Borehamwood

Studio lights have illuminated these streets for decades. Borehamwood earned its stripes as Britain's Hollywood, where countless TV shows and films found their home at the famous Elstree Studios. The town itself feels refreshingly ordinary after all that glitz - proper suburbia with tree-lined roads and that lived-in quality you get in commuter towns that grew up fast.

Film buffs should definitely seek out Grim's Dyke, the former home of Gilbert and Sullivan composer W.S. Gilbert. It's an atmospheric Victorian pile with theatrical connections that go way beyond its famous former resident. The Wood Farm London Viewpoint offers cracking views across the capital on clear days - a reminder of how close you are to the action despite feeling firmly in Hertfordshire.

Transport links are brilliant. Elstree & Borehamwood station puts you in central London in under half an hour, making this an ideal spot for anyone wanting to explore both the capital and the Hertfordshire countryside. The surrounding area rolls gently into proper farmland and woodland, with Aldenham Country Park providing a dose of nature just minutes from the high street.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense. You're close enough to nip into London for West End shows or museum visits, but far enough out to enjoy quieter evenings and countryside walks. Several touring parks dot the area, including options at Elstree Park and The Mimms Caravan Park, giving you flexibility for exploring both urban attractions and the gentler pleasures of rural Hertfordshire.