Watford Observer
Mon, 23 Feb 2026 05:30:00 +0000M1 and M25 set to close in Hertfordshire during roadworks this week
Both the M1 and M25 will close for roadworks in Hertfordshire this week, with A1M works also set.
Mon, 23 Feb 2026 05:55:00 +0000Spring savings to be had on hundreds of items at FabFinds
Getting your home ready for Spring? Whether you’re cleaning or giving your home a new lease of life, you will be wanting to save money on the much-needed essentials. And, if you want a one stop shop for all of your favourite brands for less, then h...
Sun, 22 Feb 2026 16:50:34 +0000Watford man's heartbreaking insight into life in Ukraine after delivering aid
“It was important to let people know we hadn’t forgotten them,” a Watford man has said after delivering aid to Ukraine.
Sun, 22 Feb 2026 16:00:00 +0000'Watford, Bushey and Britain is suffering a modern-day plague'
Watford, Bushey and UK roads face a pothole crisis, with Herts County Council urged to use £180m government funding to fix dangerous road surfaces.
Sun, 22 Feb 2026 15:52:00 +0000Owner 'so grateful' after busy opening day for High Street café
Despite a “hectic” opening day, the new owner of a Bushey High Street café are “so grateful” for community support.
Sun, 22 Feb 2026 15:00:00 +0000Major redevelopment plan triggers environmental screening in Hemel Hempstead
Dacorum Borough Council planning applications: latest home extensions, tree works, business alterations and property changes in Hemel Hempstead and more.
Sun, 22 Feb 2026 13:52:46 +0000Free food on offer as The Harlequin's newest restaurant opens tomorrow
The Harlequin’s newest restaurant, Chop Wok Express, is set to open tomorrow.
Sun, 22 Feb 2026 11:55:00 +0000Historic Hertfordshire school featured in comedy film on the market for £5m
A Gothic Hertfordshire estate that featured in The Belles of St Trinian's has hit the market for £5 million.
Sun, 22 Feb 2026 11:00:00 +0000The Watford landmark opened by a future king
It is 48 years since the landmark YMCA building in Watford was opened by King Charles, when he was Prince Charles.
Sun, 22 Feb 2026 10:59:49 +0000Motorway lanes closed after Hertfordshire crash - recap
Two lanes of the M1 are closed in Hertfordshire after a crash on the northbound carriageway.
Sun, 22 Feb 2026 10:45:00 +0000Local plan evidence submitted in crunch moment as 'district's character' at risk
Three Rivers District Council has submitted evidence backing its local plan to the housing minister.
Sun, 22 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +000020‑metre phone mast proposed for among latest planning applications
Latest Hertsmere Borough Council planning applications: home extensions, new builds, loft conversions, tree works and office changes in Hertfordshire.
Sun, 22 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000Rufus Hound bringing magician grandfather's story to life on Watford stage
Stage and screen star Rufus Hound and director Steve Marmion bringing the story of The Mesmerist back to the Watford Palace Theatre stage.
Sun, 22 Feb 2026 09:40:00 +0000Trio 'threw objects at front door to house', police appeal for information
Herts Police have called for information after three people started throwing objects at a Watford house.
Sun, 22 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +0000Beautiful Watford home has beams and doors from historic town mansion
A Watford home featuring oak beams and doors believed to come from the historic Cassiobury House is on the market for £950,000.
Sun, 22 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +0000Multiple Watford-area roads set to shut for roadworks
A round-up of the latest public notices including more than 12 planned road closures in Watford, Abbots Langley and Aldenham.
Sun, 22 Feb 2026 07:00:00 +0000Glamorous cat looking for a new home at Watford centre
Meet Gladys, a one-year-old cat at National Animal Welfare Trust in Watford, ready for adoption. Friendly, elegant, and loving, seeking her forever home in the UK.
Sun, 22 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000I visited the 'close-knit' Hertfordshire village put forward for UK town of culture
I visited Letchmore Heath to find out whether it deserves to be the UK's first town of culture.
Sat, 21 Feb 2026 18:00:00 +0000The worst things to do (or places to go) in London this summer
Fed up with overcrowded, overpriced London attractions for families? Explore why UK parents find days out in Camden, Soho, and Covent Garden so unbearable.
Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:30:00 +0000Hertfordshire resident prosecuted after trees blocked neighbour's light
High hedges legislation has seen a Hertfordshire resident prosecuted for not cutting back cedar trees on their property.
Sat, 21 Feb 2026 15:45:00 +0000No trains to run on Watford railway line during six-day engineering works
No trains will run on the Abbey Line between Watford Junction and St Albans Abbey during six days of engineering works.
Sat, 21 Feb 2026 14:37:14 +0000Crash shuts motorway entry slip at Watford - recap
An M1 entry slip has been closed as emergency services respond to a crash.
Sat, 21 Feb 2026 14:15:00 +0000Planning application for 333-home neighbourhood by M25 submitted
Plans for 333 homes and a 66-bed care home have been submitted for the Catlips Farm site by the M25 between Chorleywood and Rickmansworth.
