Watford Observer
Tue, 07 Jul 2026 08:44:17 +0100Popular play area FINALLY reopens after being shut for more than a year
Rickmansworth's Ebury Play Area has finally reopened to the public - just in time for the school summer holidays.
Tue, 07 Jul 2026 08:34:17 +0100Hertfordshire motorway crash sparks long delays - live updates
There are long delays on the A1 (M) in Hertfordshire this morning due to a crash between Letchworth and Little Wymondley
Tue, 07 Jul 2026 07:23:32 +0100Long M25 delays near Hertfordshire in wake of vehicle fire - recap
Follow live traffic updates amid long delays on the M25 in Hertfordshire due to emergency resurfacing works
Tue, 07 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0100History comes alive to the sound of music at English Heritage sites this summer
Nothing beats those warm days and balmy evenings of the summer. Add in some live music and that’s a tick for a fun day or evening out. The sounds of summer are being celebrated with live music and events in the beautiful surroundings of English Her...
Tue, 07 Jul 2026 05:29:00 +0100ANOTHER crash at notorious Woodmere Avenue width restriction
Another crash at Watford's infamous Woodmere Avenue width restriction has been caught on camera.
Tue, 07 Jul 2026 05:28:00 +0100School 'thrilled' as Ofsted says inclusion 'at the heart of its work' in new report
Greenfields Primary School, in Ellesborough Close, was inspected on June 2 with inspectors rating both its early years provision and inclusion as a "strong standard" – the regulator's second-highest grading.
Mon, 06 Jul 2026 17:55:00 +0100Euphoria at Watford pubs as England beat Mexico in 'electric' night
Tension gripped supporters as they watched the knockout match and celebrated at The Horns in Hempstead Road and The Dome Bar in St Albans Road.
Mon, 06 Jul 2026 17:30:00 +0100Advanced manufacturing company sign 15-year lease for 53,787-sq-ft Hertfordshire unit
Advanced manufacturing company elasticStage has signed on for a 53,787-square-foot facility by the M1 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.
Mon, 06 Jul 2026 17:15:00 +0100Pubs apply to host entertainment until late for World Cup final
Three Watford pubs, The Oddfellows, Golden Lion, and Hammer In Hand, have got their applications to host entertainment until late for the World Cup final in.
Mon, 06 Jul 2026 15:57:49 +0100Hour-long delays as second M25 crash shuts Hertfordshire lanes AGAIN - recap
Two M25 lanes are closed in Hertfordshire again, near the same location as this morning, after another crash on the motorway.
Mon, 06 Jul 2026 15:35:00 +0100Last Euston to Watford Junction LNR trains to leave by 5.30pm during strike action
Commuters will need to plan around Watford Junction strike action over two days as last trains leave by 5.30pm on Friday and do not start until 7am on Saturday.
Mon, 06 Jul 2026 14:34:28 +0100Air ambulance called to medical emergency at Costco Watford
Essex and Herts Air Ambulance was called to a medical emergency at Costco Watford as a man received treatment before being taken to hospital.
Mon, 06 Jul 2026 13:40:30 +0100Three charged following drug busts linked to Watford supply
Three men from London have been charged in connection with drug supply in Watford.
Mon, 06 Jul 2026 13:05:00 +0100Miraculous escape as car ploughs into pub garden wall and 'bricks hit punters'
Flying bricks hit punters as tragedy was narrowly avoided when a car crashed into the busy garden of the Wellington Arms, Watford.
Mon, 06 Jul 2026 12:03:00 +0100Hertfordshire area named among UK's 'happiest places to live'
A recent study by Purplebricks has found that St Albans in Hertfordshire is among the UK's happiest places to live.
Mon, 06 Jul 2026 11:26:00 +0100Autistic teen 'grabbed by throat' during road rage attack that wrote off car
An autistic teenager has been left "shaking" and "distraught" following an alleged attack in Watford over the weekend.
Mon, 06 Jul 2026 10:48:51 +0100Heavy traffic after 'several vehicles' in Hertfordshire M25 crash - recap
Two of four lanes on the clockwise M25 on the edge of Hertfordshire have been closed as a crash causes long delays.
Mon, 06 Jul 2026 10:15:00 +0100'African staff enjoy hot weather', Reform candidate claims as recycling centre shut
A Reform UK candidate suggested Rickmansworth Recycling Centre should not have closed due to heat because its "African" workers "enjoy the hot weather".
Mon, 06 Jul 2026 08:02:26 +0100Teen volunteer 'punched in face' following row near football club
A teenage volunteer was punched in the face following a row outside the home of Bovingdon Football in Green Lane.
Mon, 06 Jul 2026 07:18:53 +0100Shopping centre store's closure after 13 years confirmed as rising costs blamed
A long-standing Hemel Hempstead store has blamed rising costs and a lack of footfall for its imminent closure after 13 years.
Mon, 06 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0100Celebrate July birthdays with meaningful sparkle ideas from Lily Charmed
July is here and if you have a friend or loved one with a birthday, how about a piece of jewellery to mark their birthstone month or star sign?
Mon, 06 Jul 2026 05:30:00 +0100Video inside 'abandoned' Pryzm nightclub emerges online sparking nostalgia
The video, shared on TikTok, appears to show someone walking through the vacant venue, more than two years after it closed on New Year's Eve 2023.
Mon, 06 Jul 2026 08:51:02 +0100Former Watford skatepark set to be sold to housing developer
A skatepark in Watford is set to be sold to a housing developer by the borough council.
