The 11 best free attractions in Watford

Cassiobury Park is a wonderful spot for a family day out, with plenty of open green spaces that make it perfect for picnics. The park has a variety of food options nearby, including cafés and kiosks where you can grab snacks, ice creams, or a hot drink to enjoy while relaxing on the grass. It’s easy to find a quiet patch for a picnic, whether you prefer being near the hub of activity or tucked away in a more peaceful corner. The atmosphere feels welcoming, and there’s a nice balance between areas to unwind and spaces buzzing with families. For children, the play areas are a real highlight—modern, safe, and full of equipment to keep them entertained for hours. The splash park in summer is a particular favorite, making it great for warm days. Walking along the canal adds another layer of charm, as you can watch narrowboats glide past or simply enjoy a gentle stroll. Between the kids’ attractions, the scenic waterway, and the relaxed picnic-friendly vibe, Cassiobury Park offers something for everyone and easily fills a day with simple but memorable pleasures.

Here are some tips to help you make the most of a day in Cassiobury Park if you’re going for the miniature railway: 🚂 Miniature Railway Ride times are 11 am – 5 pm. It’s a short, fun trip through the trees that kids (and adults!) love. 🎶 Bandstand Today, 3 pm – 5 pm, the Big Bandstand series is on. Free live music in the heart of the park—great to relax after the train ride. 👧 Playgrounds Two big playgrounds: The Hub Playground near the Cha Café has water play features (splash area in summer), climbing frames, and swings. The Lower Playground near the paddling pools is best for younger children. 🍴 Food & Drink Cha Café (by the Hub): Independent café with sandwiches, cakes, kids’ lunch boxes, and good coffee. Gets busy at lunchtime, so earlier or later is best. Ice-cream vans and kiosks are dotted around the park. Plenty of picnic spots if you’d rather bring your own. 🌳 Walks & Extras Lovely riverside walks along the Grand Union Canal (just beyond the railway). Wide open spaces for ball games or frisbee. If you’ve time, stroll through the nature reserve area at the far end of the park—it’s quieter and great for spotting wildlife. 👉 A nice flow for your day could be: Morning: Playground + railway ride Lunch: Picnic or Cha Café Afternoon: Canal walk

This is such an amazing park, for people living around it’s a bliss. It is such a large and lovely place. Large tress with water bodies running canals gives a wholesome feel of forest and countryside.

Amazing and beautiful park for walks with your dog. It has a lot to offer not only to pet owners but also to parents or anyone who enjoys nature 2h free parking included but remember to take a ticket even for free period. There are at least 2 cafe points there, these are a bit pricey but they have good coffee.

I recently visited Cassiobury Park for the Bake Fest event, and it was a really lovely experience. The park itself is beautiful — spacious, green, and well looked after, with plenty of room to walk around and enjoy the atmosphere. The Bake Fest was a real highlight: so many stalls with delicious baked goods, as cakes and pastries. The atmosphere was friendly and welcoming, and it felt like a great community event. Cassiobury Park is already a great place to spend time, whether for a walk, picnic, or just to relax outdoors, and events like Bake Fest make it even more special. I’d definitely recommend visiting, especially when something like this is happening!

Cassiobury Park, Watford is the town’s largest and most popular green space, covering over 190 acres. It offers a mix of natural beauty, family-friendly attractions, and outdoor sports facilities. Family Attractions: Two large children’s playgrounds, a splash pool and paddling pools in summer, and a miniature railway. Sports & Activities: Outdoor gym, tennis courts, basketball, football pitches, golf, and marked walking/cycling trails. Nature & Relaxation: Woodland walks, open meadows, and scenic routes along the Grand Union Canal. Wildlife, including birds and deer, can often be spotted. Facilities: Cafés, refreshment kiosks, picnic spots, and seasonal events such as fairs and concerts. Recognition: Consistently rated among the top parks in the UK. It’s a great spot whether you’re looking for a quiet stroll, a family day out, or outdoor activities.

