Elstree

Elstree is a large village in the Hertsmere borough of Hertfordshire, England. It is about northwest of central London on the former A5 road, which follows the course of Watling Street. In 2011, its population was 5,110. It forms part of the civil parish of Elstree and Borehamwood, originally known simply as Elstree.
The village often lends its shorter name to businesses and amenities in the adjacent town of Borehamwood, and the names of Elstree and Borehamwood are used interchangeably. Elstree is perhaps best known for multiple Elstree Film Studio complexes, where many films were made, including BBC Elstree Centre, where the TV soap opera EastEnders is shot. This production centre is actually in Borehamwood.
The local newspaper is the Borehamwood and Elstree Times. Together with Borehamwood, the village is twinned with Offenburg in Germany, Fontenay-aux-Roses in France, and Huainan in China.

History

Etymology

The name "Elstree" derives from the Anglo-Saxon phrase for "Tidwulf's Tree", which is mentioned as "Tidulfres treow" in an 11–12th-century manuscript of an A.D. 786 charter. It is thought that "the "T" lost in the wrong division of 'aet Tidwulfes treo'."
A reference to a place in Hertford as "Ilestre" in 1460 may also be a variation.
In 1723, topographer John Norden noted in his book Speculum Britanniae, that in the county of Hartfordshire was one "Elstre or Eglestre". In an earlier edition, he writes:
Nemus aquilinum is the Latin for "grove of eagles".
Robinson Crusoe author, Daniel Defoe wrote in his 1748 travel guide that:
In 1811, topographer Daniel Lysons writes:

5th century: Battle of Ailestreu (Elstree)

In the 5th century, British warlord Vortigern and his two sons, Vortimer and Catigern, took part in the Battle of Elstree, then called the Battle of Ailestreu, where the Saxon Horsa was killed. It's possible there is confusion with the Battle of Aylesbury. George Moberly writes:

16th–18th centuries

The Manor of Elstree was formerly included in the Manor of Parkbury, and belonged to the Abbey of St. Albans. On the Dissolution of the Monasteries, it was granted by Henry VIII, to Anthony Denny.
In 1607, Anthony Denny's grandson Edward Denny, 4th Baronet|Edward Denny] sold part of the estate, with all manorial rights, to Robert Briscoe, who sold it the same year to Sir Baptist Hicks. Part of the estate became the Manor of Boreham, and was sold to Edward Beauchamp. It remained with the Beauchamp-Proctor family until 1748, when it was sold to James West, M.P. for St. Albans, who, in or about 1751, alienated it to a Mr Gulston of Widdial. Gulston then sold it to a Mr Pigfatt, a gunsmith, who, within a few years, conveyed it to Thomas Jemmet. In 1774, it was purchased from Mr Jemmet by the late George Byng, M.P. for Middlesex, who passed it on to his son, by which time the estate was called the Manor of Boreham.
In 1776, the House of Lords granted:
In 1796, topographer Daniel Lysons writes:

Transport

Elstree and Borehamwood railway station

is on the Midland Main Line between London St Pancras and Bedford. It was built by the Midland Railway in 1868, and is located just north of the Elstree Tunnels.
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 South Underground station was due to be an extension of the Northern line, planned in the 1930s, but never completed.

Road links

The old A5 road goes through Elstree village, where it is designated as the A5183 road. Through the village, the road is called Elstree Hill South, High Street and Elstree Hill North. The 18th century Grade II listed building, Elstree Hill House, is still on Elstree Hill South, and used to be the home of the old Elstree School. In the early 1900s, it was noted that:

Elstree Aerodrome

is licensed by the CAA and has a paved runway, suitable most for light aircraft and turbine powered G A aircraft. It also is one of the main helicopter centres for north London and is extending its provision in this area.
In the early 1930s, it was a grass landing strip for the local Aldenham House country club. A concrete runway was put down during World War II, and Wellington Bombers were modified here. After World War II the airfield was initially used to fly in converted Halifaxes stacked with food supplies to supplement the depleted British stocks; however, after an overloaded plane damaged the runway it was no longer used for this purpose.
On 29 November 1975, retired Formula One race car driver and Embassy Hill car owner Graham Hill and his racing driver Tony Brise were piloting a twin-engine six-seat Piper PA-23-250 Aztec from France to London with four additional team members aboard. All six were killed when it crashed and burned in heavy fog on Arkley Golf Course, short of the runway.

London Transport works

London Transport's Aldenham Works was sited on the edge of Elstree close to the A41; it was opened in 1956, closed in 1986, and demolished in 1996. It is now a large business park.

