Elstree

infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Elstree
civil_parish= Elstree & Borehamwood
latitude= 51.64
longitude= -0.30
population=
shire_district= Hertsmere
shire_county = Hertfordshire
region= East of England
constituency_westminster= Hertsmere
post_town= BOREHAMWOOD|postcode_district = WD6
postcode_area= WD |dial_code= 020
os_grid_reference= TQ175955

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 used interchangeably to a certain extent. 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.

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.

London Transports large Aldenham Bus Overhaul Works was sited on the edge of Elstree close to the A41, it was demolished in 1996 and is now a large business park.

chools

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.

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

External links

*' [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=43292&strquery=elstree Parishes: Elstree] ', A History of the County of Hertford: volume 2 (1908), pp. 349-51.
*' [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=45463&strquery=elstree Elstree] ', The Environs of London: volume 4: Counties of Herts, Essex & Kent (1796), pp. 24-8.
* [http://www.egtr.net/ Elstree Aerodrome]