Watford Observer

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 09:45:48 +0100
Four nights of road closures near Hertfordshire roundabouts start tomorrow
Motorists have been warned to plan ahead as four nights of closures threaten disruption around a busy Hertfordshire roundabout.

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 08:44:23 +0100
'Dangerous' rapist jailed for 11 years after filming himself committing crimes
A "dangerous offender" has been jailed after pleading guilty to multiple counts of rape.

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 05:30:00 +0100
'We need action now' says 254-strong petition after 27 injury crashes at blackspot
Oxhey Hall residents' 254-strong petition for action will be heard after 27 crashes causing injury.

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 05:30:00 +0100
Discover the 'beautiful' pub walk through Hertfordshire's rolling hills
Explore the 5.1km Chess Valley walk in Hertfordshire, featuring Chiltern Hills scenery, riverside paths and a stop at The Cock Inn in Sarratt.

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 05:30:00 +0100
Inside the English Heritage gem 1 hour from Hertfordshire with a gold-plated bathroom
Explore English Heritage’s Eltham Palace near Hertfordshire, where Tudor history meets 1930s Art Deco glamour, gardens and family-friendly attractions.

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 05:00:00 +0100
Old trade directories reveal what life was like in Rickmansworth a century ago
Explore Rickmansworth’s 1907 Kelly’s Directory, revealing local businesses, residents, council services and everyday life in Hertfordshire’s past and villages.

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 16:49:30 +0100
The school among England's best that achieved record GCSE results this year
The Watford Observer shines a spotlight on why Rickmansworth School is one of the best in England.

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 15:23:26 +0100
The sites in and around Watford where more than 2,600 homes could be built
These six sites in and around Watford are currently subject to planning applications for 2,638 homes.

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 12:38:24 +0100
Watford nursery unveils new look after renovation from former pupil
A Watford nursery has unveiled its new look after a refurbishment.

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 11:18:33 +0100
Chart-topping star announces Watford Colosseum show
Emeli Sandé has announced she will be bringing her new tour to the Watford Colosseum next year.

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 10:09:21 +0100
New look at Nicole Kidman filming movie on edge of Watford
Nicole Kidman has shared her love for Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden after filming her latest movie at the facility on the edge of Watford.

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 09:24:44 +0100
Police appeal over racist, antisemitic and homophobic graffiti including swastika
Police have appealed for information after discovering antisemitic, homophobic and racist graffiti.

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 05:33:00 +0100
The 'excellent' independent Hertfordshire bakery serving 'delicious' treats
Loafing Bakery in St Albans has been described as "wonderful" and "delicious" by visitors.

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 05:32:00 +0100
The 'wonderful' pub thriving under a former regular's management
The Halfway House in Rickmansworth has received plenty of praise since reopening earlier this year.

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 13:51:03 +0100
Council leader escapes potential vote of no confidence as meeting time runs out
The Labour leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, Jeremy Newmark, escaped a potential vote of no confidence yesterday (Wednesday, September 16).

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 15:55:00 +0100
Bushey teacher told undercover officer he 'abused a school pupil'
Former Bushey Meads teacher Matthew O'Kelly claimed he abused a pupil while discussing plans to rape a 10-year-old girl with an undercover officer. Police say no evidence was found.

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 16:00:00 +0100
Oversubscribed Hertfordshire school must change 'unreasonable' admissions rule
An oversubscribed Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, school must change its admissions rules after parents’ and the council’s objections were partly upheld.

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0100
More nostalgic videos of Watford nightlife 20 years ago
More nostalgic videos have been shared of revellers enjoying Watford's nightlife 20 years ago.

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 05:30:00 +0100
New 150-home neighbourhood behind school gets full approval
Plans for 150 homes behind Kings Langley School have been given final approval and can now go ahead.

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 11:45:00 +0100
Sale of land for 250-home development given go-ahead
Planned redevelopment of Bushey Golf and Country Club including 250 homes has been given the go-ahead.

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 17:34:33 +0100
'Out-of-control bonfire' which ripped through garden 'could have been much worse'
Three fire engines rushed to an “out of control bonfire” in Watford which ripped through a garden.

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 14:40:00 +0100
The 12 locations targeted for parking rule changes in new programme
New parking schemes could be introduced in 12 named areas across Three Rivers.

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 13:55:00 +0100
The 'little Watford business' with work showcased in SPACE and worldwide
Lamberts London Ltd is a “little business in Watford” with work showcased all around the world and even in space has earned a Royal Warrant.

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 13:40:00 +0100
House to become home for vulnerable children as plan approved
A Bushey house can be turned into a home for vulnerable children after plans were approved at the second time of asking.

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 11:30:00 +0100
Pickpocketing alert after woman's purse stolen and cards used
Herts Police have shared a pickpocketing alert after a thief stole a woman’s purse and used her cards in Radlett

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 11:20:00 +0100
Boy, 15, chased with hatchet by trio - arrest made
A trio armed with a hatchet reportedly chased a 15-year-old boy in Rickmansworth.

