- This article is about Watford Gap and village. For the larger town 80 km (50 miles) south, see Watford, Hertfordshire. Watford (ˈwɒtfəd) is a town and district in Hertfordshire, England, situated 19 miles (30 km northwest of London Hertfordshire (ˈhɑːtfədʃə(r, abbreviated Herts) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of
The Watford Gap is located at a natural break in the hills, in the county of Northamptonshire, England. The West Coast Main Line (WCML is a busy mixed-traffic railway route in the United Kingdom. The M1 is a major south – north Motorway in England primarily connecting London to Leeds, where Northamptonshire (or archaically the County of Northampton; abbreviated Northants England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Engineers since the Romans onwards have found it to be a natural route connecting the English Midlands with the South East. This article is mainly about the English Midlands For other uses see Midlands (disambiguation.
In a width of 400 metres (0. 25 mi) the A5 road, Grand Union Canal, West Coast Main Line railway and M1 motorway all transverse the gap in parallel. The Grand Union Canal in England is part of the British canal system. The West Coast Main Line (WCML is a busy mixed-traffic railway route in the United Kingdom. The M1 is a major south – north Motorway in England primarily connecting London to Leeds, where
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Focal point
The easiest route between the London and Birmingham areas passes through or close to the small village of Watford in Northamptonshire. Watford is a village and Civil parish in the Daventry district of the county of Northamptonshire in England. Northamptonshire (or archaically the County of Northampton; abbreviated Northants The first of the routes, the Watling Street Roman road is an important north-south route constructed in the era of the Romans. Watling Street is the name given to an Ancient trackway in England and Wales that was first used by the Celts mainly between the modern This is now the A5 trunk route.
Later the road was joined by Grand Union Canal, the main waterway link between London and Birmingham. The Grand Union Canal in England is part of the British canal system. The Leicester Arm branch of the canal forks off from the Main Line and passes down the Watford Locks/staircase just to the north. Watford Locks ( is a group of seven locks on the Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal, close to the village of Watford in Northamptonshire,
The geographic importance of the area has led to many modern communication routes passing through this narrow gap; the coming of the railways brought the West Coast Main Line linking London to Birmingham and on to Glasgow. The West Coast Main Line (WCML is a busy mixed-traffic railway route in the United Kingdom. The most recent addition, in 1959, was Britain's first inter-urban motorway linking London and Yorkshire; and the first motorway service station. Motorway is a term for both a type of Road and a classification or designation
However, although the modern view of Watford Gap is that it is a border between North and South, the actual topography indicates that it is a border between East and West. A tributary of the River Nene rises at Watford and flows east, whereas at Kilsby a tributary of the River Leam rises and flows west, joining the River Avon at Royal Leamington Spa.
Stagecoach route
Historically, this was the traditional crossing point on the old east-west stagecoach route across England. For other meanings see Stagecoach (disambiguation. A stagecoach (also called diligence) is a type of four-wheeled enclosed England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland An important coaching inn, named as The Watford Gap was located in the area. This article is about coaching inns in general for individual inns see Stagecoach Inn (Disambiguation In Europe, from approximately the mid 17th
The pub, and the route from Cambridge to Coventry, are mentioned as early as 1769 [1]. The city of Cambridge (ˈkeɪmbrɪdʒ is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England Coventry ( is a city and Metropolitan borough in the County of West Midlands in England. This route ran through Northampton, Duston, Harlstone, past Althorp Park, Brington, Long Buckby, Watford, Watford Gap itself - the map indicating that the coaching inn was on the west side of Watling Street, and then into Kilsby. This article is about Northampton in England for other places of the same name see Northampton (disambiguation Northampton ( is a large Market See also Althorpe, Lincolnshire. Althorp (ˈɔltrʌp is a country estate and Stately home in Northamptonshire, Long Buckby is a Village and Civil parish in Northamptonshire, England, situated midway between Northampton and Rugby. Watling Street is the name given to an Ancient trackway in England and Wales that was first used by the Celts mainly between the modern Kilsby is a Village and Civil parish in the Daventry district of Northamptonshire, England situated approximately five miles south-east The route from Watford Gap to Kilsby is now part of the diverted A5 following construction of the M1.
The location of the Watford Gap coaching inn is the subject of some confusion, with the most recent location, on the east side of the Grand Junction canal within the confines of the modern service station, being the most cited. That is in a very similar location to the disused Welton Station and there is no mention of a Watford Gap pub, or indeed any pub at the suggested location on the 1889 or 1927 or 1952 Ordnance survey maps of Northamptonshire. The nearest pub being the Stags Head Inn on Station Road, Watford.
However, the original location is further north on Watling Street and is clearly shown on the 1889, 1927 and 1952 maps. Watling Street is the name given to an Ancient trackway in England and Wales that was first used by the Celts mainly between the modern It is at latitude 52°19'26. 33"N and longtitude 1° 8'32. 58"W.
The canal side building still stands but as of 2000 has closed for business and is in need of renovation. The earlier Watford Gap is also still standing and is in a good state of repair, and is generally unaltered with the stabling yards and main structures used as farm buildings, it can be easily viewed from the road, there is a parking layby on the southbound side of Watling Street
Motorway impact
Nowadays, the village lends its name to the nearby Watford Gap service station on the M1 motorway which was the first motorway service station in the United Kingdom. Watford Gap services is a motorway service area situated between junctions 16 and 17 of the M1 motorway, near Watford Gap, in Northamptonshire Watford Gap services is a motorway service area situated between junctions 16 and 17 of the M1 motorway, near Watford Gap, in Northamptonshire The M1 is a major south – north Motorway in England primarily connecting London to Leeds, where Motorway is a term for both a type of Road and a classification or designation
Popular use
Whilst driving on the M1 the services are unofficially, and sometimes comically, known by residents of London and southeastern England as the point where the north/south divide occurs. Watford Gap services is a motorway service area situated between junctions 16 and 17 of the M1 motorway, near Watford Gap, in Northamptonshire In Great Britain the term North-South divide refers to the Economic and Cultural differences between southern England the South East, The implication is that there is neither culture nor sophistication "North of the Watford Gap". Those living south of the Watford Gap claim that it is the point where well being, self respect and spirit begin. Northerners respond by claiming that it is the line where humour, humility and humanity end.
However, it has since become more popular to use the phrase "north of Watford", referring to the larger town. The reason for this change is probably due to the signs at Staples Corner, where the M1 begins, reading simply "M1, Watford, The North" thus potentially implying that Watford is the last place in the South. Staples Corner is a major road junction in London, United Kingdom.
Song
Roy Harper wrote a song named after the area. For the comic book character see Roy Harper (comics Roy Harper (born June 12, 1941) is an English The song Anfield Rap released by Liverpool FC references The Gap. Liverpool Football Club are an English professional Association football club based in Liverpool England.
References
- ^ http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~genmaps//genfiles/COU_files/ENG/NTH/unimag_cam-cov-roads_1769.html
External links
- Map sources for Watford Gap Public House
- Map sources for Watford Gap Services
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