Watford Observer
Fri, 14 Nov 2025 09:55:00 +0000Watford drivers set for London Congestion Charge hike and EV discounts cut
TfL has announced that the Congestion Charge will increase to £18 from January 2026, and that electric vehicles will now pay the fee.
Fri, 14 Nov 2025 09:46:00 +0000Church burgled and window smashed - one man charged
A man has been charged after the window to a Hemel Hempstead church was reportedly smashed to steal the collection box.
Fri, 14 Nov 2025 05:30:00 +0000Opposition to 600-home scheme continues despite reworked plans
Traffic and environmental backlash to a 600-home scheme in Croxley Green and by Whippendell Wood continues despite updated proposals.
Fri, 14 Nov 2025 07:12:00 +0000You Garden’s Plant of the Month offer: Helleborus niger - Christmas Rose
Brighten up the darkness of winter with these gorgeous Christmas Roses… chosen by You Garden as November’s Plant of the Month.
Tue, 11 Nov 2025 17:30:00 +0000'Use it or lose it': church to mosque plan divides Watford opinion
Residents have suggested churches are ‘use it or lose it’ amid a plan to turn the former Leavesden Road Baptist Church into a mosque.
Thu, 13 Nov 2025 18:33:04 +0000Police to make Co-op store 'hostile environment' for thieves
Police say they are "determined" to crack down on a crime hotspot by making it a "hostile environment for thieves".
Thu, 13 Nov 2025 16:00:00 +0000Look back at the Watford Market stalls we miss
A look back at some of the stalls that traded in Watford Market in the early 1990s when it was located in Charter Place.
Thu, 13 Nov 2025 15:28:47 +0000Car and HGV crash on Hertfordshire motorway - recap
A car and a HGV have been involved in a crash on the M1 in Hertfordshire this afternoon.
Thu, 13 Nov 2025 14:15:00 +0000Former 17th century pub in Hemel could become flats amid new plan
Plans to turn a 17th century former Hemel Hempstead pub into flats and build homes on its land have been submitted.
Thu, 13 Nov 2025 13:49:00 +0000Air ambulance called after e-bike rider badly hurt in crash
An e-bike rider is being rushed to hospital with “serious” injuries after the air ambulance was called to a crash in the A41 near Bushey.
Thu, 13 Nov 2025 12:45:24 +0000Motorists warned to avoid major road after crash - recap
Hertfordshire Highways has warned motorists to avoid the A41 near Bushey after a crash this afternoon.
Thu, 13 Nov 2025 12:26:00 +0000Watford home with 'active badger sett' put on sale for £1.2m
A five-bedroom detached house on Shepherds Road, Watford, is listed for £1.2m. The 3,028 sq ft property features a mature garden with an active badger sett, garage, cellar, and loft space, and is close to Cassiobury Park and Watford Grammar School.
Thu, 13 Nov 2025 11:28:34 +0000Watford man due in court after armed cops seize loaded pistol, cash and drugs
A Watford man is due in St Albans Crown Court after police seized a loaded semi-automatic pistol and £30,000 in cash from a car.
Thu, 13 Nov 2025 10:56:00 +0000Yellow weather warning issued for Hertfordshire as heavy rain set to hit
A yellow weather warning has been been issued for Hertfordshire, with the Met Office warning of heavy rain across the county this week.
Thu, 13 Nov 2025 10:33:00 +0000Watford school ranked among the best behaved in England
Parmiter's School in Watford has been named among the most well-behaved in England by the Great British Schools Guide (GBSG).
Thu, 13 Nov 2025 10:30:00 +0000'Busiest day for Watford to London trains' coming up this week
Watford Junction’s operator London Northwestern Railway has warned passengers that the busiest day of the festive season is coming up this week.
Thu, 13 Nov 2025 09:36:00 +0000Found: Appeal for information after man goes missing at Grand Union Canal
Herts Police have launched an appeal for information on a Hemel Hempstead man who went missing by the Grand Union Canal.
Thu, 13 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +0000Art exhibition to celebrate natural beauty of Watford river
An art exhibition is set to celebrate the natural beauty of the River Colne.
Thu, 13 Nov 2025 05:29:00 +0000Tree that toppled onto van 'was due to be felled this month', landowner says
The huge tree that toppled onto a van in Watford was due to be felled this month, the landowner has said.
Thu, 13 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +0000Sock it to them this Christmas with a novelty SOCKSHOP advent calendar
Socks are the staple gift for Christmas, right? But why not give the gift of a Christmas Sock Advent Calendar and save at the same time?
Tue, 11 Nov 2025 13:05:00 +0000Knifeman who stabbed victim in neck during unprovoked park attack jailed
Trey Kabwe, the attacker in the unprovoked Cassiobury Park stabbing on New Year’s Eve, has been jailed.
Wed, 12 Nov 2025 19:10:00 +0000Mosque plan applicant explains vision for former Watford church
The team behind plans for the former Leavesden Road Baptist Church, North Watford, have shared their vision to “reinvigorate” the space.
Wed, 12 Nov 2025 17:17:00 +0000Cricketers pay tribute after death of 'true legend' all-rounder
Langleybury Cricket Club has paid tribute to a “true legend” as it shared news of a former member’s death at the age of 62.
Wed, 12 Nov 2025 17:00:10 +0000Watford crash leaves two hospitalised with 'serious injuries'
Two men were hospitalised with “serious injuries” after a BMW crashed at an A41/A405 roundabout in Watford last night.
Wed, 12 Nov 2025 16:04:21 +0000Man punched unconscious inside High Street restaurant
A man was knocked out in an attack inside a Rickmansworth High Street restaurant.