Its' one of unforgettable experiences visiting a pollution free destination having clean and wide area park, enough parking, playground for kids, ecciting miniature train riding and many more..

A serene ancient woodland known for its towering veteran oaks and rich biodiversity. The scenic bridle paths are especially popular with local horse riders. In autumn, the forest floor transforms with a spectacular variety of fungi and vibrant leaf colors.

A large wood with various paths to explore different aspects of wildlife. Joins Cassiobury Park and the Grand Union Canal if you wanted to make a real day out of it.

Beautiful day, blue bells are competing the floor, not long will be a "blooming' marvellous sight! Not too busy especially if you head of the main path.

Great place for dog walking and being with nature. Several walking paths to choose from. There is also a small park for exercises and play area for children. Nice coffee / snacks cafe serving decent food. Would recommend it any time of the year.

Lovely walk, so many trees of all varieties, snow drops and bluebell's. Great for kids to go and play and learn about the woods. Great for making dens, also good for dog walkers

We had a really fun afternoon out walking around the woods, kicking through the leaves and horsing around with our kids and friends who we met there. Afterwards you can walk into Cassiobury park and let the kids burn off even more energy on the play equipment. Feeling very lucky to live where we live and hAve all this beautiful nature on our doorstep.

So pretty

Stunning garden! We love that it is open to the public with no fee! We presumed we could view the inside of the house too but we realised it does not say “Open house” The garden has different kinds of plants! A must visit and highly recommended. PS. If you have primary aged children, it is a great way to go there for a walk, discuss a bit about plants and bring a picnic. You and your little ones would have a great day out!

Very nice little garden and house, they have fish pond and birds cage with some nice birds inside. Very quiet and calm with some benches to set down and relax. Small car park which makes easier for people with kids and old age people to visit this place. Some benches around to set down and have a rest.

Beautiful gardens and peaceful to reflect and relax, recommend to take a camera to capture moments. Very well kept garden with toilet available and plenty of parking outside nearby. Definitely recommend visiting in the warm weather.

Lovely large wooden garden. Note to those who look after it: The pond pump must be on fire the koi carp as it is like pea soup. A small white bird who has lost its feathers is being pecked and is bleeding. Toilet dreadful. No staff here or able to contact anyone!

Lovely place to chill and lots of beautiful plants and flowers to enjoy.

Visited Friday 24th October. Beautiful gardens, well worth a visit but..... The toilets were closed, with Staff Only signs. Very lucky for me, weddings taking place on that day, so the house was open. I snook in there. I was also under the impression I could get a cup of tea, but may be wrong on that.

What a wonderful find! Beautifully maintained gardens with paths, statues, arbors, quiet benches, koi pond and the day we went an exhibit from a local artist. Small, quaint and quiet -- would be great for a picnic, easy walk, etc.

A small hidden garden in Bushey. A few flowers in full bloom. Good for a short walk and some quiet time. There is a lawn right at the back for yoga, workshops and other activities. They need to keep up the maintenance as it was lacking from what I witnessed during my visit.

The Bushey Rose Garden is situated just outside of the main village and is the perfect place for quiet contemplation. The many varieties of roses that are kept in the garden offer a beautiful perfume and coupled with the other plants, and shrubs offer the perfect aromatherapy location. Every year during the Bushey festival, there is a classical music concert housed on the main lawn.

Beautiful, peaceful garden located near Bushey high street.

First time here. Beautiful garden with plenty of seating areas to sit and enjoy the sun and enjoy looking at the flowers. Plenty of room for wheelchairs and pushchairs , a lovely little centre in the middle which has lots of leaflets informing people of what's going on in the area.

Beautiful quiet rose gardens just off the high street. Plenty of bench’s to sit and take in all the wonderful flowers and huge selection of Roses.