Sun, 05 Jul 2026 14:00:00 +0100Latest Watford Observer Camera Club snaps for food and drink theme
Our amazing photographers have been out capturing images relating to our latest theme of food and drink – you can enjoy a selection by scrolling down on this page.
Sun, 05 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0100The 'fantastic little gem' café with almost perfect reviews lives up to the billing
The tearoom and coffee shop serves light breakfasts, sandwiches and paninis at lunchtime, as well as afternoon tea, scones and cakes.
Sun, 05 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0100The highly rated Indian restaurant in Watford getting praise for 'amazing' food
Generous portions, authentic dishes and outstanding customer service are among the reasons Spice Lounge remains one of Watford's most popular Indian restaurants.
Sun, 05 Jul 2026 11:00:00 +0100Traffic and parking changes among latest Watford-area public notices
Parking changes and a business requesting permission to sell alcohol are among the latest Watford public notices this week.
Sun, 05 Jul 2026 07:00:00 +0100Five-bed family home with pristine garden put on sale for £1 million
A five-bedroom semi-detached home in Nascot Wood hasmarket at hit the market for £1,000,000.
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 18:18:00 +0100'Packed with fun' - Herts children adventure centre hailed in Instagram post
Woody's Playbarn, based at Westmill Farm in Ware, was highlighted by Instagram account @thehertsedit, which shares various ideas for family days out.
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 15:00:00 +0100The 'wonderful' hidden garden less than an hour from Hertfordshire loved by Monty Don
Waltham Place Farm is an hour from Hertfordshire and is loved by gardening expert Monty Don.
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 10:04:53 +0100Manhunt after passenger robbed and assaulted on Hertfordshire train
Police are hunting for a man after a passenger was robbed and assaulted on a train from Hertfordshire.
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0100Does Watford's new Aldi live up to the hype? Our reporter's view
Watford's new town centre Aldi has officially been unveiled - but does it live up to the hype after? Our reporter paid a visit to find out.
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0100One of Hertfordshire's top-rated restaurants given 1/5 hygiene - here's our verdict
One of Hertfordshire's highest-rated Chinese restaurants was recently given a 1/5 food hygiene - so we popped along to judge for ourselves.
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 07:00:00 +0100Barber bemoans Brexit, low footfall and costs amid closure by Christmas fears
James Kourt, 48, opened Ricky's Hair Gallery on Church Street in February but has struggled to attract customers since day one.
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 06:30:00 +0100Discover the 'outstanding' and 'delicious' tearoom hidden on a Hertfordshire farm
The Bull Pen Tearooms in Radlett have been described as "outstanding" and "delicious" by fans.
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:30:00 +0100Hertfordshire town with Rothschild links named among England's most underrated spots
Tring has been named among England's most underrated towns - Here's why.
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 17:12:05 +0100Parking at bend 'accident waiting to happen' as drivers forced to pull out blindly
Joining Uxbridge Road, Rickmansworth, has become an “accident waiting to happen” as parked cars almost completely block visibility.
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 16:17:17 +0100'Serious incident involving weapons' sees three arrests and two properties shut down
A “serious incident” allegedly involving weapons in Radlett has led to three arrests and two properties being shut down.
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 15:42:00 +0100Viral mum cooking Caribbean food on barge coming to Watford
Helen Dent sells her Caribbean food from her canal barge boat restaurant and is due to moor up at Cassiobury Park from next Thursday to Sunday.
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 15:40:00 +0100Why Watford motorists name these 5 roads as the town's most dangerous
Watford motorists have picked out these roads including the A405, A41, and M1 as the town’s most dangerous, with reports of speeding, near-misses, and crashes.
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 13:00:00 +0100New Lidl supermarket complete - this is why it still may not open for months
The area’s newest Lidl supermarket has now been built, but it cannot open yet under conditions set by the council.
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 11:57:00 +0100Four Watford-area pubs staying OPEN for Mexico vs England
Pubs and bars across England received a major last-minute boost yesterday after Keir Starmer announced that licensing hours will be extended until 5am.
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 11:45:47 +0100M25 coach crash with two cars sees person hospitalised - recap
There are long delays after M25 traffic was stopped due to a crash on the edge of Hertfordshire this morning.
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 11:15:00 +0100Lots of trains disruption affecting Watford and Euston this weekend amid HS2 works
Both London Overground and National Rail trains through Watford Junction are set for a weekend of disruption for HS2 work at London Euston.
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 10:35:00 +0100Harlequin's luxury watch business unveils new expanded unit - take a look inside
Goldsmiths on the Upper Mall of the Harlequin shopping centre has undergone a major expansion and redesign.
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 09:57:10 +0100Have you seen this missing Watford man with plaster cast on his foot?
Herts Police are looking for a Watford man with a plaster cast on his foot who has gone missing from the town centre.
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0100You Garden offers beautiful plants that flower all summer for under £15
Summer is in full swing and You Garden’s offers are blooming this week!
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 05:31:00 +0100Is Watford safer now? Latest violent crime, burglary and theft stats revealed
Violent crime and theft in Watford have gone up in a year and residents remain divided over how safe the town really feels.
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 05:32:00 +0100Beautiful four-bed home in sought-after area put on sale for £1.2m
A modern four-bedroom detached home in one of Watford’s most sought-after residential pockets has hit the market at £1,200,000 on Tunnel Wood Road.
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 17:07:04 +0100The 11 Hertfordshire towns in the running to become UK Town of Culture 2028
Eleven Hertfordshire towns are in the running to be named the UK’s first ever town of culture for 2028, including Hemel Hempstead and Elstree & Borehamwood.