Watford is a vibrant town with a diverse range of activities for families and visitors.
But not everyone knows about what is on offer in the town - which is why Visit Watford was set up in July this year.
The destination marketing organisation helps aims to promote Watford as an attractive place for visitors and to keep people in the town for longer.
It works with Watford Borough Council, Watford FC, The Grove, Warner Bros and Watford Junction.
Visit Watford destination manager Andrew Kirby said: “One of the things we stress is that ‘we will surprise you’, people who have been to the town before may not recognise what it looks like now.
Watford during the Christmas lights switch-on. Photo: UGC
“It is a completely different place than to what it was ten years ago.
"There is a variety of things people can do rather than just shop for a couple hours.”
As part of its work, Visit Watford has shared five of the best hidden gem attractions:
1. Cassiobury Farm
Rousebarn Lane, Croxley Green, WD3 3GG
The farm and fishery is a rare breeds centre on the edge of Cassiobury Park.
It is home to micro pigs, miniature donkeys and horses, alpacas, Japanese quail and anglo-nubian goat.
It also has a kitchen and herb garden and fishing lakes.
To get to the farm and fishery, you can park at Cassiobury Park car park and then walk through Cassiobury Park in Langley Way.
2. Cheslyn House and Gardens
Nascot Wood Rd, Watford WD17 4SL
Cheslyn House and Gardens is a Green Flag Award winner and is 3.5 acres of space and has a pond, bird aviary and rock garden.
Designed by architect Henry Colbeck and his wife Daisy, it has a collection of exotic plants which the couple collected while travelling the world.
The house and gardens are open all year round apart from Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
From November to February, they are open 9am to 4pm, March to October 9am to 6pm and April to September 9am to 8pm.
Dogs on leads are allowed in the gardens.
You can travel there by the R8 and 318 by bus. There is a small car park and limited roadside parking.
Wheelchair access is limited in the natural woodland area in the back of the site.
3. Breakout Rooms
101a High St, Watford WD17 2DQ
Breakout Rooms is the first and only escape room in the town.
You can have two to six people in a game and there are a range of different scenarios and puzzles.
Your group will have an hour to breakout of the room.
Some of the games include The Lost City, Exorcism, Blackbeard's Quest, and Spy Games.
Located near M&S and Bill's Restaurant in High Street, Breakout Rooms is open seven days a week, from Monday to Friday at 2pm to 11pm and Saturday to Sunday at 11am to 11pm.
4. The LP Café
173 The Parade, Watford WD17 1NJ
The independent café on The Parade opened in 2013 and has since hosted events ranging from live music, film screenings, stand up comedy, art and photography exhibitions and second-hand clothes sales.
It offers a breakfast menu including avocado on toast and pastries. It also has a lunch menu with vegan and vegetarian options.
It is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm and on Sunday from 11am to 5pm.
5. West Herts Golf Club
Rousebarn Ln, Croxley Green, Watford, Rickmansworth WD3 3GG
This is one of oldest golf clubs in the county and was established in 1890 and offers membership to women and children.
The club, with an 18-hole course surrounded by woodland, is a ten-minute drive from Watford Junction.
It also offers afternoon tea most days between 1.30pm and 4pm but customers must book in advance.
The club also hosts open competitions for juniors, men and women.
Visit Watford has also shared a list of events in December:
Rob Beckett
The comedian, who has appeared on shows such as Channel 4’s 8 out of 10 Cats and BBC One’s Live At The Apollo and Would I Lie To You? - will be holding a gig in Watford.
When: Sunday, December 8, 8pm
Where: Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Rd, WD17 3JN
Tickets: £27. Tickets can be booked online
The Nutcracker
The Bolshoi stage shares its majestic vision of Hoffman’s tale.
When: Sunday, December 15, 3pm
Where: Watford Palace Theatre, 20 Clarendon Road, WD17 1JZ
Tickets: £15.50. Tickets can be booked online
One Man, Two Guvnors
The show returns to cinemas to mark National Theatre Live’s 10th birthday. Fired from his skiffle band, Francis Henshall becomes minder to Roscoe Crabbe, a small time East End hood, now in Brighton to collect £6,000 from his fiancée’s dad. But Roscoe is really his sister Rachel posing as her own dead brother, who’s been killed by her boyfriend Stanley Stubbers.
When: Sunday, December 15, 7pm
Where: Watford Palace Theatre, 20 Clarendon Road, WD17 1JZ
Tickets: £15.50. Tickets can be booked online
A Christmas Fantasy
The London Film Music Orchestra will play music from Disney films such as the Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Frozen, Aladdin, Anastasia, Pocahontas and The Jungle Book.
When: Tuesday, December 17, 6.30pm
Where: Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Rd, WD17 3JN
Tickets: From £21 for adults. Tickets can be booked online
For more information, go to visitwatford.com
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