Hertsmere Borough Council's Interactive Heritage Map

As a historic borough, Hertsmere has so much to offer. Please scroll and choose a section or a point on the map to find out more!

Hertsmere Borough Council

Potters Bar Museum

Potters Bar Museum tells the story of the growth of Potters Bar from a tiny village on the Great North Road, to the thriving present day town. The Museum opened in 1990 and offers a delightful jumble of nostalgia of items relating to Potters Bar and the local area. It is in one of the earliest known sites of interest in the area, facing the timber-framed Wyllyotts Manor, part of which dates back to the 14th century (now used as a restaurant and a public house). The museum also has a café which closes at 2pm.

Elstree and Borehamwood Museum

Elstree and Borehamwood Museum is an independent local history museum which opened its doors in 2000. It evolved out of a community history project with a small collection of objects and photographs. Run entirely by volunteers, the museum has acquired a large collection of items leading to the production of themed displays, talks, workshops for schools and local community groups and answering a busy enquiry service.

Bushey Museum and Art Gallery

Bushey Museum and Art Gallery tells the story of Bushey and its unique artistic history. With works mainly from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the museum was founded in 1983 with the aim of collecting and safeguarding the very considerable artistic heritage of Bushey.

Radlett and District Museum

This Museum opened in October 2020. Despite its small size, the Museum holds a considerable archive of documents, photographs, pictures and memorabilia relating to Radlett and the surrounding areas, including Aldenham and Letchmore Heath. The Museum also has an archive of oral history recordings with local residents.

The Cage, Shenley - 19th Century Prison

This lockup was built in the 1700s. Before the establishment of a national police service, criminals who had committed minor offences were dealt with locally by placing the offenders in the village lock up for a short time. The Cage has the inscription 'DO WELL. AND FEAR NOT.'/'BE SOBER. BE VIGILANT'.

Elstree Aerodrome

Elstree Aerodrome (originally a home and then a country club) started out as a grass field to give members of the club who owned their own aircrafts a place where they could fly. During WWII, a concrete runway was put down and a large Hangar was constructed to allow work to commence on Wellington bombers.

Potters Bar Station Memorial Garden

This garden was built as a tribute to 7 people who tragically died in a rail crash here in 2002. It is located next to Potters Bar station and is an area where you can take the time to pause and remember.

Coal Posts - Potters Bar

You may never have noticed these interesting markers of history before but they actually served an important purpose in the 1800s. They were used to mark a boundary around London where taxes on coal were due to the Corporation of London. The taxes collected were used to fund public works in London and surrounding areas.

WWII Pillboxes - Potters Bar Golf Club

Two type-24 British hardened field defences of World War II were unearthed on Potters Bar Golf Course in 2009. These small fortified structures were popularly known as pillboxes and they formed part of London's defences against German invasion during the war.

TV and Film

Hertsmere, in particular Elstree and Borehamwood, has been at the heart of British TV and film for over a century. Most shows are filmed in Elstree Studios otherwise known as the birthplace of Star Wars, however some have taken to the streets of the borough to film.

Elstree Screen Heritage: Film and TV Heritage Trail

Elstree Screen Heritage was founded by a group of local residents in 2006 who were passionate about Elstree & Borehamwood's rich film and TV heritage.

Letchmore Heath

Letchmore Heath is more than just a quaint village in Hertfordshire, it has also served as a popular filming location over the years. Most notably the eerie 1960 horror film Village of the Damned adapted from a novel by John Wyndham. Local buildings such as The Three Horseshoes Pub and Aldenham School were used during filming.

Bushey Rose Garden

The Bushey Rose Garden was created in 1913 by garden designer Thomas Hayton Mawson for the Artist Hubert von Herkomer. Since its restoration in 2010 funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Bushey Rose Garden has retained its Green Flag 'Heritage Site Accreditation' status.

Parkfield, Potters Bar

Parkfield in Potters Bar is not just your average park. This location hosts historical relics which include the remains of a Roman Kiln and a WW11 air raid shelter. The name Potters Bar is thought to derive from evidence of a Roman pottery, believed to have operated here.

Hertsmere Parks and Green Spaces

There are plenty of beautiful outdoor spaces to lose yourself in in Hertsmere, with some of them achieving green flag status. You can find out what open spaces are close to you either on our website here or on ParksHerts.

Locally Listed Buildings

Locally listed buildings are important buildings or structures of historical, or architectural, interest to the local community. Although they may not be of sufficient merit to be designated by Historic England as Grade I, II* or II buildings on the statutory list, they can still have an important role in defining the character and appearance of an area!