Small garden to walk around and enjoy the various roses. Some lovely places to sit. Very peaceful.

a small very secluded park, lots of different flowers. it is worth sitting and reading a book, the smell of sweet roses is floating around

Leaveston Park is a beautiful blend of history and nature. The park’s open green spaces and well-kept grounds make it a peaceful escape, while the remnants of the old hospital serve as a gentle reminder of the area’s past. The abundance of wildlife adds charm and character — from birds and squirrels to the occasional fox, there’s always something to spot on a quiet stroll. It’s the perfect spot to unwind, picnic, or simply enjoy the calm surroundings. The wide stretches of grass are ideal for a family BBQ or a relaxed afternoon with friends, and the park’s friendly, community feel makes it even more inviting. The weekly park run is a highlight — well-organized and scenic, offering a great mix of challenge and enjoyment for runners of all levels. Whether you’re there to exercise, reflect, or connect with nature, Leaveston Park offers a little something for everyone.

A really nice day out. Lots of interesting things to see and play with. The history is amazing, and information boards are well done. The heritage trail has some interesting things, including a zoetrope, a carved fighter plane, and other carved seats. The cafe is really nice too.

Beautiful park with free car parking, children's play area, outdoor gym and a cafe

Me and my almost 4yr old were so impressed. Lovely clean, smooth paths for him to ride his hike, lots of really cute carved out animals etc and the second play area we found - Langley Lane play area is the most relaxing picturesque park I've ever been to! Huge space and lovely equipment, with the countryside and cows around the outside! Best country park we've been to 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Very and beautiful. Spent a good time here. There is no charge for parking. So you can enjoy without worrying of parking charge. Also there are lots of parking space. This is dog friendly park. This park also has toilet and cafe facilities. There is football field as well after the child playground. There is basketball and mini football stadium as well. Better to go with cycle as this park also has the cyclist path and parking. You will lots of wood arts in this park. Will recommend to you go.

Very nice and peaceful country park. Plenty of space and different places for different groups to have fun. Playground, sculpture trail, cafe, bike hub, football cages, climbing frame stuff, woodland walks, lots of green space... Lots of fun for everyone!

Pretty little park that's quite extensive. Make sure to walk down to the wooded area. Ran the parkrun there and it's quite varied (which makes it more interesting than a simple grass course). Has a coffee shop for refreshments.

Such a great facility, the skatepark is one of my favourites in the UK. Just wish it wasn't on the wrong side of the M25 for me!!

It's a nice location, has a decent but pricey café, a skateboard and a scooter aren't, various swings and a playground with a sandpit. Toilets located by the café. Parking on the street, paid parking.

Amazing place for kids with scooters, bicycles and rollerblades. There are 6 different tracks for different skill levels. Coffee shop and toilets on site. The large benches and wooden picnic tables are great for having a rest, watching the little ones circle around or having a sandwich. The climbing structures are fun for the younger children.

Amazing park with lots of facilities something for the whole family, four different play areas consisting of a skate park climbing frame amongst others. Very well maintained nice café With lots to keep the kids busy

Oxhey Park is great there are various skate parks and tracks for kids to use their scooters and skateboards on. The climbing frames are big enough for adults so I was able to play with my child rather than spectate. There is a water refill station so you can take your own water bottle and refill while there. There is also an accessible climbing frame which is great for buggies and wheelchair users. There is a coffee shop right next to the play area and restrooms which were clean. If you cycle to the park there is plenty of bike lock up spaces.

This is our happy place!so much fun,very clean my son loves it so much.Mixed with the nature and a little river.Highly recommended.Can be crowded on weekend but still lots to choose.

Gets busy. 5 different areas for different abilities and activities. But if you want to learn skateboarding the pump track is a must.

Fantastic service from start to finish. The initial valuation by Jamie was higher than the other local agents and initially I felt the price was not achievable. How wrong I was, I got the full asking price within days. Jamie definitely knows the market. Thanks to Jason who did the viewings. He was polite, on time and put me at ease throughout the process. Big thanks also go to Hannah who I understand is new to the team. She went the extra mile especially with some difficult conversations with the sellers agent and Solicitor. Imagine are not the cheapest of agents but they are well worth the extra as their service is superb and I would definitely recommend them to anyone who is looking to sell their property. Big thanks to all at Imagine Watford.

