Watford's best free attractions as chosen by our readers

Perhaps unsurprisingly, many said their favourite attraction was the award-winning Cassiobury Park.

The 190 acres of grassland has a variety of facilities such as The Tea Pavilion cafe, bowling green, tennis courts, outdoor gym and bandstand.

It represents great fun for families with its model railway, paddling pools for children to play in, and bouncy castle in the summer.

It was one of three Watford attractions that were voted UK’s top 10 parks at the Green Flag People’s Choice Awards last November.

• Cassiobury Park in Watford named among top 10 in UK
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Michael Horn commented on Facebook: “Cassiobury Park was always a hit with us as kids, still the same when returned in 2015.”

Three of Watford's parks were voted the UK's top 10 parks. (Image: Watford Borough Council)

Our readers also mentioned Oxhey Park and its activity park as their favourite free things to do in Watford, which was also voted among the UK’s top 10 parks last year.

The activity park underwent a major refurbishment in 2020 which added a skatepark, the Tasty Bean cafe, BMX track and adventure playground to its offering. 

The Oxhey Activity Park underwent a major refurbishment in 2020.

Past Cassiobury Park lies Whippendell Woods which is another of our readers' favourite free attractions in the area. 

The 165.3 acres of ancient woodlands has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest since 1954 due to its diverse range of fungi and invertebrates.

The woodlands is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. (Image: Watford Borough Council/Pixabay)The leading free outdoor art festival, Imagine Watford, is another free attraction that made the list. 

The last edition in 2022 saw a variety of dance performances and circus acts organised by the Watford Palace Theatre.

Although the festival hasn't been confirmed for 2024, the website says it "will be back, bigger and better than ever".