Did you know that...
Actress Joan Collins lived in Elstree on Barnet Lane. Nobel Prize winner Archer John Porter Martin also lived on the same street. Another famous resident is American Idol and X Factor judge Simon Cowell. He grew up here. Frank Podmore, the founding member of the Fabian Society, was born in Elstree. Filmmaker John Baxter is among the famous residents as well. Explorer Richard Francis Burton lived here as a child. His uncle, Francis Burton, is the Elstree resident that made Napoleon’s Death Mask in 1821. Although located in nearby Borehamwood, the residential area and open space known as Deacon’s Hill is called Elstree by the residents.
This WD6 area is known for the Elstree Studios and BBC Elstree Centre. Notable productions include the famous soap opera EastEnders, medical drama Holby City, children’s drama series Grange Hill, comedy series Sadie J, reality show This Time Next Year, comedy series The Muppet Show, talent show Little Big Shots, and many others. This North London village is twinned with Huainan in China, Fontenay-aux-Roses in France, and Offenburg in Germany. The local railway station was built in 1868. It is called Elstree & Borehamwood. It serves both villages. Architect Charles Holden designed the underground station, however, the project was not completed.
The A5183 road which is the part of the ancient trackway Watling Street passes through this area. The part of the road within the village is known as Elstree Hill South and Elstree Hill North. The High Street is also on this road. The 18th-century building that housed the school is on Elstree Hill South. The building is now a Bupa Care Center and the school has moved to Woolhampton. This area has several Grade II listed buildings. The Holly Bush pub dates from the 15th century. Aldenham House is from the 17th century. Architect George Henry Walton designed and built The Leys in 1901.
