good', Jan 2020). Yavneh College, a Jewish faith secondary, is particularly known for high academic standards ('Outstanding', Ofsted 2011). Elstree UTC specialises in media, gaming, and digital industries, tying in with Borehamwood’s film and TV heritage. The nearby Bushey Meads School also attracts some Borehamwood families.

Independent Schools
Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School and Haberdashers' Aske's School for Girls, located a short distance away in Elstree, enjoy outstanding reputations nationally and are sought-after by families from Borehamwood and beyond.

Colleges and Universities
For further education, Elstree UTC provides a unique offering focused on creative industries. Other colleges, such as West Herts College in Watford and Oaklands College in St Albans, are within easy reach. There are no universities within Borehamwood itself, but excellent transport links make University College London, Middlesex University, and the University of Hertfordshire accessible for commuters.