Watford Observer
Tue, 16 Jun 2026 08:52:50 +0100All trains cancelled on Watford Junction line - live updates
No services are running today between Watford Junction and St Albans Abbey after a train break down
Tue, 16 Jun 2026 06:00:00 +0100English Heritage's special Father's Day events...save on your visit
Treat Dad to a memorable day out at one of the many historic places across the country this Father’s Day.
Tue, 16 Jun 2026 05:30:00 +0100'Massive queue' as new Watford chicken shop opens with 100 free burgers
The launch of new chicken shop Hench Watford was met with a “massive” queue outside.
Mon, 15 Jun 2026 17:45:00 +0100Sniffer dog finds 7,780 illegal cigarettes hidden at two Watford shops
A sniffer dog has helped Trading Standards seize thousands of illicit cigarettes from two Watford shops, during a Hertfordshire-wide operation.
Mon, 15 Jun 2026 17:34:00 +0100Eight-year-old left seriously hurt as crash puts three in hospital
The collision, involving a white Mercedes Sprinter van and a black Kia Soul Max, happened yesterday (Sunday, June 14) just before 10am in Park Street Lane, at the junction with Lye Lane.
Mon, 15 Jun 2026 16:35:00 +0100The pub kitchen offering takeaway meals to keep authentic cooking affordable
Takeaway meals are now on offer directly from Real Thai Cooking at The Dome Bar as chefs aim to make authentic Thai cooking affordable.
Mon, 15 Jun 2026 16:27:00 +0100Care home 'at heart of village' told to improve amid CQC safety concerns
A care home in Kings Langley has been told it needs to improve after inspectors found it had not reported safeguarding concerns.
Mon, 15 Jun 2026 15:10:00 +0100Regularity of key Watford bus route to be halved during the day
The regularity of the 306 Watford to Borehamwood circular bus route is being halved during the day on weekdays.
Mon, 15 Jun 2026 13:56:00 +0100Popular burger chain to open new store in Watford
The chain started in Milton Keynes in 2020 and now has 18 sites, with the upcoming branch its third in Hertfordshire.
Mon, 15 Jun 2026 12:30:00 +0100Withering review of Bushey by TikTok influencer sparks debate
H2Hundred, known for his blunt walking-tour style videos reviewing towns across the UK, filmed himself wandering through Bushey town centre.
Mon, 15 Jun 2026 12:30:00 +0100Major planning decisions taken out of Dacorum council’s hands
Major planning decisions have been taken out of the hands of Dacorum Borough Council after the Government placed it into special measures today.
Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:45:00 +0100Motorcyclist 'seriously injured' in crash - police appeal launched
The incident involved a Honda CBR 650 motorbike and a Toyota Aygo on Saturday (June 13) around 3.22pm on Tolpits Lane.
Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:05:00 +0100Council loses control of major planning apps over 'quality of decision making'
Hertsmere Borough Council has lost control of major planning decisions after the Government assessed its “quality of decision making”.
Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:04:36 +0100Historic steam train wows crowds on journey through Hertfordshire
The historic Duke of Gloucester steam train wowed crowds as it made its way through Hertfordshire at the weekend.
Mon, 15 Jun 2026 09:48:56 +0100Harlequin Watford shop closing tomorrow amid administration
Harlequin Watford clothing store Quiz is set to close tomorrow, administrators have confirmed.
Mon, 15 Jun 2026 09:30:00 +0100M1, M25 and A1(M) works in Hertfordshire set as M25 facing closures each night
The latest list of M1, M25, and A1(M) closures have been set for Hertfordshire's stretches of motorway.
Mon, 15 Jun 2026 06:00:00 +0100Foodie gifts for Dad from Chefs for Foodies
Foodie gifts make the perfect choice for Father’s Day and gifting a culinary experience is sure to go down a treat with Dad.
Sun, 14 Jun 2026 18:00:00 +0100When the tech fails… and so does the shopping
Brett Ellis highlights how an IT failure exposed the lack of a Plan B, showing how reliance on technology can leave customers frustrated.
Sun, 14 Jun 2026 16:05:00 +0100Doorstep talks reveal frustration with Labour and Reform
Elected mayor of Watford Peter Taylor reflects on 1,000 doorstep conversations, highlighting frustration with Labour, concern over Reform UK and calls for growth.
Sun, 14 Jun 2026 13:00:00 +0100Watford Observer Camera Club photos celebrating summertime
Our amazing photographers have been out capturing summer fun – you can enjoy a selection by scrolling down on this page.
Sun, 14 Jun 2026 11:00:00 +0100Plans to build new four-bed house in Watford rejected
Plans for a new four-bedroom home in Watford have been rejected - following two similar plans for flats at the site also getting turned down.
Sun, 14 Jun 2026 09:25:57 +0100Hertfordshire shop assistant 'threatened with knife' and another injured in burglary
Candie Stop in the Broadway, Potters Bar was subject to an alleged knife-armed burglary with a shop assistant being injured.
Sun, 14 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +0100Best places in Hertfordshire to pick your own flowers named in new list
The best places to pick your own flowers in Hertfordshire have been named in a new Muddy Stilettos list - with one not far from Watford.
Sun, 14 Jun 2026 08:00:00 +0100Road closures and new synagogue among latest Watford-area public notices
The latest public notices for the Watford area include road closures and a proposed new synagogue in Bushey.
