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"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". Northerners and Midlanders also consider the Watford Gap to be the border between the south and "The best bits of England".

Margaret Thatcher stated that Corby?the first large town north of the Watford gap?was the "gateway to the North".[2]

However, it has since become more popular to use the phrase "north of Watford", referring to the larger and unconnected town of Watford, Hertfordshire nearer to London. The reason for this change is potentially 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; or possibly due to many people being ignorant of the existence of Watford Gap and are familiar only with the larger town of Watford."

You come under the latter category then.

Posted By: Tricky Hawes, Oct 19, 11:48:35