Watford Gap and the small village of Watford in Northamptonshire, is the traditional crossing point on the old east-west coaching route across England. Here, a natural gap in the hills affords the easiest route between the Midlands and South East England, as well as linking to the important north-south route provided by Watling Street. An important coaching inn was located here, and the building still stands, named as the Watford Gap pub. As of 2000, this was closed for business, and in need of renovation. Watford is a village in the Daventry district of the county of Northamptonshire in England. ... Northamptonshire (abbreviated Northants or Nhants) is a landlocked county in central England with a population of 629,676 (2001 census). ... Stagecoach in Switzerland A stagecoach is a type of four-wheeled enclosed passenger and/or mail coach, strongly sprung and drawn by four horses, widely used before the introduction of railway transport. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The modern Watling Street crossing the Medway at Rochester near the Roman and Celt crossings 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 cities of Canterbury and St Albans. ... In the United Kingdom, from approximately the mid-seventeenth century for a period of about 200 years, the Coaching Inn was a vital part of the inland transport infrastructure. ...

The West Coast Main Line and M1 motorway passing though Watford Gap

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 UK. Many modern communication routes pass through this narrow gap in addition to the Roman Watling Street (A5) — the M1, the West Coast Main Line railway, and the Grand Union Canal with its Watford Locks. Engineers throughout history from the Romans onwards have found this to be the most natural route through this region. Download high resolution version (1000x557, 291 KB)A Virgin trains Pendolino running on the West Coast Main Line alongside the M1 motorway near Daventry in Northamptonshire, England. ... Download high resolution version (1000x557, 291 KB)A Virgin trains Pendolino running on the West Coast Main Line alongside the M1 motorway near Daventry in Northamptonshire, England. ... Watford Gap service station is a motorway service station situated off the M1 motorway, near Watford Gap, in Northamptonshire, England. ... The M1 motorway heading south towards junction 37 at Barnsley, South Yorkshire. ... A motorway service station is a place where drivers can leave a motorway to refuel, rest, or take refreshement. ... The A5 is a major road in the United Kingdom. ... The WCML running alongside the M1 motorway at Watford Gap in Northamptonshire A Virgin Pendolino and freight train on the WCML The West Coast Main Line (WCML) is one of the most important intercity railway lines in the United Kingdom, part of the British railway system. ... The canal at Braunston The Grand Union Canal is a canal in England and part of the British canal system. ... The 4-lock staircase, part of Watford Locks on the Grand Union Canal Watford Locks are seven locks on the Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal, close to the village of Watford in Northamptonshire, famous for the Watford Gap service area. ...

The village is often mistaken for the much larger town of Watford in Hertfordshire, about 81 km (50.5 miles) to the south. Watford is a town and district in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, situated 34 km (21 miles) northwest of London and within the bounds of the M25 motorway. ... For the similarly named county in the West Midlands region, see Herefordshire. ...

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. The implication is that there is neither culture nor sophistication "North of the Watford Gap". Those living north of the Watford Gap claim that it is the point where humour, humility and humanity begin. Southerners respond by claiming that it is the line where well being, self respect and spirit end. Watford Gap service station is a motorway service station situated off the M1 motorway, near Watford Gap, in Northamptonshire, England. ... In the United Kingdom the term North-South divide refers to an economic and cultural divide between the relatively wealthy South East of England and the less affluent industrial areas of Scotland, Wales, Northern England and the Midlands of England. ...

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 road junction in London, United Kingdom, with two linked roundabouts, which connects the North Circular Road with the start of the M1 motorway. ...

Song

The Roy Harper song of the same name is discussed in the article Watford Gap services. Roy Harper (born June 12, 1941), is an English rock singer-songwriter / guitarist who specialises in folk music. ... Watford Gap service station (Northbound) Watford Gap services is a motorway service area situated between junctions 16 and 17 of the M1 motorway, near Watford Gap, in Northamptonshire, England. ...

External links

• Map sources for Watford Gap Public House
• Map sources for Watford Gap Services