WATFORD Metropolitan Line (Watford)









Cassiobury Park, just outside Watford town, is a children’s paradise, especially in the summer when there are shallow watercress streams to be trawled, wild flower meadows to be explored and small weirs to have fun with. Once the grounds of Cassiobury House( demolished in 1927) the park also has excellent formal paddling pools – one with a fountain, to say nothing of the miniature railway that winds through the woodland at weekends. There is also a café and a stretch of water for fishing.

All this makes for a most relaxing day just pootling about – it’s heart-warming to see lots of chirpy kids in outsize wellies and fishing nets splashing about so happily in the old-fashioned way. Don’t forget to visit the lock on the Grand Union Canal.

This wonderland is about ten minutes’ walk from Watford Tube Station. Turn left out of the Underground, left again down Swiss Avenue which curves left into Gade Avenue. The park is on the right. However, before you go into the park itself you might like to go and see the truly astonishing Cassio Bridge Lodge at the end of Gade Avenue – only a short detour. Walk past the sign for the park and go under the railway bridge. Soon you will see a large dwelling that is a cross between a log cabin and a gingerbread house. It was designed in the early nineteenth century, as part of Humphry Repton’s landscaping of Cassiobury Park for the 5th Earl of Essex. An unusual start to your explorations!

Excellent access for wheel users, as there is a wide paved path that follows the course of the River Gade and the canal. A map might come in useful once you are in the park, though it’s not difficult to find your way around. If you fancy a longish ramble, you could walk along the tow path to Croxley .
Nanny’s note: However tempting the leaves look, don’t eat the watercress, as, unless grown under controlled conditions, it can cause illness. Also, I’m sure I don’t really need to remind anyone, but do keep a very close eye on toddlers in any watery situation, however idyllic.

© DR2007





Watford is just one walk from the many to be found at London Tube Rambles. There are architectural gems, beautiful country views, historic places and whacky buildings to be found, even in the most unpromising areas covered by the Greater London Underground stations. Usually the places listed are within a mile of the Tube - often only five minutes walk away. If you reached this as an individual page via a search engine, you might like to go to www.londontuberambles.co.uk to see the other destinations explored . You'll be amazed at what's out there!