Elstree Grange

Originally a 19th-century steam ship owned by the Houlder Brothers, the town also lends its name to a series of ships called the Elstree Grange, at one time sunk during the Second World War.

Buildings

Grade II listed buildings

Elstree is home to a number of Grade II listed buildings, including some at Grade II*, such as:

Holly Bush public house
Aldenham House and stable block
The Leys, built in 1901 by Scottish architect and designer, George Henry Walton.

The Manor hotel

The Manor hotel, formerly known as the Edgwarebury Hotel, is located on Barnet Lane. The Tudor-style building dates back to 1540, was converted into a hotel in the 1960s, and has featured in many TV and film productions, such as the 1968 Hammer Horror classic, The Devil Rides Out. Notable guests have included Peter Sellers, Tom Cruise, John Cleese and Stanley Kubrick. It was the country home of armaments manufacturer and First Baronet Sir (Arthur) Trevor Dawson,.

Other buildings

A house in Elstree designed by architect Edward John May was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1887. St Nicholas Parish Church was designed by English architect Philip Charles Hardwick.

Schools

Elstree is home to Aldenham School, and Haberdashers' Boys' School, both independent public schools, Haberdashers' School for Girls, and St Nicholas Church of England Primary School.
Just outside of Elstree, in the neighbouring town of Borehamwood, are a number of schools. There are Hertswood Academy and Elstree Screen Arts Academy, the vocational school linked with Elstree Studios.
There is also a Jewish high school called Yavneh College, Borehamwood. Yavneh was set up in 2013 by Dr Dena Coleman, ex-headteacher of Hasmonean High School. Dr Coleman was also a board-member of the Jewish National Fund. Just before her retirement in 2013, Dr Coleman died of meningitis. Yavneh College has subsequently been headed up by Spencer Lewis, ex-head teacher of King Solomon High School. The Yavneh Schools governors have also opened a primary school on the Hillside Avenue campuses.

Earlier schools

Since the 1780s, a private school has been located in Elstree.
Elstree School, a boys' preparatory school, was located in Elstree from 1848 until 1938 before moving to Woolhampton, Berkshire before the outbreak of the Second World War.
Hillside School was located in Elstree between 1874 and 1886, before eventually becoming Dorset House School in 1905,.

Recreation

Sport

Elstree Cricket Club was formed in 1878, but no longer play in the Herts Saracens League. 18-hole Radlett Park Golf Club was founded in 1984, having recently being renamed from Elstree Golf & Country Club. It is closer to Elstree than Radlett.
Hatch End Cricket Club also play in Elstree. They participate in the Herts Saracens League.

Leisure

Section 15 of the London Outer Orbital Path goes through Elstree, before continuing as Section 16, a 10-mile walk from Elstree to Cockfosters.

Synagogues

Elstree was home to Ohr Yisrael Synagogue, an Orthodox synagogue with affiliation to the Federation of Synagogues. However, the synagogue's present location is just within Borehamwood. The village currently sports two synagogues: The Shtiebel, an ultra-orthodox synagogue, and The Liberal Synagogue Elstree, just south of St. Nicholas' Church. According to census data, Elstree's population, including the Deacon's Hill area, was 36.0% Jewish, making it the only settlement with a Jewish plurality in the UK. There are also two United Synagogue shuls in the area. One is on Croxdale Road and the other is at Yavneh College, Borehamwood.

Parks

is both a recreational facility and a breeding centre for rare livestock. Section 15 of the London Loop walk passes by. In 1873, nearby Tykes Water stream was dammed to create Tykes Water Lake. Tykes Water Bridge features in the open credits to the Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee film, Dracula A.D. 1972, and used in several episodes of the Diana Rigg and Linda Thorson seasons of The Avengers, including the final Thorson opening titles.
It also features in the film Mosquito Squadron.

Elstree Reservoir

The dam was built in 1795 by French prisoners of war. English watercolour landscape painter John Hassell writes:
In 1886, the Photographic Society of Great Britain featured an exhibition of photos of Elstree Reservoir by Edgar Clifton. During World War I, then Major Keith Caldwell with No. 74 Squadron RAF, used Elstree Reservoir for target practice. In 1918, one of the pilots accidentally killed a local resident when his machine gun misfired.

Murders

Martha Ray murder

In 1779, Martha Ray, 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.