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 10:45:00 +0100
Popular Harry Potter-themed Airbnb appeals after being told it must shut down
The owners of a popular Leavesden Harry Potter-themed Airbnb have launched an appeal after being told it must shut down.

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 09:57:09 +0100
Watford trains disruption this weekend amid work to remove 'deteriorating' bridge
Major emergency work is set to disrupt trains between Watford and London Euston this weekend.

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 08:38:28 +0100
Herts convenience store loses alcohol licence over selling illegal cigarettes
A Borehamwood convenience store has lost its alcohol licence after selling illegal cigarettes.

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 07:53:44 +0100
Large property plan for road with £1.4m average house price withdrawn
Plans to knock down a Radlett bungalow for a large replacement have been withdrawn.

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 07:24:25 +0100
Michail Antonio banned from driving after failing to name Lamborghini driver
Watford FC footballer Michail Antonio has been banned from driving for six months after failing to identify the driver of his Lamborghini supercar when it was suspected of involvement in a motoring offence in central London.

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0100
'Incrediball' offers on You Garden's Hydrangeas...save up to £30
You Garden has been showcasing some excellent new varieties of plants recently and this week is another showstopper.

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 05:32:00 +0100
Watford has the most job vacancies for young people in Herts, new data reveals
New data has revealed the areas with the most and fewest job vacancies in the UK, with Watford leading the way in Hertfordshire.

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 16:51:25 +0100
Michail Antonio found guilty of failing to name Lamborghini driver to police
Watford forward Michail Antonio has been found guilty of failing to identify the driver of his Lamborghini supercar.

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 16:00:15 +0100
Double Watford FC Player of the Season winner Kevin Miller dies aged 57
Past clubs are mourning the sudden death of former Watford goalkeeper and Player of the Season winner Kevin Miller.

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 15:15:00 +0100
Watford's Michail Antonio at court for Lamborghini motoring crime trial
Michail Antonio has arrived at court to face an allegation he failed to identify the driver of a Lamborghini caught driving badly through London.

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 14:55:00 +0100
EIGHTH Greggs bakery branch to open in Watford under new plans
Yet another Greggs branch is set to open in Watford under new plans - the town's eighth.

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 14:32:07 +0100
Classic train to pick passengers up from Watford Junction next month
The Cumbrian Mountain Express train will be picking up passengers from Watford Junction on October 3.

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 14:26:28 +0100
Dangerous van seized on M25 near Watford found loaded with energy drinks
A van has been seized on the M25 in Hertfordshire after being found with a "monster load" of energy drinks.

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 13:45:00 +0100
Typhoon fighter stuns Watford residents flying low at 'incredible speed'
A Eurofighter Typhoon stunned Watford, South Oxhey, Croxley Green, and Leavesden residents as it roared overhead at “incredible speed”.

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 13:05:00 +0100
Store's 24/7 alcohol sales plan REFUSED amid ASB fears
Police concerns about antisocial behaviour have scuppered a Watford store’s bid to open around the clock and sell alcohol 24/7.

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 12:20:00 +0100
Police hunt illegal bikers racing around fields causing neighbours' misery
Herts Police are investigating how off-road motorcyclists are getting on to fields and causing misery for neighbours in Abbots Langley.

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 10:25:00 +0100
£800k to be spent on new café for park
Hertsmere borough councillors have agreed to spend £800,000 on building a new café at King George Recreation Ground, Bushey.

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 10:02:39 +0100
Popular restaurant 'proud' after scooping third straight Good Food Award
A highly-rated Indian restaurant is celebrating more success after being recognised with a Good Food Award for a third straight year.

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 09:30:00 +0100
Watford Junction cancellations to last for days amid track defects on either side
Major disruption to trains at Watford Junction is set to last all day because of defective track towards London Euston and Milton Keynes Central.

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 09:20:01 +0100
Classic cars to be showcased in Watford town centre this weekend
A "very special" range of classic cars is coming to Watford town centre this weekend (September 20).

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 08:34:28 +0100
Hertfordshire teenager revealed as new voice of Thomas the Tank Engine
A Hertfordshire teenager has been revealed as the new voice of Thomas the Tank Engine.

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 08:06:39 +0100
Details of Watford's Christmas lights switch-on confirmed
Watford’s Christmas lights switch-on date has been confirmed.

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 07:22:30 +0100
Watford business moves to new unit occupied by previous tenant for 53 years
A Watford locksmith has moved into a new home in the town.

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0100
Save up to £200pp on 5* cruise through Germany's Christmas markets
Riveria Travel’s Deal of the Week: Discover the magical ambience of Germany's traditional Christmas markets with their host of unique, inspired gift ideas, plus the stunning Rhineland in its wintry splendour.

home