2006-09-15 20:53:12 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ United Kingdom ➔ London
There is a small village called Watford in Northamptonshire, after which the servcie station is named. The reason why it is called 'Gap' is because it was originally built, there was a gap between resting spots/station on the motorway which this service station filled.
2006-09-16 02:13:16 · answer #1 · answered by Penfold 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I live in Watford Village. The term 'Watford Gap' came about hundreds of years ago and relates to the gap in the hills close to the village of Watford in Northamptonshire. The Romans made use of this natural gap when building the major road of Watling Street (now the A5) and in later years it was the main cross-over point for the North/South and East/West divide for the coaching routes. Even later on the Grand Union Canal and the main westcoast railway line were built through here. In 1959 the M1 motorway was built - again taking advantage of the gap in the hills and today most people know of the Watford Gap because of the motorway services of the same name. However, the real Watford Gap is about a mile north of the services on the old Watling Street to the west of the village of Watford. Try www.watfordvillage.weebly.com for more info.
2014-02-27 02:38:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the services are in a little village called Watford (not the big watford town down south) Watford in Northamptonshire. Dont know why they put GAP on the end of it though.
2006-09-19 12:13:50 · answer #3 · answered by EyasOo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the services are in a little village called Watford (not the big watford town down south) Watford in Northamptonshire. Dont know why they put GAP on the end of it though.
2006-09-15 21:00:53 · answer #4 · answered by 90210 aka Hummer Lover 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Watford Gap is the first service station built on British motorways. It lies near Watford, a small village near Daventry which is situated in a low gap in the Northampton uplands.
2006-09-15 21:25:37 · answer #5 · answered by migelito 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This was on telly a few years ago, we found it an interesting piece of info!
When they were building the M1, the first Motorway, (which by the way went as far as Crick in the Midlands), they built some of it starting at the London end and some of it starting at the northern end. The idea was that they would meet at the place that has become known as Watford Gap. When they eventually met, they were about three inches off course!
2006-09-16 05:22:19 · answer #6 · answered by used to live in Wales 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, it look likes there's a small village called Watford near by. See the link:
2006-09-15 20:58:28 · answer #7 · answered by Felidae 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because its a gap in Watford?!
2006-09-15 20:55:25 · answer #8 · answered by lizarddd 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Beacause, if you look at the natural geography of where watford lies, there is a natural Gap.
2006-09-15 21:18:33 · answer #9 · answered by j man 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Gap between North and South.
2006-09-15 21:22:39 · answer #10 · answered by brogdenuk 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