Eastenders 40: Walford’s Secrets Unveiled in Borehamwood
The Elstree and Borehamwood Museum, a small, volunteer-run venue, hosts a captivating exhibition celebrating 40 years of the iconic BBC soap opera, Eastenders. Located just beyond London’s boundary, mere metres from where the show is filmed, this free-entry exhibition manages to pack a wealth of interactive and nostalgic displays into its single room, making it surprisingly engaging for both dedicated fans and casual visitors, including young children who may never have watched the show.
A key highlight is the interactive recreation of the Queen Vic pub, where visitors can pretend to pull a pint, perhaps donning a mask of Barbara Windsor. Another popular feature is Beale’s market stall, allowing kids to play greengrocer with plastic produce and real potatoes. The exhibition also includes an automaton machine that plays the Eastenders theme tune, adding to the immersive experience. For those interested in the show’s darker elements, a cabinet displays “unlikely weapons” used in various storylines, such as a sharp-pronged meat thermometer, a carriage clock, and candlesticks, alongside the bust of Queen Victoria famously used to bludgeon Archie Mitchell.
Beyond these interactive and macabre displays, fans can admire authentic props and costumes, including Dot Cotton’s coat and Pat Butcher’s earrings. A particularly quirky exhibit is the map of Walford, which, while featuring familiar landmarks like Albert Square and Walford East Tube station, becomes geographically nonsensical further out, with roads appearing multiple times and illogical junctions – a detail noted with amusement.
While small and situated outside central London, the exhibition offers significant benefits, being free, kid-friendly, and a testament to the local area’s strong connection to the show. Its main limitation is its location, making it primarily a worthwhile trip for serious Eastenders enthusiasts if traveling from afar, though highly recommended for locals, regardless of their viewing habits. Visitors also receive a free beer mat. The museum’s efforts precede plans for a larger “immersive experience” celebrating Borehamwood’s broader film legacy, which includes productions like Star Wars and Indiana Jones.