I was looking for my first property to buy and worked with 3 different agencies. I can confidently say that Imagine were the best agency that I worked with. Everyone at this company were very efficient and professional. As a first time buyer it was quite an overwhelming process and most agencies care more for the seller than the buyer, but Imagine were very supportive and helpful. Sadly, Imagine were not responsible for the listing I chose to buy. I want to extend my thanks to Paul and Dan specifically, who spent a lot of time helping me find my dream property. Hopefully I will get to work with them in the future!

Thank you to Imagine for all your help in the sale of our home. Whilst it ended up being quite a drawn out process due to issues with solicitors in the chain, we felt very supported by the team at Imagine throughout. We are particularly grateful to Hannah for all her hard work. We felt so supported by her throughout the process, and we truly believe we wouldn’t have got through all of the issues with our chain and solicitors without her brilliant work and attitude. She is an asset to Imagine and we cannot thank her enough.

Imagine handled the sale of my property extremely efficiently, from the point of advertising right through to completion. They are professional, helpful and always communicated very clearly at each step of the process. I totally trusted Dan with the management of the viewings and coordinating with my tenants. Jamie’s drive and dedication is clearly evident; nothing is too much trouble as he always goes the extra mile when liaising with all parties to ensure all queries are answered to facilitate the transaction. The conveyancing firm used by Imagine are very efficient too, providing a great service to clients. Overall, I would have no hesitation in using Imagine in the future and was very happy with the service provided.

I started to have issues with both my fridge and dishwasher at the same time! I logged the issue and the response time was much faster than I expected. Due to the nature of the issue the lovely property manager had it replaced within a matter of days. The communication and efficiency of the service I have received is amazing. Thank you!

Truly above and beyond. My experience and effusive review is focused on Katie Rowe who is a Sale Progression agent. At the top I will be clear that Imagine were not actually our agents and so Katie did not actually work for us. Katie was representing our vendors. We had an absolutely beyond horrible experience with Convey Law as our solicitors, and challenges with our buyer. We had a house chain of 5 vendors which, by sheer number, is not great. From one of the very early interactions with Katie, where I did a simple thing of asking for a clarification for something, I even showed Katie’s email response to my wife to say “this is unusually patient and helpful”. Patient and helpful for any profession, let alone estate agents with all the stereotypes. To cut overtly excessive praise short, because I can really go on for a while, without Katie’s experience, energy, proactivity, level headed approach, and professional heroics, we are pretty sure we would not have gotten to exchange. Buying a house is meant to be one of the most stressful things you can do. Our process was extremely stressful. Also, as I said at the top, Katie didn’t even work for us. We are beyond grateful and full of deep gratitude for the sheer dumb luck of having Katie in our vendor chain.

I was in desperate need of finding a new property to rent and Ellie Slaughter helped me find the perfect property. All boxes were ticked in regards to finding something to suit me and my baby. Very pleased and will be using Imagine again in the future. Highly recommend!

The park is really well-maintained with a lovely vibe. Kids have plenty to enjoy with the play area, plus there’s a skate and cycling track. The only downside is that it gets a bit dark after sunset since there aren’t many lights.

We didn’t make it last time, because of the limited parking space. So we made it this time, wait for 15 mins for a parking. Well, look at the video and you can tell how fun is it and the kids enjoy so much. If you planning to visit Oxhey, better not in Bank Holidays. 😂😂

Bike, skateboard, scooter and skates, this place is perfect for them all, whether you are a complete beginner or expert all the parts of this park are to suit. The different parts range from kids' pump tracks to intermediate bike trail with jumps. There's a big park and table tennis too. The cafe is another additional highlight, well priced coffees and snacks are available. It's very clean and well manicured, which is rare for a big activity park such as this, so credit to staff who keep it that way. There's a car park on site with disabled parking bays available with contactless payment. It's definitely a place to enjoy for the day with plenty to do for the kids and a well-deserved coffee for the adults

Great place for little ones to practice their push bike, scooter or skateboarding skills. You could see kids as little as 3 year olds on their scooters as well as adults on the skate boards. We came early and it was already packed. Still would highly recommend.

