Watford Observer
Sat, 14 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000The best Chinese restaurants in Watford according to Tripadvisor 2026
From long-established local takeaways to well-reviewed delivery favourites, these were the top rated Chinese restaurants in Watford based on Tripadvisor reviews.
Sat, 14 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000Plans filed for major six‑metre extension submitted to Watford
Latest planning applications in Watford: home extensions, garage conversions, loft alterations, and tree works submitted to Watford Borough Council.
Sat, 14 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000Local parks present a great business opportunity
Interested in a new location for your business? Then look no further than Harrow’s spacious parks.
Sat, 14 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +0000Family-friendly pub with 'beautiful big garden' bullish about the future
The Watford Observer's pub of the week series returns to Bushey to catch up with the latest goings on at The Three Crowns.
Sat, 14 Feb 2026 07:00:00 +0000Two Hertfordshire charities team up for 'groundbreaking collaboration'
Hertfordshire charities Small Acts of Kindness and Hearts for Herts unite for Valentine’s Day, raising funds to combat loneliness and boost lifesaving skills.
Sat, 14 Feb 2026 07:00:00 +0000Stunning snap of hedgehog-shaped starling murmuration
A stunning snap of a starling murmuration shaped as a hedgehog is among photos of unusual perspectives taken by the Watford Observer Camera Club.
Sat, 14 Feb 2026 06:28:00 +0000Why this ‘incredible’ bagel and coffee shop in Hertfordshire has gone viral
Brad & Dills in St Albans has been described as “excellent” and “incredible” and has gone TikTok viral. Find out why.
Sat, 14 Feb 2026 06:06:00 +0000Meet the owner of 'unique' Indian restaurant in Watford
The owner of Watford's Calcutta Cravings has explained what makes the recently opened venue so "unique".
Sat, 14 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000Discover the quaint and charming Hertfordshire village home to an ‘excellent’ pub
Weston is a small Hertfordshire village surrounded by natural beauty and home to an acclaimed pub.
Wed, 11 Feb 2026 14:11:55 +0000Exact days it could snow in Hertfordshire revealed
The latest weather forecast has revealed that there is a chance of snow in Watford and Hertfordshire in the next week.
Fri, 13 Feb 2026 19:34:51 +0000Senior cop sacked after lying about affair with another police officer
A senior Hertfordshire police officer has been dismissed without notice after he lied about an affair with another police officer.
Fri, 13 Feb 2026 17:40:00 +0000Driver who tried to ram pedestrian jailed for making threats to kill
A Watford driver who tried to reverse his car into a pedestrian on the pavement has been jailed for making threats to kill.
Fri, 13 Feb 2026 16:43:00 +0000Gang member jailed over 'appalling' broad daylight shooting in Watford
The Watford A41 shooter Hekmat Galmne has been jailed for 28 years over "an appalling act of violence committed in broad daylight".
Fri, 13 Feb 2026 16:00:00 +0000Park near Watford once home to university for Canadian troops
Historian Helen George looks back at the brief history of the Canadian Khaki University in what is now Leavesden Country Park.
Fri, 13 Feb 2026 15:40:06 +0000Multi-vehicle crash stops M25 traffic at Watford - recap
M25 traffic has been halted near Watford after a multi-vehicle crash.
Fri, 13 Feb 2026 15:15:00 +0000Row of homes could be demolished for six-bed replacements with swimming pools
Plans to knock down and replace a row of three Radlett houses have been submitted.
Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:32:00 +0000Family tribute to 'warm-hearted' 17-year-old who died in Hertfordshire crash
The family of a “warm-hearted and affectionate” 17-year-old killed in a Great Gaddesden, Hertfordshire, motorbike crash have paid tribute to him.
Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:27:55 +0000Man charged over burglaries, drug and weapon possession
A man from Hemel Hempstead has been charged with a string of offences in Watford and Abbots Langley.
Fri, 13 Feb 2026 11:45:00 +0000Specialist equipment required as 'sinkhole' opening up
Specialist equipment will be required to tackle a “big dip” which is opening up in a residential road in South Oxhey.
Fri, 13 Feb 2026 11:21:02 +0000Yellow ice warning issued for Hertfordshire as snowfall forecast
A yellow ice warning covering Hertfordshire, including Watford, has been issued as snowfall is expected in the county.
Fri, 13 Feb 2026 10:35:00 +0000New parking restrictions set to come in outside parade of shops
New parking restrictions have been set for a road in Abbots Langley which includes a parade of shops.
Fri, 13 Feb 2026 10:30:16 +0000New business set to open in vacant high street unit
A vacant unit in Watford High Street is set to be occupied by Rawr Beauty, with work beginning on the premises.
Fri, 13 Feb 2026 10:10:00 +0000Hertfordshire farmer left with £40k bill after horrendous fly-tip on his land
A Hertfordshire farmer has said he is unable to afford £40,000 to remove fly-tipped waste on his land amid an epidemic of illegally dumped waste.
Fri, 13 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000In memoriam: Death notices in the Watford Observer
The Watford Observer has published three death notices in the last seven days.
Fri, 13 Feb 2026 08:13:18 +0000Fate of Watford branches revealed as banking giant announces 95 closures
Watford's branches of Lloyds and Halifax are safe after the banking giant announced 95 upcoming closures
Fri, 13 Feb 2026 07:18:01 +0000A-list comedian announces Colosseum show with tickets on sale TODAY
One of Britain's biggest comedians is coming to Watford, with tickets for Jimmy Carr's June show going on sale this morning.