The Elstree murder of William Weare

In 1823, Elstree became notorious for the Elstree murder of William Weare, killed in Radlett and the body disposed of in a pond in Elstree by John Thurtell. The incident was recalled by Charles Dickens in his Weekly Journal. An inquest of the deceased was held on 31 October by county coroner Benjamin Rooke at the local Artichoke public house. He was likewise buried at the Parish Church.

The Elstree murder of Eliza Ebborn

On 17 August 1882, Eliza Ebborn of Watford was murdered by 24-year-old shoemaker George Stratton, who was subsequently sentenced to death. She was buried at Elstree Parish Church.

Administrative districts

Elstree used to be divided between the counties of Hertfordshire and Middlesex. The north part lay in the Hundred of Cashio, also known as the Liberty of St Albans, while the south part lay in the Hundred of Gore. The county boundary ran along the road from Watford to Barnet, now called Barnet Lane.

Elstree Rural District

From 1941 to 1974, Elstree Rural District was the local government area, before being abolished and merged with Hertsmere. On 20 March 1957, Armorial Bearings were granted. The arms and crest are described as follows:

Clubs, societies and organisations

Elstree and Borehamwood History Society
Elstree, Borehamwood & Radlett mencap Society
Elstree Golf & Country Club

In popular culture

Elstree is replicated as a part of one of three maps is based in the game Urban Dead. The "Borehamwood" map was released as part of the promotional campaign for the release of British writer Charlie Brooker's Dead Set.
"Elstree" is also the title of a song about the film studio by the Buggles on their 1979 album The Age of Plastic.
St. Nicholas Church in Elstree featured in an investigation of paranormal investigation.

Notable residents

John Baxter, film director and producer, lived at Aldahvu, Elstree
Ephraim Beauchamp Baronet and lord of the Manor of Boreham in the parish of Elstree.
Gerry Blattner, film producer and studio executive, lived at The Chantry, Barnet Lane, Elstree in the 1960s.
Ludwig Blattner, film producer and studio owner, lived in Elstree from about 1928 until his suicide at Elstree Golf & Country Club.
John Boyle, Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork, Rector of Elstree.
Ralph Terence St John-Brooks, bacteriologist, was stationed at the Lister Institute's National Collection of Type Cultures.
Francis Burton M.D., uncle of Richard Francis Burton, military surgeon who made Napoleon's Death Mask, lived at Barham House, and is buried in Elstree parish church.
Richard Francis Burton, explorer who lived at Barham House in Elstree when he was a child.
George Byng, Esq. M.P. for Middlesex, resident of Elstree Manor.
Rev. Philip Caraman, Jesuit, lived at The Grange on the corner of Allum Lane and Deacons Hill Road.
Hussein Chalayan, fashion designer was brought up in The Rise
Tom Chatto, actor, brought up in Elstree.
Dame Harriette Chick, nutritionist, tested and bottled tetanus antitoxin for the army in 1915.
Muzio Clementi, pianist, composer and businessman. He resided in Elstree from 1823 to 1828.
Joan Collins, actress and author, lived in Barnet Lane, while married to Anthony Newley, singer, actor and film composer.
Samuel Tertius Cowan, bacteriologist, curator of the National Collection of Type Cultures at the Lister Institute.
Simon Cowell, the American Idol and X Factor (UK)|X Factor] judge, was brought up in Elstree.
Sir (Arthur) Trevor Dawson, first baronet, armaments manufacturer, lived at Edgewarebury House.
Colonel John Drinkwater, the historian of the Siege of Gibraltar, had his family seat at Palmer's Lodge,
Anthony Denny, Esq, resident of the Manor of Elstree.
Sir Edward Denny composer, resident of Manor of Elstree.
James Elphinston Scottish educator, moved to Elstree in 1792.
Percy Everett, became the first Scoutmaster of the 1st Elstree Scout group on 13 March 1908, was Deputy Chief Scout for Great Britain, and lived at Schopwick Place in Elstree.
Andrew Feldman, Conservative politician appointed to the Lords, known as Baron Feldman of Elstree.
Cecil Ford cricketer, was born in Elstree.
Vicary Gibbs, genealogist and gardener, lived at Aldenham House.
Lew Grade, TV producer given a life peerage, was known as Baron Grade of Elstree.
Thomas Greenwood, public libraries promoter, died at Frith Knowl, Elstree.
James Hackman, murderer of Martha Ray, was buried in Elstree Parish Church.
Sir Harry Hague, managing director of A. Wander Ltd, the company who made Ovaltine, lived at The Chantry, Barnet Lane, Elstree.
David Willis Wilson Henderson, immunologist, worked at the Lister Institute.
Thomas Knox, 2nd Earl of Ranfurly M.P. Member of Parliament resided at Barham House, Elstree.
Stanley Kubrick, film director. Lived on Barnet Lane.
Sir John Charles Grant Ledingham, bacteriologist, worked at the Lister Institute.
Paul Lester, music journalist.
Ian Livingston, chief executive officer of BT Group.
William Macready, actor, lived at Elm Place, Elstree.
John Henry Marks General Practitioner and Chairman of the British Medical Association, lived on Barnet Lane.
Archer John Porter Martin, Nobel Prize winning biochemist, worked at the Lister Institute, and lived at Abbotsbury on Barnet Lane.
Walter Thomas James Morgan, biochemist. worked at the Lister Institute.
Air Vice-Marshal Sir David Munro, K.C.B., C.I.E., LL.D., M.B., F.R.C.S.Ed.
Anna Neagle and her film director husband Herbert Wilcox lived at the junction of Deacons Hill Road and Barnet Lane during her years as a film star.
Richard Tauber, tenor, and his actress-wife Diana Napier lived at the Villa Capri from 1936 to 1940. It was later demolished to form a new residential development, called Tauber Close.
Frank Podmore author and founding member of the Fabian Society was born in Elstree.
Martha Ray, singer murdered by James Hackman, buried in Elstree Parish Church.
Horatio Sharpe, army officer and Proprietary Governor of Maryland, buried at Elstree Parish Church.
Winston Smith, spaniel dog breeder.
Henry Hurd Swinnerton, zoologist and geologist, lived and died at the Headmaster's House, Haberdashers' Aske's School.
James Booker Blakemore Wellington photographer, died in Elstree in 1939.
James West, Esq. MP for St Albans, resident of Elstree Manor.
Jeremiah White, nonconformist minister, preached at Elstree in 1669.

