Watford Observer

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 09:38:53 +0100
Man airlifted to hospital after 'serious' M25 lorry and motorbike crash
An air ambulance flew to a “serious” motorway crash that closed the M25 at the edge of Hertfordshire for hours.

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0100
Charming jewellery gifts for those Libra birthdays from Lily Charmed
We’re mid-way through September, and that means it’s almost time for a change in the astrological calendar.

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 05:30:00 +0100
Stonegate seeks new operator to make 'beloved' pub area's go-to destination
The owner of “beloved local pub” The Cother Arms in Watford is looking for a skilled operator to make it the area’s go-to destination.

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 09:31:07 +0100
Rare Royal Mint 50p coin selling for more than 300 times its face value
The rare Royal Mint 50p coin has sold for £160 on eBay, and there are thousands more out there that could be worth a small fortune

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 18:44:00 +0100
New dog grooming salon opens in Hertfordshire offering bespoke treatments
Experiences with her own dogs have led a young Hemel Hempstead entrepreneur to open a new grooming salon which focusses on natural products and treatments.

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 17:15:00 +0100
Impressive footage shows bridge over Watford railway lifted straight out
Impressive footage shows an enormous crane lift Oxhey Grange Footbridge straight up and out from above the railway.

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 15:20:00 +0100
Six arrested after police busted 'stolen vehicles ring' deny charges
Six men arrested after police busted a suspected stolen vehicles ring in Oxhey have pleaded not guilty.

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 14:15:00 +0100
Spaces shut as five-day 'essential maintenance' underway at car park
Motorists must find somewhere else to park as part of the Leavesden Country Park car park will remain closed until the weekend.

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 13:45:00 +0100
'Small village school' aiming to be named 'school of the year' at national awards
Small village school Bedmond Academy is celebrating after making the shortlist for a national School of the Year award.

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 11:30:00 +0100
John and Amy Hunt walking 120 miles to honour murdered family members
John and Amy Hunt are walking 120 miles for the foundation set up in memory of three members of the family who were murdered by Kyle Clifford in Bushey.

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 10:40:00 +0100
Motorway closed near Watford due to 'welfare incident'
Herts Police shut a motorway through Hertfordshire after a person was spotted on a bridge.

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 10:05:00 +0100
Motorway works on edge of Hertfordshire set between Wednesday and Sunday
Multiple sets of M1 works on the edge of Hertfordshire are expected to cause disruption this week.

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0100
Enjoy five fabulous days in the Isle of Wight with Just Go Holidays
Just a short ferry ride from the mainland, the Isle of Wight provides an immediate sense of escape.

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 05:30:00 +0100
Mum pays tribute to 'incredibly special' son who took his own life
A mum has paid tribute to her "incredibly special" son after he took his own life at Bushey station.

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 16:47:00 +0100
Nostalgic videos of two more Watford town centre venues 20 years ago
Nostalgic videos on social media have provided a glimpse of Watford's nightlife in 2006 and 2007.

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 16:00:00 +0100
The Burnham Bounce is real as Labour gains ground and Watford sees benefits
Matt Turmaine on the ‘Burnham Bounce’, Labour’s rise in the polls, cheaper bus fares, investment in mental health services and what it all means for Watford.

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 15:25:34 +0100
New casting call seeks extras for horror film being shot in Hertfordshire
A new casting call has gone out seeking extras to be part of a short horror film being shot in Hertfordshire.

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 13:35:16 +0100
'Avoid the area' warning as M25 closed in both directions near Watford - recap
The M25 is closed in both directions between junctions 21 and 22 in Hertfordshire with police warning motorists to avoid the area.

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 11:54:41 +0100
Best Sunday roasts in Hertfordshire list includes one near Watford
A new list has claimed to reveal where the three best Sunday roasts in Hertfordshire can be found.

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 10:25:03 +0100
Watford town centre bar applies to open until 3am
A Watford town centre venue has applied to stay open later and open earlier.

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.

home