7 ways to say you’re from Hertfordshire without actually saying you’re from Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire is home to beautiful countrysides, historic estates and famous faces.

Even if you have never stepped foot in the county in your life, you may well know that we’re home to the Harry Potter studios, sporting heroes Laura Kenny and Anthony Joshua, and iconic scenery perfect for period dramas.

But there are some things that only a true local would know about Hertfordshire.

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Whether you pronounce the names of some of our oddly-spelt towns correctly the first time or you can navigate our most complicated roundabout, we’re pretty sure you’re a local.

Here’s seven ways to say you’re from Hertfordshire, without actually saying you’re from Hertfordshire:

You pronounce Welwyn correctly

Welwyn Garden City town centre

For those of us who live in Hertfordshire, Welwyn just rolls off the tongue.

It’s pronounced Weh-lin, not Well-win. It’s one of many Hertfordshire towns that people just can’t seem to pronounce.

If you can pronounce Hoddesdon, Baldock and Cheshunt with ease, people will be able to tell that you are clearly local to Herts.

You know how to navigate the Magic Roundabout

The Magic Roundabout shortly after opening - with a handful of cars on the wrong side of the road

The Magic Roundabout shortly after opening – with a handful of cars on the wrong side of the road

If you have ever dared to venture onto the Magic Roundabout in Hemel Hempstead, you will know that it is enough to put the fear of God into any driver new to Hertfordshire.

So if you spot a driver who is taking the roundabout without breaking the slightest sweat, it’s highly likely that they’ve lived in Herts for some time.

You get your bread at Simmons Bakers

Simmons Bakers, Hitchin

Simmons Bakers, Hitchin

Simmons Bakers is pretty much everywhere in Herts. It’s such a common bakery here that you might be forgiven for thinking the chain is all over the country.

But in fact, Simmons is a Hertfordshire-based independent bakery. They don’t exist elsewhere in the country, so if Simmons is your local, you’ve got to be from Herts.

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You say you live just outside of London

We’ve all done it. People ask where you’re from and you just know they’ll never have heard of Hertfordshire, so you’ll tell them you’re from somewhere just outside of London.

You might regret saying it later – after all, you’re proud to be from Hertfordshire. But we couldn’t blame you for taking the easy way out and opting to say you’re essentially from the capital.

You’ve been to the Harry Potter studios (multiple times)

0 Coronavirus Thu Aug 20 2020

The Warner Bros. Studio Tour, Leavesden

Who says nothing happens in Herts? Our county is home to one of the highest-grossing film franchises of a generation.

Harry Potter was mainly filmed at the Leavesden Studios, just outside of Watford, which later became the Warner Bros. Studios. Those of us from the area remember when it was a much smaller complex, and they grew daffodils to spell out the name of the studios.

It’s now a huge tourist attraction, with people coming from around the world to visit the Harry Potter Studio Tour. If you’re from Herts, you’ve probably been at least once (and maybe multiple times).

You’re always stunned that they advertise the attraction as being in London. As we’ve already established, we’re not London and we’re proud to be Herts.

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When you say you’re from Ware, others will say: “Where?”

Ware town centre

Ware town centre

It’s a running inside joke in Hertfordshire. You say: “I’m from Ware.” Someone will reply: “Where?” The joke, truly, never gets old.

You follow HertsLive on social media

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https://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/news/hertfordshire-news/say-hertfordshire-without-saying-hertfordshire-6174530

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