Great for kids of all ages, skateboard, mini scooter , bikes of all sizes and ability are able to use this place. Purpose built areas with ramps, dips, bowls, steps and rails. Good cafe at top end with playground and toilets available. When busy could do with more picnic tables. Bridge tales you over river to Oxhey Park, where at top end is another playground. Good open areas. Only let down is parking spaces, not enough in my opinion. But you could park up on main road, top of hill over river and walk down. Highly recommend and will take my grandson here again, he loves it. 👍👍

Brilliant park for young ones, great section of playground which my daughter enjoyed. Will look to bring the bike next time and try out the tracks. Be warned the parking spaces are very limited for such a popular park - though it is free for the first hour.

Barely any car parks and no parking nearby in the streets. I don’t understand why you’d build a great park like this but make it completely inaccessible?? You have to wait in the car park for ages waiting for someone to leave. What a shame it’s so poorly designed for people to visit.

I visited here in August 2022 as part of walking the London Loop around London. The route went through a nice open area of the playing fields.

Visited for the Parkrun on a freezing Saturday morning. A great cross country style route with three laps of the park. Fantastic volunteers as usual at these events. 9am Saturdays - it's free, try it!

This is my local park and fields it is also known as the golf course as it used to be an 18 hole golf course. There is a large carpark and carpenders park station is a short walk away. It is a large open green space with wooded areas and also some fruit trees and bushes. There is an all weather football pitch, two tennis courts, a basketball court and a small skatepark. There are plenty of benches and two parks either end of the fields with one of them having some fitness machines. Worth a visit with your children.

The field stretches so far that it doesn't seem to have an end. Very suitable place for a relaxing stroll-around.

Nice large field Well kept with a smallish kids play area.

I fly the drone here a lot I also walk and play football to it's huge and a great walk to get to areas of south oxhey

Wonderful open fields with woodland walk. Ample space for dogs and kids with safe play areas. Free parking at the pub.

One of the biggest and most important ISKCON temples in the UK is the Hare Krishna Temple, formerly known as ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor, which is situated in Watford, just outside of London. The temple is more than just a place of worship, and its grounds are immaculate. In keeping with the ancient Vedic ambiance, it has a calm lake, open areas perfect for strolling, and even a goshala (cow sanctuary). It is a serene, friendly, and profoundly spiritual place that is ideal for introspection, prayer, or just enjoying the peace and quiet. Plenty of parking and easy access. All worshippers were fed at breakfast and lunch times.

Visiting the Hare Krishna Temple in Watford was such a peaceful and uplifting experience. The temple is beautiful, serene, and welcoming. My Family and I really enjoyed exploring the grounds, learning about the traditions, and experiencing the vibrant atmosphere. It’s a lovely place for quiet reflection, cultural appreciation, and a family-friendly outing. Highly recommended for anyone wanting a unique and spiritual experience. 🙏✨

Located just outside London in Watford, the Hare Krishna Temple—formally known as ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor—is one of the largest and most significant ISKCON temples in the UK. This spiritual sanctuary offers a peaceful retreat from the city and provides visitors with a truly immersive cultural and devotional experience. Set in beautifully maintained grounds, the temple is more than just a place of worship. It features a serene lake, open spaces ideal for walking, and even a goshala (cow sanctuary), all contributing to the traditional Vedic atmosphere. The environment is calm, welcoming, and deeply spiritual—perfect for reflection, prayer, or simply taking in the tranquil setting. Inside, visitors can participate in puja and other traditional Hindu rituals. Whether you’re familiar with Krishna consciousness or simply exploring different spiritual paths, the temple offers a unique opportunity to learn and connect with an ancient tradition. The temple architecture and interior design reflect classic Indian aesthetics, with vibrant deities, sacred music, and incense creating an atmosphere that feels both sacred and alive. A visit to this temple is more than a sightseeing stop—it’s a journey into spirituality, culture, and peaceful living. Whether you’re a devotee, a tourist, or simply curious, the Hare Krishna Temple in Watford is a must-visit destination in the London area.

