The essential guide to the best places to shop, eat and relax in Watford. Find the best restaurants, cinemas and nightlife spots along with general need-to-know information including shopping hours and going out tips.

Grown-up shopping and kids' play at the Harlequin, handicrafts and gifts from the High Street

Harlequin Shopping Centre has more than 140 stores and all the big high-street names. In addition to Boots and John Lewis, there is Marks & Spencer, Next, Morgan and Monsoon along with the teenage-magnet shops of Topshop and Miss Selfridge. Hassled parents take note - the Harlequin runs a supervised playgroup for kids aged three to eight.

One end of the Harlequin is Charter Place inside which is Watford Market. It sells fruit, vegetables, jewellery, clothes and gifts.

The High Street has charity shops, Woolworths and a number of independently run craft and gift shops.

Shopping hours are 9am-6pm Monday to Saturday. The Harlequin opens 10am-5pm on Sunday. Disabled shoppers can hire electric-powered wheelchairs from Shopmobility Watford, located at 1 Church Street.

West-End-style plays at Edwardian Palace Theatre, classy nights at the Area

The Edwardian Palace Theatre on Clarendon Road, is a respected fringe theatre which presents nine productions annually, many of which transfer to the West End, while Jongleurs welcomes the best from London's thriving stand-up scene. There is a Vue cinema and a bowling alley in the Woodside Leisure Park in Garston (a five-minute car ride from the city centre).

Watford's two major nightclubs - Area and Destiny - are both on The Parade. Old school (70s, 80s and 90s), R&B and garage music dominate the week nights, with Saturday nights attracting big name DJs. Destiny attracts the younger crowd, Area a more classy crew. Next door to Area is Baraka, an upmarket bar characterised by a Moroccan interior with DJ sessions at weekends.

Clubs are open until 3am Monday to Saturday. Pubs are subject to normal licensing hours and a cluster of big chain pubs can be found along The Parade. The most popular drinks are lager and spirits.

Watford's restaurants cluster in the Harlequin Centre, on the High Street and The Parade. All the usual suspects are here - Italian, Greek, Indian and Chinese restaurants - along with popular chains, such as McDonalds, Burger King, Pizza Hut and Pizza Express.

Expect to pay around £15 per head for a curry and up to £30-£40 per head for a three-course meal with wine in more upmarket places. Most restaurants open on Sundays.

The Raymond Blanc-trained chef at The Grove (a five-star hotel which opened in Sep 2003) creates sophisticated Modern British cuisine such as steamed sea-bass with scallops and passion fruit soufflé. Diners have lovely views over the Formal Gardens.

Hamburgers, pasta, pizza, salads, grilled steaks and chicken are all served in this child-friendly, American-style diner. Weekends are busiest, especially before or after a movie. A good choice for a quick meal.

Business Hours 9am-5pm Monday to Friday

Key Industries Printing, film industry and retail

Key Districts Printing (North Watford), Leavesden Studios (film) and city centre (retail)