What springs to mind when you think of Borehamwood and Elstree?

Everyone knows it is the home of Indiana Jones and Star Wars but are there things about the surrounding area you do not know?

We have compiled a list of 12 things you might not know about Borehamwood and Elstree...

1) In 2018, Elstree and Borehamwood train station will be celebrating 150 years since the railway reached the town, eventually allowing film production to begin in 1914

2) Simon Cowell once worked as a runner at Elstree Studios on productions including The Shining

Borehamwood Times: Simon Cowell owner of TV singing contest X Factor

3) Borehamwood is home to a number of football clubs including Boreham Wood FC, Arsenal Ladies and Watford FC Reserves, who all play at Meadow Park

4) Laura Ashley The Manor Hotel, in Barnet Lane, dates back to 1540 and was converted into a hotel in the 1960s. It has been used in many TV and film productions

5) Elstree has three murders associated with the town. Martha Ray was shot dead in 1779, Eliza Ebborn is buried in Elstree Parish Church after being murdered by a shoemaker in 1882 and the body of William Weare was dumped in a pond in 1823

6) Charles Dickens wrote about the death of Mr Weare in his weekly journal

Borehamwood Times: Based very loosely on Charles Dickens' novel

7) From 1941 to 1974 Elstree Rural District was the local authority, until it was abolished and merged within Hertsmere

8) When Queen Victoria died in 1901 the population of Borehamwood was around 1,323, but now there are more than 30,000 residents in Borehamwood

9) Opposite Elstree Studios is McDonald's. However it was converted from a Red Lion pub into the fast food chain. The pub was used by many staff working at the studios

Borehamwood Times:

10) In the 1930s there was supposed to be an extension of the Northern Line to the Elstree South tube station but this was never completed

11) The name 'Elstree' was lent to a series of steam ships originally built in the 19th Century. The Elstree Grange ships were rebuilt in 1916, 1944 and 1979. Some were also sunk during the Second World War

12) The UK headquarters of Pizza Hut is based at Imperial Place. Up until 2003 the head office of T-Mobile used to be based at there as well

Borehamwood Times:

Are there any facts you did not know? Comment below or email steven.brown@london.newsquest.co.uk