Climate

Books

Richard Riding and Grant Peerless, Elstree Aerodrome: The Past in Pictures, The History Press Ltd,,, 192 pages.
Robert Bard, Elstree and Borehamwood Past, Publisher: Phillimore & Company, Limited, 2006,,, 128 pages
Stephen A. Castle, William Brooks, The Book of Elstree & Boreham Wood, Publisher: Barracuda Press, 1988,,, 136 pages
G. R. T. Eales, A Lecture on the history of Elstree, Publisher: Scott, Greenwood & Son, 1922
Anthony Frewin, John Mansbridge, Elstree & Boreham Wood through two thousand years, Publisher: Ann and Lionel Leventhal, 1974,,, 47 pages.
Paul Welsh, Elstree and Borehamwood in Old Picture Postcards,,, 80 pages.
J. Roy Avery, The Elstree murder, Publisher: Haberdasher's Aske's School, 1963, 19 pages.
Thomas Burke, Murder at Elstree: or, Mr. Thurtell and his gig, Publisher: Longmans, Green and co., 1936, 177 pages
Elstree Rural District: official guide, Forward Publicity Limited, Edition 9, illustrated, Publisher: Home Pub., 1972.,. 72 pages.
William Hawtayne, A sermon preach'd at Elstree in Hertfordshire, on the twentieth of January 1714. Mr. Hawtayne's thanksgiving-sermon on 20 January 1714. Printed for Tim Goodwin. 20 pages.
Franklyn de Winton Lushington, Sermons to young boys delivered at Elstree school, Publ. 1898. Republished Kessinger Publishing LLC 2010.,.
The first register book of the parish church of Elstree, 1655–1757, Translated by Arthur R. T. Eales, publisher: pr.by Coombes, 1914, 76 pages.
I. C. M. Sanderson, A history of Elstree School and three generations of the Sanderson family, Publisher Elstree School, 1978.
John Hill, Hertfordshire Militia Lists: Elstree & Shenley, Issue ML 102 of Militia Series, Publ. Hertfordshire Family & Population History Society, 2000,,, 13 pages
An Illustrated Guide to the Elstree Country Club, Elstree, Herts, publ. Elstree Country Club, 1950, 12 pages.. Retrieved 22 September 2011.

Journals

"Medieval Pottery From Elstree, Otterspool & Prehsi", Academic Journal Offprint From St. Albans Architectural And Archaeological Society Transactions
Renn, Derek F, "Further finds of medieval pottery from Elstree: with a survey of unglazed thumb-pressed jugs", Hertfordshire Archaeology 1968, pp. 124–7
Stephen Castle and Michael Hammerons, "Excavations Elstree, Middlesex, 1974-6". At Archaeology Data Service Website. Retrieved 22 September 2011