Sat, 21 Feb 2026 13:00:00 +0000Demolition of bungalow and construction of new homes among weekly plans
Latest Three Rivers District Council planning applications: new homes, extensions, garage conversions, landscaping changes and more across Hertfordshire.
Sat, 21 Feb 2026 12:09:23 +0000Police called to two-vehicle Hertfordshire motorway crash - recap
Herts Police have been called to the scene of a two-vehicle crash on the southbound A1M in Hertfordshire.
Sat, 21 Feb 2026 11:20:00 +0000Large farmland site eyed for 600 homes, documents reveal
Planning documents reveal a large open site near Radlett is being eyed for up to 600 homes.
Sat, 21 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000School redevelopment leads latest round of planning applications in Watford
Latest planning applications to Watford Borough Council: home extensions, tree works, school and business changes, including Watford Girls Grammar School.
Sat, 21 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000Police CCTV appeal after incident inside pub
CCTV has been shared by police after a public order offence in The Three Horseshoes, Letchmore Heath.
Sat, 21 Feb 2026 09:34:46 +0000Door to home smashed in during burglary
The door to a Bovingdon home was smashed in during a burglary, sparking an appeal for information.
Sat, 21 Feb 2026 07:00:00 +0000Discover the 'absolute gem' bakery with the most 'incredible' cakes in Hertfordshire
Hertford Cake Co has been described by customers as an "absolute gem" and "incredible". Find out why.
Sat, 21 Feb 2026 05:30:00 +0000Inside the viral 'whimsical' Hertfordshire book shop that's like a fairytale
Books On The Hill in St Albans has been described as "whimsical" and like stepping into a fairytale.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 17:41:00 +0000Watford's best Indian restaurants according to Tripadvisor 2026
The Watford Observer rounds up the town's best Indian eateries according to Tripadvisor reviews.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 16:00:00 +0000Former pub near Watford whose name lives on
A look back to when the former White Horse pub, in Bushey, reopened in 1993. It now a residential property known as The Old White Horse.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:55:00 +00007 patches of land on sale where homes or commercial spaces could be built
Land in around Watford, including in Bushey and Kings Langley, has been put up for sale as potential development opportunities.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 13:10:00 +0000Bungalow would be demolished for two-storey replacement under new plans
Plans to knock down a Rickmansworth bungalow for replacement with a two-storey house have been submitted.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 13:06:00 +0000TV chef's Grade II Hertfordshire home on the market with slashed asking price
Gino D’Acampo's Hertfordshire home in Hoddesdon has had its asking price halved as the TV chef looks to sell the seven-bed property.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 12:38:00 +0000Unpopular flats plan voted down at meeting - but decisive appeal still looms
Plans for five flats near a Rickmansworth school that have sparked more than 140 objctions are set to go to appeal.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 11:42:00 +0000Range Rover flipped onto roof in Hertfordshire motorway crash
M25 traffic in Hertfordshire was stopped after a Range Rover flipped onto its roof.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 11:15:00 +0000M25 stopped at M1 after vehicle flipped in crash - recap
Anticlockwise M25 traffic has been stopped at the junction for the M1 after a car was flipped in a crash.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 10:10:00 +0000'Noisy overnight works' warning for those living near railway line
Neighbours have been warned of loud work through the night along a railway line in Hunton Bridge.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000In memoriam - death notices in the Watford Observer
The Watford Observer has published four Watford-area death notices in the last seven days.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000Upgrade your home's warmth with local expertise from The Radiator Hub with 15% off
As the temperatures continue to dip and we all look to make our homes cosier, The Radiator Hub is here to help homeowners and local tradespeople find the perfect balance of style, warmth, and value
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 10:00:09 +0000Ten roads could have 20mph limit imposed as consultation begins TODAY
Hertfordshire County Council has today (February 20) has begun a consultation on imposing a 20mph limit on ten roads in Chorleywood.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 09:25:45 +000075-home estate could soon be built after approval recommended
An estate of 75 homes could soon be built as an extension to Maple Cross, Hertfordshire.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 09:22:48 +0000Woman in 70s remains in hospital two months after being hit by car
A woman in her 70s remains in hospital two months after being hit by a car in Croxley Green, police have confirmed.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 08:30:00 +0000Aldi and Lidl expanding in Hertfordshire - where new supermarkets are opening
Aldi and Lidl have been expanding their presence near Watford and across Hertfordshire with more new stores on the way.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 07:40:00 +0000Community favourite cafe reopening tomorrow after year-long closure
After more than a year empty, The Village Café in Bushey will reopen tomorrow.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 05:30:00 +0000Stylish home stone's throw from popular park put on sale for £600k
Four-bedroom mid-terrace house for sale in Watford, Hertfordshire near Garston Park. Modern kitchen, private garden, top schools, and excellent transport links.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 07:23:00 +0000Gorgeous scent as standard with You Garden’s Lilac ‘Palibin’
If there’s one tree known for its scent, it has to be a lilac and the Lilac ‘Palibin’ Standard features in You Garden’s offers this week.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000Business hub in town hall will 'boost town's economy'
Watford Town Hall to host £10m innovation and incubation hub with Co-Space, supporting start-ups and SMEs as part of the Town Hall Quarter regeneration.