Things to Do in Watford, United Kingdom: Walking Guide

Watford is a Hertfordshire town shaped by water, transport and industry. For anyone looking for things to do in Watford, its historic church, former brewing heritage and connections with the River Colne offer a glimpse into how the town developed. Neywo also has a free audio guide for Watford, with 1 narrated place available in 11 languages.

What to See in Watford

Church of St Peter and St Paul

The Church of St Peter and St Paul is Watford’s parish church and a Grade I listed building on the west side of Church Street. Its history reaches back to the medieval period, although the Domesday Book entry for Watford contains no mention of a church or priest.

The main structure was built during the 14th and 15th centuries, with additional work carried out in the 18th and 19th centuries. Inside, the church includes a nave, north and south aisles, a chancel with a north chapel, north and south porches, and a west tower. It is one of the clearest places in Watford to encounter the town’s long religious and architectural history.

Watford’s brewing heritage

Brewing played an important role in Watford’s development. Benskins eventually became the town’s most influential brewery, benefiting from the River Colne’s water supply and from transport connections that linked Watford to wider commercial networks. The company also absorbed several local competitors.

Brewing in Watford ended in the 1970s, and the brewery itself has since disappeared. Its former family mansion survives as Watford Museum, where the town’s industrial past, local communities and changing character can be explored.

The River Colne

The River Colne helped shape Watford’s growth. Its water supported industrial activity, including printing works, mills and breweries, and its course remains part of the town’s green and cultural landscape.

The riverside provides a different perspective on Watford from its busy urban centre. It reflects the role that water played in the town’s prosperity and connects the modern town with its industrial history.

Monmouth House

Monmouth House is a Grade II listed building on the High Street dating from the early seventeenth century. Today, it accommodates a pub, placing a historic building within the centre of contemporary town life.

Its survival among modern streets makes it a useful reminder that Watford’s history is not confined to museums. Architectural details and older buildings remain woven into the everyday townscape.

Watford between rural roots and industry

Watford’s story is one of change. The town was once surrounded by farmland, but the arrival of the railway and the Grand Union Canal connected it to broader commercial networks and encouraged industrial development. The River Colne added another important influence, providing water for businesses that helped shape the local economy.

This combination of transport, water and industry gives Watford a distinctive character. A visit can combine the medieval Church of St Peter and St Paul, historic buildings such as Monmouth House, the town’s brewing legacy and the riverside landscape.

Watford is part of England, within the United Kingdom. It can also be considered alongside other English destinations such as Wells and Warwick.

Explore Watford with Neywo

Neywo’s free Watford audio guide includes 1 narrated place. The story plays as you reach the place, at your own pace, with no group and no schedule. Open the app, walk to the location and listen as Neywo tells you about it when you arrive. Narration is available in 11 languages.