Wed, 12 Nov 2025 14:50:00 +0000Final homes up for sale as £172m redevelopment reaches completion
The final homes are up for sale at a £172m redevelopment which has transformed the area around Carpenders Park Station in South Oxhey.
Wed, 12 Nov 2025 14:11:46 +0000Winter shelter opens in Watford to support those sleeping rough
Watford Borough Council and New Hope have launched the Watford Winter Shelter, offering beds, hot meals, and vital support to people sleeping rough from November to March.
Wed, 12 Nov 2025 14:10:00 +0000How high street butchers tried to tempt Christmas shoppers 120 years ago
A look back at a Christmas display outside a Watford High Street butchers in the 1900s.
Wed, 12 Nov 2025 13:32:00 +0000Watford man jailed over weapon charge WANTED on recall to prison
A Watford man jailed over weapon and drug possession is now wanted by Herts Police
Wed, 12 Nov 2025 12:40:00 +0000'Major' Herts drug dealers jailed after £180k seized
Hertfordshire Police seized drugs, cash, and phones worth £180,000 before securing seven- and 14-year sentences for “major” drug dealers.
Wed, 12 Nov 2025 11:45:00 +0000New parking scheme launched to tackle unsafe school drop-offs
Watford Borough Council and NSL Ltd have launched a new initiative to tackle unsafe and inconsiderate school parking through education sessions and a creative poster competition, empowering pupils to promote safety around school gates.
Wed, 12 Nov 2025 11:37:00 +0000Watford girl, 10, 'very excited' over Wicked: For Good role
Recording videos with her family during lockdown has led a Watford girl to a “fantastic” role in Wicked: For Good starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.
Wed, 12 Nov 2025 11:20:00 +0000More than 160 served in one day at Watford consular clinic
A NADRA Mobile Surgery held at Citizens Advice Watford helped over 160 people in one day.
Wed, 12 Nov 2025 09:42:57 +0000Video shows trapdoor basement beneath shop raided over illegal products
Footage shows the hidden basement beneath a trapdoor in a Watford shop raided by police and Hertfordshire Trading Standards over illegal products.
Wed, 12 Nov 2025 05:31:00 +0000Driver ‘lucky to be alive’ after 30ft tree falls on van with him inside
A driver has spoken to the Watford Observer after a 30ft tree fell onto his van – a freak accident they say was lucky not to have killed anyone.
Wed, 12 Nov 2025 05:30:00 +0000Developer 'preparing plans for 160 homes on edge of village'
Around 160 homes are set to be proposed for fields on the edge of a Bovingdon.
Wed, 12 Nov 2025 05:29:00 +0000Terrifying moment 30ft tree falls on van captured on camera
The terrifying moment a 30ft tree fell onto a van in Watford with the occupants inside has been caught on a doorbell camera.
Wed, 12 Nov 2025 14:01:44 +0000Watford pilgrimage returns as part of National Interfaith Week
Watford Interfaith Association’s annual walking pilgrimage will return this November as part of National Interfaith Week, inviting people of all faiths and none to come together in a celebration of unity, understanding, and community spirit.
Wed, 12 Nov 2025 07:09:00 +0000Stir up some festive bakes and save at Lakeland
Sunday, November 23, 2025, it might not be a familiar date for many but if you’re making your own Christmas pudding then you’ll want to know that the day is ‘Stir-up Sunday’.
Mon, 10 Nov 2025 18:27:27 +0000Work underway on 'fantastic' new padel courts and café bar
"Fantastic" new padel courts and a café bar are coming to Watford as construction commenced at Woodside Playing Fields.
Mon, 10 Nov 2025 13:29:00 +0000Watford High Street 50 years ago in nostalgic pictures
A look back at a bustling Watford High Street and some of the shops of the time from 50 years ago.
Mon, 10 Nov 2025 05:30:00 +0000Owner reveals details of new town centre venues
The owner of two venues set to open in Watford this weekend has revealed what punters can expect.
Tue, 11 Nov 2025 18:57:56 +0000'Madness' as huge tree 'falls onto van' in Watford
A huge tree has fallen onto a van in Watford this evening (November 11) - with police warning a road closure is likely to be in place for some time.
Tue, 11 Nov 2025 18:20:00 +0000Watford Santa Sleigh route 2025 announced - when will it visit your street?
The routes and dates when Watford Rotary will be visiting your street with its much-loved Santa Sleigh this Christmas.
Tue, 11 Nov 2025 16:31:00 +0000‘Dishonest’ nurse struck off after falsifying patient records
A “dishonest” nurse has been struck off after she falsified patient records at a Hemel Hempstead care home.
Tue, 11 Nov 2025 16:00:00 +0000Amazing snaps of Watford building being dismantled
Look back to when the former Stapleton's Tyre Depot, in Lower High Street, Watford, was dismantled by hand in 1979.
Tue, 11 Nov 2025 15:57:58 +0000Win a £100 Buyagift Voucher in Our Magical Christmas Gift Box Giveaway!
Treat yourself or someone special by entering our festive competition for a chance to win a magical Christmas Gift Box with a £100 Buyagift voucher!
Tue, 11 Nov 2025 15:25:04 +0000Mock the Week and Live at the Apollo comedian to headline Colosseum show
Tickets for a comedy night headlined by award-winning comedian Russell Kane at Watford Colosseum go on sale this week.
Tue, 11 Nov 2025 15:00:00 +00001930s house with Churchill links to be replaced with newbuilds
A 1930s Bushey Heath property built on the site of a historic manor with links to Churchill and the RAF is set to be replaced with two newbuilds.
Tue, 11 Nov 2025 12:21:00 +0000Northern Lights may be visible in Hertfordshire tonight - how best to see them
The Met Office shares that the arrival of "Coronal Mass Ejections" means that the Northern Lights could be seen in southern England spots like Hertfordshire.