Watford Observer

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 08:38:00 +0100
Which Watford and London trains will not run over Easter weekend?
Trains on multiple Watford and Transport for London routes will not run during extensive works on the lines starting this week.

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 07:50:00 +0100
Why historic buses took over the streets of Watford at the weekend
Amersham & District Motorbus Society's historic buses were running their routes through Watford at the weekend.

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 05:29:00 +0100
Prison officer due in crown court over 'smuggling phones, drugs into HMP The Mount'
A prison officer will appear in crown court over allegedly bringing drugs, phones, and chargers into HMP The Mount, in Bovingdon.

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 09:41:57 +0100
Check out English Heritage’s days out this Easter
Stop hibernating, start exploring…days out are back!

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 16:00:00 +0100
The Hertfordshire village featured in Midsomer Murders with an award‑winning pub
Located in south‑west Hertfordshire is a charming village that was featured in Midsomer Murders.

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 15:00:00 +0100
Mayor vows to 'support our community' as Middle East conflict impacts Watford
Watford mayor Peter Taylor has condemned Donald Trump's 'reckless and illegal actions' as the Middle East conflict directly impacts Watford.

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 14:00:00 +0100
Plans submitted to redevelop Hemel Hempstead street site with 6 new homes
A round-up of the latest planning applications submitted to Dacorum Borough Council.

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 14:00:00 +0100
Looking back at 'a pleasing gift for any cook'
Watford Observer local history columnist Lesley Dunlop looks back at Recipe & Household Hints book published by Oxhey Village Environment Group.

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 13:00:00 +0100
A little changed picturesque scene on the outskirts of Watford
A look back at a beautiful picture postcard view of Grove Mill Lane, in Watford, when a busy mill was still in operation.

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 11:00:00 +0100
Five of Hertfordshire’s oldest pubs with fantastic histories to have a drink in
Hertfordshire is home to some incredibly old pubs with fascinating histories.

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0100
Five popular Turkish restaurants in Watford you must try according to Tripadvisor
Five Turkish restaurants stand out from the rest according to reviews on Tripadvisor.

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0100
12 big Hertfordshire festivals set to return for 2026 - here's what you need to know
Hertfordshire locals can expect a packed calendar of festivals in 2026, with everything from food and drink celebrations to huge live music events.

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0100
Parking charges and road closures among latest Watford-area public notices
A round-up of the latest public notices for Watford and the surrounding area.

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0100
The 'sweetest pair of cats you’ll ever meet' up for adoption in Watford
Leo and Una a bonded pair of 3 and a half‑year‑old cats. Loved by the team at the National Animal Welfare Trust in Watford.

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0100
The 'wonderful' homeless shelter that helped dozens of people this winter
Watford’s Winter Shelter, run by New Hope and funded by Watford Borough Council, supported 56 people this winter, providing 854 nights of accommodation for vulnerable people.

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 11:25:00 +0100
Watch how to get the news you want to see with Google’s Preferred Sources
Google's Preferred Sources allows users to personalise their results in Google Search and choose news outlets they want to see more of.

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0000
Brett Ellis celebrates 10 years in the business of writing
Brett Ellis reflects on a decade of column writing, from accidental internet fame to identity theft mishaps, and the joy—and chaos—of sharing everyday life.

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 15:00:00 +0000
Plans submitted for new home in Watford
A proposal has been lodged to build a new dwellinghouse at 53 Louvain Way in Watford, including landscaping plus dedicated refuse and cycle storage.

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 13:00:00 +0000
Major redevelopment proposed for property in Moor Park
A round-up of the latest planning applications submitted to Three Rivers District Council.

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 12:09:38 +0000
Update on road closure near Bushey Arches due to emergency gas works
An update has been shared on a road closure near Bushey Arches due to emergency gas repair works heading to Watford.

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 11:00:00 +0000
The £1.2m family home that perfectly combines suburbia with modern life
A detached four-bedroom family home in Woodland Drive, Watford, boasting stylish interiors and a garden office is up for sale with an asking price of £1,225,000.

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000
Plans for 136 new homes among latest Hertsmere planning applications
Here are the latest planning applications registered by Hertsmere Borough Council in the past week, featuring a mix of home extensions among submissions.

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000
The beautiful Hertfordshire town famed for filming and a huge art collection
A town in Hertfordshire is home to the county’s largest art collection and is a hot filming location, from British TV to Hollywood blockbusters.

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 08:00:00 +0000
Watford café reflects on 'evolutionary journey’ after positive first year
A Watford‑based café known for its “five‑star birthday parties” and community feel is celebrating a successful first year in business.