First time visit . Waited more than 3 hours in traffic on hillfield road to enter the temple. There was a long queue back wherever you see. At entrance there was long queue to get to the car park and by the time we got parking we have spent more than 6 hours from our home to the temple which usually takes less than 2 hours, as a result whole family especially kids were tired. Somehow we managed to get inside the temple and went to use the loo after a long journey , women side was fine however men side there was a long queue due to only one portable toilet operating so had to wait there too. We did not get the prashadam due to long queue so decided to use RadhaRani`s cafe which was a good experience, the staff were nice and helpful, the food was delicious too. Then we went for darshan which took around 90 mins in the queue. I would not like to give low ratings or star for this holy place and we should be all appreciating for all their services and help especially the volunteers near around the car park standing and trying to help in whichever manner possible. However I would like to provide feedback to improve the service to provide a great and memorable experience to all those visiting on this major event so please don't take it in a wrong way. Things to improve for management team: A concise planning of traffic management entering and exiting the temple with cleaner guidelines provided to all volunteers. Better lighting and signage of zones eg.Blue field, green field required around car park which was very evident last night as people were struggling to even find the location of those field zones. There should be more proactive role of local council participation during this kind of major event to better manage traffic and help easing the traffic congestion. The official temple website should provide update on the day of the event for any new direction arrangement so people can better prepared themselves. Overall, the experience was good.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Bhaktivedanta Manor is truly a special and unforgettable place. From the moment you enter the grounds, there’s an overwhelming sense of peace and positivity that immediately makes you feel welcome. The manor itself is full of history and devotion, and the temple is simply beautiful — a place where you can genuinely feel a deep spiritual connection. The gardens and grounds are stunning and so carefully looked after. Walking through them feels like stepping into a sanctuary away from the stresses of daily life. The cows, the lake, and the greenery all add to the atmosphere of simplicity, purity, and harmony with nature. It’s impossible not to feel calm and uplifted while exploring. What makes this place even more special is the community. The devotees are so warm, kind, and approachable — always ready to answer questions or simply share a smile. The kirtan (devotional singing) is incredibly moving and uplifting, filling the temple with energy that stays with you long after you leave. And of course, the prasadam (sanctified vegetarian food) is wonderful. It’s served with such love and generosity, and it really adds to the whole experience of feeling cared for and nourished in every sense. Whether you are visiting for spiritual inspiration, cultural experience, or just to find some peace and quiet, Bhaktivedanta Manor is a gem. Every visit leaves me feeling refreshed, happier, and more connected — not just spiritually, but also within myself. It’s a place that welcomes everyone with open arms, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. 🕉️🙏🏽

Nice relaxing place to visit, love the garden and the cow farm, food is really good too. Loads of free parking, check website prior to visiting to ensure an event is not on as you need to book on some of those dates

Certainly! Here's a slightly longer, heartfelt review of your **birthday visit to ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor (Hare Krishna Temple, Watford)**: --- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ **A soul-touching and serene birthday experience** I visited Bhaktivedanta Manor on my birthday and it turned out to be one of the most peaceful and meaningful experiences I’ve had. The day began with a calming walk through the beautiful gardens and serene Tulsi and Krishna Lila areas, followed by a lovely guided tour of the Manor. Learning about the history, the cows in the Goshalla, and the values of the temple added so much depth to the visit. Attending the pooja and aarti was truly special—the devotion, music, and energy in the temple room created such a divine atmosphere. It felt deeply personal and spiritually refreshing. The temple staff and volunteers were warm and welcoming, and the entire experience felt like a gentle blessing on my birthday. Highly recommended for anyone looking to connect with spirituality, peace, and nature—all in one place.