Elstree

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Elstree
Elstree shown within Hertfordshire
OS grid reference	TQ175955
Parish	Elstree & Borehamwood
District	Hertsmere
Shire county	Hertfordshire
Region	East
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	BOREHAMWOOD
Postcode district	WD6
Dialling code	020
Police	Hertfordshire
Fire	Hertfordshire
Ambulance	East of England
European Parliament	East of England
UK Parliament	Hertsmere
List of places: UK • England • Hertfordshire

Coordinates: 51°38′N 0°18′W / 51.64, -0.3

Elstree is a village in the Hertsmere borough of Hertfordshire on the A5, north of London. It forms part of the civil parish of Elstree and Borehamwood (originally known simply as the parish of Elstree).

The nearest railway station is Elstree & Borehamwood. The names of Elstree and Borehamwood can be, to a certain extent, used interchangeably. The area of Borehamwood to the west of the railway line, formally Deacon's Hill is colloquially called Elstree even though it is not contiguous with the village. Elstree Film Studios lie in Borehamwood.

There was an Elstree Rural District from 1941 to 1974.

It is most famous for giving its name to the Elstree Film Studios where a number of famous British films were made. The TV soap opera EastEnders is filmed at the BBC's Elstree Studios, but these, too, are in nearby Borehamwood. Elstree studios have been the home of the Big Brother UK house since series 3. It was announced that in 2008 the house will be moved elsewhere for the foreseeable future, however, the plan to move house will not go ahead now.

Nearby Aldenham Country Park is both a recreational facility and a breeding centre for rare livestock.

In 1779, Martha Ray (c. 1742–1779), singer and mistress of John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, was buried in the parish church after she had been shot dead by the Rev. James Hackman, Rector of Wiveton in Norfolk.

In the nineteenth century Elstree became notorious for the Elstree murder.

"Elstree" is also the title of a song about the film studio by The Buggles on their 1979 album The Age of Plastic.

Elstree Aerodrome has a paved 656 metre runway, suitable for light aircraft use.

[edit] Schools

Elstree is home to Aldenham School and Haberdashers' Aske's school.

Elstree School, a boys' preparatory school was initially situated in Elstree; however it relocated to its current site in Woolhampton, Berkshire during the Second World War.

[edit] Notable residents

Anna Neagle lived in Deacon's Hill during her years as a film star
Simon Cowell, the American Idol and X Factor judge, was raised in Elstree.
Stanley Kubrick, film director
Joan Collins, actress and author, lived in Barnet Lane, while married to Anthony Newley, Singer, actor and film composer
Amy Winehouse tried to buy a house in Elstree although this is unconfirmed

[edit] External links

'Parishes: Elstree', A History of the County of Hertford: volume 2 (1908), pp. 349-51.
'Elstree', The Environs of London: volume 4: Counties of Herts, Essex & Kent (1796), pp. 24-8.
Elstree Aerodrome