Situated just 15 miles northwest of Central London on the sleepy River Colne, Watford is a historic town that has attracted visitors seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of the capital city for hundreds of years.
Initially a market town with a thriving industrial base of paper-making mills, print works and an endless number of local breweries, Watford became a popular stopping point for travellers seeking out Berkhamsted Castle and the royal palace at Kings Langley.
However, it wasn’t until the creation of the Grand Junction Canal in 1798 and the railway in 1837 that Watford truly began to grow. Since then, Watford has continued to be a popular stopping point for locals and visitors alike, as it manages to strike a perfect balance between its established history and dynamic present.
For those of you visiting Watford during the day, there are a wide variety of different local attractions to visit. This includes everything from historic sites, such as the 92 nationally listed buildings that can be found here, to more modern attractions such as the Warner Bros. Studio, which is home to the incredibly popular Harry Potter experience.
But for those of you looking to extend your stay into the evening, what is there to get up to in the evening?
Grab a drink in one of the many local watering holes.
Given how important breweries have been to the development of Watford over the last few centuries, it is little surprise that this humble town has such a wide selection of great pubs and other watering holes!
Watford has a long and storied history of brewing, although the two major brewers who called this town home, Benskins and Sedgwicks, have long since closed.
Despite this, the appreciation for a fine brew has not been lost. Nowadays, Watford continues to provide locals and visitors alike with an incredible selection of pubs to choose from.
Fans of real ale will be particularly well looked after, with pubs such as The Prince George serving up a wide selection to choose from! Other popular spots include Golden Lion, Southern Cross, The Estcourt Arms and O’Neill’s, which offer excellent drinks, fantastic food options and a variety of entertainment options to carry you through the night!
Experience the lively casino scene
If you want something a little bit different from the boozers and music venues visitors typically stick to, an increasingly popular option with locals has been to spend a few hours at the handful of casinos that litter Watford!
There are several casinos and betting shops to choose from, each of which offer the perfect complement to a night of festivities. However, if you don’t fancy leaving the comfort of your chosen pub, you can of course always opt for an online casino instead!
Experience some hometown pride and watch a football match
If you really want to get a sense of the hometown pride locals have for Watford, we highly recommend catching a Watford F.C. match!
Watford F.C. is a professional football club based right in Watford that currently plays in the EFL Championship, having previously spent many seasons competing in the English Premier League and FA Cup.
Watford F.C. is one of the most historic clubs in the UK, with roots stretching all the way back to 1881 with the establishment of the Watford Rovers. Watford F.C. has been running since 1898 and is a staple of the English football scene.
Although Watford F.C. has certainly had their ups and downs over the years, particularly following their relegation from the Premier League in the 2021-22 season, this has not dampened their fan’s support. Some of these fans even include celebrities such as Elton John, who previously served as club chairman in 1976.
With that said, if you really want to get a sense of what makes Watford F.C. so special, one of the best nightlife activities is to attend a game at the newly expanded Vicarage Road stadium.
Catch a show at the theatre
Even if you don’t plan on watching a show, the gorgeous Edwardian Watford Palace Theatre is worth taking in.
Built in 1908, the Palace Theatre has a striking façade featuring beautiful brickwork and a copper dome. Over the years, it has hosted music hall shows, comedy gigs and theatrical performances from some of the country’s leading entertainers.
Despite being over a century old, however, the Palace Theatre is still very much alive and hosts a lively schedule of productions. This includes smaller, local productions, as well as touring musicals straight from London’s West End!
Another worthy venue for live productions is the Watford Colosseum, which is another gorgeous brick building constructed in 1938. It served as a Town Hall for a brief period, although it now hosts a range of concerts and live productions.
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