War Memorials

There is at least one memorial in each town and village in Hertsmere. Each one is different and displays a proud elegance, fitting of the brave men and women who gave their lives and whose names are etched on their side.

Thank You

Thank you for using Hertsmere Borough Council's Interactive Heritage Map.

Potters Bar Museum

Potters Bar Museum tells the story of the growth of Potters Bar from a tiny village on the Great North Road, to the thriving present day town. The Museum opened in 1990 and offers a delightful jumble of nostalgia of items relating to Potters Bar and the local area. It is in one of the earliest known sites of interest in the area, facing the timber-framed Wyllyotts Manor, part of which dates back to the 14th century (now used as a restaurant and a public house). The museum also has a café which closes at 2pm.

Find the latest information about the museum on our  website .

Elstree and Borehamwood Museum

Elstree and Borehamwood Museum is an independent local history museum which opened its doors in 2000. It evolved out of a community history project with a small collection of objects and photographs. Run entirely by volunteers, the museum has acquired a large collection of items leading to the production of themed displays, talks, workshops for schools and local community groups and answering a busy enquiry service.

The museum also holds a monthly reminiscence for over 60s in the area called ' Going down the village' .

Please click  here  to find out what events the museum has on and find out more information (admission price: free!).

Find the latest information about the museum on our  website .

Bushey Museum and Art Gallery

Bushey Museum and Art Gallery tells the story of Bushey and its unique artistic history. With works mainly from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the museum was founded in 1983 with the aim of collecting and safeguarding the very considerable artistic heritage of Bushey.

Please click  here  to find out more about this museum, their opening hours and what activities they currently have on (admission price: free!).

For a small fee, you can also join the Friends of Bushey Museum and attend events such as quizzes, concerts and outings. Learn more  here .

Find the latest information about the museum on our  website .

Radlett and District Museum

This Museum opened in October 2020. Despite its small size, the Museum holds a considerable archive of documents, photographs, pictures and memorabilia relating to Radlett and the surrounding areas, including Aldenham and Letchmore Heath. The Museum also has an archive of oral history recordings with local residents.

Collections and Exhibitions

Radlett and District Museum has a permanent display but also presents themed exhibitions. These can include subjects such as Radlett at War, Transport, Religious Establishments and Schools. Off-site exhibitions are also held occasionally.

You can visit their  website  here to find out more about opening times or find out more in their  information leaflet .

Find the latest information about the museum on our  website .

The Cage, Shenley - 19th Century Prison

This lockup was built in the 1700s. Before the establishment of a national police service, criminals who had committed minor offences were dealt with locally by placing the offenders in the village lock up for a short time. The Cage has the inscription 'DO WELL. AND FEAR NOT.'/'BE SOBER. BE VIGILANT'.

Elstree Aerodrome

Elstree Aerodrome (originally a home and then a country club) started out as a grass field to give members of the club who owned their own aircrafts a place where they could fly. During WWII, a concrete runway was put down and a large Hangar was constructed to allow work to commence on Wellington bombers.

Presently, it is used for general aviation and rotary activities, it also has a Greek-run restaurant which everyone is welcome to visit.

Visit their website  here  where you can find out more information about the aerodrome and it's history.

Potters Bar Station Memorial Garden

This garden was built as a tribute to 7 people who tragically died in a rail crash here in 2002. It is located next to Potters Bar station and is an area where you can take the time to pause and remember.

Coal Posts - Potters Bar

You may never have noticed these interesting markers of history before but they actually served an important purpose in the 1800s. They were used to mark a boundary around London where taxes on coal were due to the Corporation of London. The taxes collected were used to fund public works in London and surrounding areas.

See how many you can spot whilst wandering around Potters Bar!

NB. Marker on map is not representative of an actual coal post location.

WWII Pillboxes - Potters Bar Golf Club

Two type-24 British hardened field defences of World War II were unearthed on Potters Bar Golf Course in 2009. These small fortified structures were popularly known as pillboxes and they formed part of London's defences against German invasion during the war.

These structures of local importance can now be enjoyed by both golfers and walkers.

TV and Film

Hertsmere, in particular Elstree and Borehamwood, has been at the heart of British TV and film for over a century. Most shows are filmed in Elstree Studios otherwise known as the birthplace of Star Wars, however some have taken to the streets of the borough to film.

