Chorleywood the Local Government Act 1894 created districts as subdivisions of the newly created county councils, Chorleywood became part of the Watford Rural District, which encircled Watford. In 1913, the town was separated from Watford Rural District to become Chorleywood Urban District. In the early 1960s, researchers at the British Baking Industries Research Association in Chorleywood improved upon an earlier American bread-making process. This resulted in the Chorleywood Bread Process which is now used in over 80% of commercial bread production throughout the UK. In the 1973 BBC Television documentary, "Metro-land", Sir John Betjeman described Chorleywood as "essential Metro-land". In 1974,
Chorleywood House Estate the upper storeys. When Chorleywood UDC devolved to become Three Rivers DC in 1974 the mansion was entirely converted into flats which are now leased privately. The grounds remain a public open space. John Barnes (1791-1866) built Chorleywood House in 1822. John was born in England in 1791. In 1824 he married Sarah Medley (1803-1872) who was the daughter of Charles Medley a partner in the banking firm Barnes and Medley. John also became a banker in this firm and became extremely wealthy. He was also for some time a Director of the Union Bank of London and of the