Fri, 13 Feb 2026 05:30:00 +0000Two-bed home in sought-after neighbourhood put on sale for £475k
A “well‑presented” terraced house in sought-after Watford neighbourhood Watford Fields is on the market for £475,000 with estate agents Gibbs Gillespie.
Fri, 13 Feb 2026 05:30:00 +0000High Street's newest restaurant aiming to bring 'something Watford has been missing'
Watford High Street’s newest restaurant, Aysu, is here to make a splash with “authentic flavours, generous portions, and great hospitality”.
Fri, 13 Feb 2026 07:15:00 +0000Revive your garden with timeless blooms from You Garden
The Complete Hardy Garden Perennial Collection from You Garden will quite simply transform your garden with six months of spectacular colour every year.
Thu, 12 Feb 2026 17:15:00 +0000Everything we know after house fire left one dead and four hospitalised
While the investigation continues, it has been confirmed that one person died and four were hospitalised in a huge house fire in Bushey Heath.
Thu, 12 Feb 2026 16:00:00 +0000The most changed area of Watford High Street
The area of Watford High Street between market place and Clarendon Road has seen the most frequent changes over the past 100 years.
Thu, 12 Feb 2026 16:00:00 +0000Rogue trader jailed after £100k scam left victims without a roof for winter
Targeting elderly and vulnerable people has landed a rogue trader from Aldenham with a five-year prison sentence.
Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:50:00 +0000Watford station to close for 4 days next week as no trains will run
Watford Underground Station is set to close over four days next week as no Metropolitan Line trains will run on its branch.
Thu, 12 Feb 2026 13:55:00 +0000'Big dip' in road forces its closure amid sinkhole fears
A “void” has opened up in a Hayling Road, South Oxhey, forcing its closure.
Thu, 12 Feb 2026 13:05:00 +0000Video shows fatal Bushey house blaze - as fire service issue statement
Footage shows the fire which destroyed a large home, killed one person, and hospitalised four as it raged through the night in Bushey Heath.
Thu, 12 Feb 2026 11:15:00 +0000Person dies and firefighters hospitalised by huge house fire
One person died and firefighters were hospitalised in a huge fire in Bushey Heath which blazed for hours last night.
Thu, 12 Feb 2026 10:01:53 +0000Major house fire sparks emergency services investigation - recap
Firefighters tackled a major blaze in Bushey Heath yesterday evening, with details expected to be confirmed soon.
Thu, 12 Feb 2026 09:31:54 +0000'Miles of congestion' as lorry breakdown blocking M25 - recap
There are miles of congestion on the M25 this morning after a vehicle breakdown shut two lanes.
Thu, 12 Feb 2026 08:33:06 +0000Up to 1,000 jobs at risk amid reports of cost-cutting at Herts-based big business
Hertfordshire-based business Ocado is reportedly drawing up plans that could put 1,000 jobs at risk.
Thu, 12 Feb 2026 07:57:19 +0000Burglar jailed after stealing 15 bottles of whiskey and scotch
A man has been jailed for 32 months after stealing 15 bottles of whiskey and aged scotch from a garage in Hemel Hempstead
Thu, 12 Feb 2026 07:14:42 +0000Road closure in place for hours as emergency services battle blaze
Emergency services have been battling a blaze in Hartsbourne Close in Bushey overnight with road closures in place.
Thu, 12 Feb 2026 07:00:00 +0000Showcase day celebrates Watford businesses and charities
Watford Rotary Club hosted a community showcase at Holywell Community Centre, highlighting local volunteering, charity projects, and membership opportunities.
Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:30:00 +0000'Printing is in Watford's blood' - shock and worry over iconic site's closure
Current and former workers at Reach’s Watford print site have been left in “shock” by the closure of a key part of the town’s heritage.
Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:29:00 +0000'Waitrose to open new store' as part of 150-home development
North Bushey county councillor Laurence Brass has claimed that a new Waitrose store could be opening as part of the redevelopment of the Bushey Golf and Country Club site.
Thu, 12 Feb 2026 07:14:00 +0000Save on February staycations with Sykes Cottages
Whether you're looking to explore the countryside with your family or a break by the sea, there's something for everyone from Sykes Cottages this February.
Wed, 11 Feb 2026 19:45:00 +0000ITV's The Chase star to host Palace Theatre quiz night
ITV game show The Chase star Shaun Wallace, 'The Dark Destroyer', will help launch 1908 Cabaret creative space at Watford Palace Theatre.
Wed, 11 Feb 2026 17:25:00 +0000High Street restaurant to reopen with upgraded facilities after refurb
Watford High Street restaurant Fratelli is set to reopen with upgraded facilities next week.
Wed, 11 Feb 2026 16:40:00 +0000Mayor highlights importance of apprenticeships in Watford
Early years apprenticeships in the UK surge 21%, making childcare the fastest-growing sector. Watford mayor visits Montessori Apprentice Academy.
Wed, 11 Feb 2026 15:41:20 +0000Motorway 'to remain closed for hours' after multi-vehicle crash
The M25 is closed between the M40 and Maple Cross in Hertfordshire after a multi-vehicle crash.
Wed, 11 Feb 2026 15:02:21 +0000'Hour-long delays' as M25 shut after crash - recap
The clockwise M25 is currently shut between junction 16 and 17 - for Maple Cross - following a crash.