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000
Stunning springtime photos from the Watford Observer Camera Club
Beautiful photos celebrating springtime from Watford Observer Camera Club featuring Cassiobury Park, Watford, Cliveden and Old Amersham

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +0000
The stunning salt caves spa in Hertfordshire getting rave reviews
There is a stunning salt caves spa retreat in Hertfordshire, not far from Watford, that brings a touch of Romanian halotherapy to the county.

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Community orchard among more than 50 trees to be planted across Watford
Watford Borough Council will plant more than 50 new trees across parks, open spaces, and along the River Colne this year, including a new community orchard.

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 11:26:00 +0000
Why you should favourite the Watford Observer as a Preferred Source on Google
This is why you should favourite your local Newsquest title as a Preferred Source on Google

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:45:00 +0000
Grade II listed former pub on Grand Union Canal could become five flats
Batchworth Lock House, on the Grand Union Canal in Rickmansworth, could be turned into five flats under newly unveiled plans.

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 12:17:00 +0000
Popular classic car show confirms return after four-year absence
Popular car show Classics on the Green in Croxley Green is set to return this year after four years away.

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 13:41:00 +0000
NO ACCESS to Watford via Bushey Arches during bridge works starting TODAY
There will be no access to Watford High Street via Bushey Arches starting tomorrow.

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 05:30:00 +0000
Watford-area secondary schools ranked in new School Guide league table
Watford's secondary schools have been ranked by School Guide, using a range of official data

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 17:40:00 +0000
'Do you know better than an expert?', pet owner asked as he denies dog is XL bully
A Watford pet owner was asked “do you think you know better” than an “expert” officer as he denied having an XL bully in St Albans Magistrates' Court.

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 16:14:00 +0000
Why this 'exceptional' Watford school is among Hertfordshire's best
The Watford Observer shines a spotlight on Parmiter's School in Garston.

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 13:31:00 +0000
Hemel Hempstead launches bid to be UK's first 'Town of Culture'
Hemel Hempstead has launched a bid to to be the UK's Town of Culture.

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 12:45:00 +0000
Man convicted of false imprisonment and intentional strangulation
A Bushey Heath man has been found guilty of false imprisonment and intentional strangulation.

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000
Sherlock actor Mark Gatiss stars in short film shot in Bushey
Mark Gatiss features in a short film shot in Bushey Museum, by a local director shining a light on carers’ experiences.

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 10:09:59 +0000
Bankrupt Hertfordshire dad jailed over dodging school fee debt
A bankrupt dad from Hertfordshire has been jailed for more than two years for attempting to dodge debts owed to a private school in Ware.

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000
Chip shop closed TODAY for filming
Filming is set to close a fish and chip shop in Bricket Wood today (March 27) with filming set to take place.

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 08:05:36 +0000
Children's play area reopens after being plagued by 'dozens of rats'
A children's play area in Abbots Langley has reopened after "dozens of rats" forced its closure earlier this month.

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 07:29:40 +0000
Land near two 'outstanding' schools 'under offer' after failed homes plans
A "prominent" parcel of lane near two "outstanding" schools with housebuilding potential is now "under offer"

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000
Padel tennis courts coming to Watford as part of leisure centre upgrades
Five new padel tennis courts are being built at Woodside Leisure Centre and Playing Fields in Watford, with two open‑air and three covered, floodlit courts.

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 05:32:00 +0000
Everything you need to know ahead of Space NK opening in the Harlequin
Space NK is set to open in Watford on April 10 - here is everything you need to know.

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 05:30:00 +0000
Stunning £1.85m luxury home with showstopping features put on sale
A stunning five-bedroom detached house Cassiobury Drive, Watford, is on the market for £1.85m.

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 06:32:00 +0000
Sweet pea collection will reward you and your garden all summer
Imagine your garden filled with colour, your home filled with perfume, and friends asking how you did it… get the Ultimate Sweet Pea Collection from You Garden and the collection will reward all summer long.

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 15:59:00 +0000
‘Preferred’ route of Hertfordshire Essex Rapid Transit scheme to be published
The preferred route for the Hertfordshire Essex Rapid Transit (HERT) scheme is set to be published this summer (2026), the Local Democracy Reporting Service has learned.

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 11:24:58 +0000
Why you should turn on Google’s preferred sources and how to do it
This is how to add your favourite news sources to Google’s preferred sources and make sure you stay up to date with all the news happening near you.

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:14:40 +0000
Daughter dies in hospital after being airlifted from crash which killed mother
A second woman has died after being airlifted to hospital following a crash near Mount Vernon Hospital which killed her mother and saw one man arrested.

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:08:31 +0000
Girl dies in Herts horror crash as two others seriously injured and driver arrested
A “bright and beautiful” girl has died in a horror crash in Hertfordshire, police have confirmed, as two others were seriously hurt and the driver arrested.

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:00:00 +0000
Look back at town centre street before Watford ring road built
A look back at a view of King Street from Granville Road in the 1960s before the ring road was built in Watford.

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