Elstree is a pleasant little village in the Hertsmere borough of Hertfordshire, which is the other half of the parish of Elstree and Borehamwood. Sitting just above the conveniently-located M1, the village is most known for its association to the film and TV industry. However, despite the associations with showbiz, this is a great, family-orientated place to live and highly popular with commuters. Also home to the Hilifield Park Reservoir and Aldenham and Centennial Country Park, Elstree has more green space that you could ever hope for.

The film industry is certain a big chunk of Elstree’s history, but it’s not all glitz and glamour. The Elstree reservoir, which now provides families with a lovely day out, was in fact built in 1795 by French prisoners of war. The Elstree Aerodrome was later created during the Second World War to launch and modify Wellington Bombers during the Battle of Britain. However, the “British Hollywood” does deserve a historical mention. The first film studio was built in the mid 1920s by film producer Herbert Wilcox and J.D. Williams. The area soon became the location for filming of loved classics such as the Star Wars franchise.

Back in 1823, way before the film industry, Elstree was known for another type of drama – violent murder. When William Weare was killed nearby, and his body found in a pond in Elstree, the incident produced scandal and fear across the country and was even referenced by Charles Dickens in his unveiling of the dark world of underground gambling.

Some of the downsides to Elstree, as expressed by locals, is the threat to its rural ambience by overdevelopment of the Green Belt. Additionally, the prominence of the M1, though convenient, is producing concerns about road safety, congestion and pollution.

Elstree is potentially undergoing a few changes despite being part of the Metropolitan Green Belt. A new concourse openned at the Elstree & Borehamwood station in 2019 to deal with the areas growing popularity. Additionally, £1.1 million has been spent to improve the crossroads junction – another plan to deal with the growing commuter population. Looking into the future, new housing developments such as a new 850-home community on the outskirts of Borehamwood are planned. This will include a new country park as well as new teaching space for the local college and a proposed new primary school.