Sun, 14 Jun 2026 07:00:00 +0100Read the spectacular full Ofsted for Watford school 'firing on all cylinders'
The full Ofsted report for Watford Grammar School for Boys has been published.
Sun, 14 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0100Five-bedroom family home with high-end kitchen on the market for £1m
A five-bedroom detached family home on Braham Crescent in Leavesden, Watford, has hit the market for £1,000,000.
Sat, 13 Jun 2026 16:28:42 +0100Police growing 'increasingly concerned' for missing woman last seen near Watford
Police are appealing for the public’s help to find a woman who has gone missing from Hertfordshire.
Sat, 13 Jun 2026 13:00:00 +0100Four pubs in the Watford area with fantastic new beer gardens for summer
These four pubs in and around Watford have all recently unveiled new beer gardens.
Sat, 13 Jun 2026 11:00:00 +0100Village shop could be demolished for three-storey flats scheme
Plans have been submitted proposing to demolish a Bovingdon village shop and replace it with flats and a new ground-floor commercial unit.
Sat, 13 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +0100Plan to open new 64-child nursery amid 'deficit of places'
Plans to open a new 64-child nursery at The Cloisters Hall in Rickmansworth have been submitted amid a “deficit of places” in the area.
Sat, 13 Jun 2026 07:00:00 +0100The 'yummy' and 'fantastic' café in Hertfordshire with beautiful meals
Batch Fifty Two in Hertfordshire has been described as "yummy" and "fantastic".
Sat, 13 Jun 2026 05:00:00 +0100Discover the 'wonderful' garden centre tea room in Hertfordshire that's a 'gem'
Mill End Plants and Café has earned praise for its tea room, which guests are calling "wonderful".
Sat, 13 Jun 2026 05:00:00 +0100Inside Hertfordshire’s ‘awesome’ top-rated museum with its own flight simulator
De Havilland Aircraft Museum in London Colney is Hertfordshire's top-rated museum and has been called awesome.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 17:20:00 +0100Watford fare dodgers to pay more than £8,000 as 5 in court on one day
Five Watford fare dodgers have been ordered to pay a total of £8,056 at Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 17:15:00 +0100Fundraiser launched after Hertfordshire dad, 34, dies unexpectedly on holiday
Jonas McDowall, 34, from Hemel Hempstead, passed away suddenly on June 5, leaving behind his partner and their eight-year-old daughter.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:58:00 +0100Soft play centre where animals died in fire 'did not have licence' for mini zoo
The Jungle Box in Buntingford reportedly did not have a licence for the animals it was keeping on site before a fire killed all but one of them.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:55:00 +0100Man 'seriously injured' falling from window while fleeing police in High Street
A man fell to Watford High Street from a window while trying to flee police, leaving him hospitalised with "serious" injuries.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:00:00 +0100Watford Junction drop-off parking spaces reopen after months-long closure
Previously blocked short-stay parking spaces at Watford Junction station, in Woodford Road, have reopened.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 14:50:00 +0100Hertfordshire Police looking for two wanted burglars on recall to prison
Herts Police are looking for two men with links to Watford and other Hertfordshire areas who are wanted on recall to prison.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 14:20:00 +0100Damning nursery report finds 'chaotic' handovers and kids 'appearing forgotten'
Ofsted has published a damning report for Step By Step nursery in Bushey, which needs “urgent improvement” in all areas.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 13:58:00 +0100Men charged with 'aggravated burglary' after gun discovered in double raid
Officers carried out two search warrants - one in Hemel Hempstead and Tottenham, north London - in connection with the incident in Normansfield Close on May 12.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 12:32:00 +0100Hertfordshire cow sanctuary near Watford hailed 'must-visit' in Instagram post
New Gokul Farm, based at Bhaktivedanta Manor in Letchmore Heath, featured in an Instagram post by content creator Sarad Dhakal.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:50:00 +0100Bushey man in court over cocaine after 'extensive' county lines investigation
A Bushey man has appeared in court over Class A drug supply after an “extensive” county lines investigation by Lincolnshire Police.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:40:00 +0100Pub near Watford named 'Hertfordshire's best' at national awards
A Hertfordshire village pub's manager has said he is "immensely proud" after it scooped a national award.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 09:57:58 +0100Second 'attempted murder' arrest after Hertfordshire attack
A woman has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in a second arrest over an attack in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 08:54:03 +0100Tourist who sexually assaulted seven-year-old boy in Hertfordshire jailed
A Norwegian man has been jailed for multiple sexual offences committed during a family visit to Hertfordshire.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 08:13:54 +0100'Growing concern' for vulnerable missing man
Hertfordshire Police have appealed for the public's help to find a "vulnerable" missing man last seen at his home in Bovingdon.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 07:30:01 +0100Expanding fish and chip chain set to open Watford store
Rapidly expanding fish and chip shop chain Mother Hubbard's looks set to open a new location in St Albans Road, Watford.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 06:00:00 +0100You Garden offer 'buy 10 get 10 free' bedding plants for £12.99
This week, You Garden is offering the opportunity to Mix n Match across a range of their garden-ready bedding.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 05:30:00 +0100Former High Street business to reopen inside the Harlequin today
Former Watford High Street business TUI is reopening inside the Harlequin today after closing its old branch.