Some other well known programmes you may recognise:

Eastenders: The gritty BBC soap opera Eastenders has been based at the Elstree Studios in Borehamwood since day one, back in 1985, with set extensions such as the fictional tube station being added over the years.

Strictly Come Dancing: Also filmed at Elstree Studios in the George Lucas building is Strictly Come Dancing. Every year, a group of celebs waltz, tango and foxtrot their way to the top of the leader board in the finest rhinestones, frills and tassels (you can also apply to be part of the live studio audience  here !).

The Saint: Wander down Borehamwood High Street and you may recognise it from ITV's The Saint starring Sir Roger Moore. The show was almost exclusively filmed in Hertfordshire. You can even find a plaque commemorating the show in Borehamwood High Street.

Elstree Screen Heritage: Film and TV Heritage Trail

 Elstree Screen Heritage  was founded by a group of local residents in 2006 who were passionate about Elstree & Borehamwood's rich film and TV heritage.

To celebrate all of the men and women who have worked in the film and TV industry, they created a Film and TV Heritage Trail across the borough. Heritage panels dedicated to important screen icons have been placed along the the high street, Shenley Road, from the train station up to Elstree Studios and the BBC Elstree Centre, and beyond, as far as the site of MGM British Studios on Elstree Way. See how many you can find!

Also check out the  Studio Way Woodland and Potterswood Park  and see how many famous film locations you can spot.

Letchmore Heath

Letchmore Heath is more than just a quaint village in Hertfordshire, it has also served as a popular filming location over the years. Most notably the eerie 1960 horror film Village of the Damned adapted from a novel by John Wyndham. Local buildings such as The Three Horseshoes Pub and Aldenham School were used during filming.

Other notable film and TV shows that have been filmed here include The Avengers (1961-1969), As Time Goes By (1992-2005) and Love's Kitchen (2011).

Bushey Rose Garden

 The Bushey Rose Garden  was created in 1913 by garden designer Thomas Hayton Mawson for the Artist Hubert von Herkomer. Since its restoration in 2010 funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Bushey Rose Garden has retained its Green Flag 'Heritage Site Accreditation' status.

Many of the original features of the garden still remain such as the Sunken Garden, Summer House, Monument, Column and Pergola. One of the main features is the listed grade ll fountain. With an onsite gardener, the garden remains a quality green space for visitors to escape to and relax in.

Parkfield, Potters Bar

Parkfield in Potters Bar is not just your average park. This location hosts historical relics which include the remains of a Roman Kiln and a WW11 air raid shelter. The name Potters Bar is thought to derive from evidence of a Roman pottery, believed to have operated here.

For more information on this town's interesting past, please visit  our website .

Hertsmere Parks and Green Spaces

There are plenty of beautiful outdoor spaces to lose yourself in in Hertsmere, with some of them achieving green flag status. You can find out what open spaces are close to you either on our website  here  or on  ParksHerts .

Please visit  our website  to find out more about sports and physical activity and opportunities to improve your mental and physical well-being.

Locally Listed Buildings

Locally listed buildings are important buildings or structures of historical, or architectural, interest to the local community. Although they may not be of sufficient merit to be designated by Historic England as Grade I, II* or II buildings on the statutory list, they can still have an important role in defining the character and appearance of an area!

We define locally listed buildings as those that contribute to a streetscape or rural landscape, or that may be of interest because of an historic connection or some other local community significance.

Find out more about locally listed buildings and process of choosing in them in Hertsmere in  this document .

You can also explore Historic England's map of listed buildings  here .

War Memorials

There is at least one memorial in each town and village in Hertsmere. Each one is different and displays a proud elegance, fitting of the brave men and women who gave their lives and whose names are etched on their side.

The memorials are a permanent reminder of the sacrifices made, ultimately for the freedom each of us experience today.

-Borehamwood War Memorial stands in the busiest part of town opposite Elstree Studios. 

-Radlett has a beautiful tall memorial on the corner of Watling Street and Shenley Hill.

-Letchmore Heath in Aldenham parish contains a particularly fine war memorial in the small village green outside the Three Horseshoes. It stands almost 20ft high.

Other memorials can be found at:   

Bushey - School Lane

Elstree - Elstree Hill North just beyond St Nicholas Church

Potters Bar - by Oakmere Park and the Prisoner of War Memorial in Mutton Lane

Shenley - by the pond

South Mimms - by the White Hart Public House

Thank You

Thank you for using Hertsmere Borough Council's Interactive Heritage Map.

If you have time, we'd love to get your feedback! Head to our website and fill in our  comments, complaints and compliments form .