Watford Observer
Sun, 30 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000One of Watford's quirkiest cafés still flourishing amid cost challenges
The D20 Board Game Café in Queens Road, Watford, is continuing to bring board game players together ahead of its ninth birthday in January.
Mon, 01 Dec 2025 09:19:19 +0000Herts traffic amid motorway crashes and train cancellations - live updates
There are several incidents affecting traffic in Hertfordshire this morning, including M25 and A1M crashes and a Lioness Line closure.
Mon, 01 Dec 2025 05:30:00 +0000Pub and prominent café among recent leases put on market
A popular village pub and pair of prominent Watford businesses are among the business leases to have been put on the market in recent few weeks.
Sun, 30 Nov 2025 17:00:00 +0000£2m funding for ‘landmark’ Elstree Immersive Experience confirmed
Two million pounds in funding for a new Borehamwood & Elstree Film and TV Heritage Centre, including the Elstree Immersive Experience, has been signed off by Hertsmere Borough Council.
Sun, 30 Nov 2025 16:00:00 +0000First plans for new business building and ATM changes in Dacorum
Dacorum Borough Council has received a new set of planning applications including home extensions, loft conversions, tree works, ATM upgrades at Barclays, a proposed employment building, changes of use, and various property alterations across Hemel H...
Sun, 30 Nov 2025 15:00:00 +0000MP 'backing the budget and backing Watford'
Watford MP Matt Turmaine reacts to the budget in his latest column for the Watford Observer.
Sun, 30 Nov 2025 12:00:00 +0000Number of complaints among police in Herts rises
Complaints against Hertfordshire Constabulary rose higher than the national average this year, according to newly revealed statistics.
Sun, 30 Nov 2025 11:00:00 +0000Picture postcard view of market day in Watford a century ago
Picture postcard showing market day in Watford High Street in the late 1920s.
Sun, 30 Nov 2025 08:00:00 +0000Watford-area road closures and licencing applications among latest public notices
A premises licence for a new convenience store and several road closures in and around Watford are among the latest batch of public notices.
Sun, 30 Nov 2025 08:00:00 +0000Four-bed detached home with private green views for sale in Nascot Wood
A chain-free four-bedroom detached home in Watford’s sought-after Nascot Wood area is on the market for £980,000.
Sun, 30 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +0000Stray cats looking for a forever home - will you give them a chance?
Walnut and Cashew, two shy young cats rescued by the National Animal Welfare Trust, are looking for a quiet, loving forever home together.
Sun, 30 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +0000Messi and Trump among famous visitors to The Grove
Donald Trump, Lionel Messi and the England football team are among the famous visitors to The Grove hotel on the edge of Watford.
Sat, 29 Nov 2025 18:00:00 +0000Why dating today is harder than ever
An amusing reflection on how dating and romance have changed over the years — from beeping cars and wolf whistles to awkward online introductions — exploring how modern singletons navigate chivalry, etiquette, and confusion in today’s dating wo...
Sat, 29 Nov 2025 16:57:09 +0000Safety barriers at asylum hotels cost council more than £500k
Safety barriers around a small number of Hertfordshire hotels used to house asylum seekers cost the county council in excess of £500k, it has emerged.
Sat, 29 Nov 2025 16:00:00 +0000Harlequin among Muddy Stilettos' list of best places to see Santa
Muddy Stilettos has published its list of the best places to see Santa in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, including Watford's Harlequin shopping centre.
Sat, 29 Nov 2025 15:00:00 +0000Race against time to get Bushey Christmas lights up for big switch-on
A race against time is underway to get Christmas lights up in Bushey ahead of the big planned switch-on this Sunday (November 30).
Sat, 29 Nov 2025 13:00:00 +0000Most councils back four-unitary option ahead of local government shake-up
A plan to split Hertfordshire into four new unitary authorities is the most popular option among the county’s existing councils ahead of plans to shake up local government.
Sat, 29 Nov 2025 13:00:00 +0000Plans for blocks of flats and major industrial development in Hertsmere
Hertsmere Borough Council has received a new set of planning applications, including home extensions, loft conversions, tree works, drainage details, an industrial development in Elstree, and a new sports pavilion in Shenley.
Sat, 29 Nov 2025 12:00:00 +0000Nine snaps of contrasting colours to brighten up dull days
The days may often feel dull and grey at this time of year but there are still plenty of contrasts in colour to be enjoyed all around us.
Sat, 29 Nov 2025 11:00:00 +0000The highest-rated Indian restaurant in Herts serving 'fabulous' food
Abbots Tandoori is the highest rated Indian restaurant in Hertfordshire and is described as "fabulous".
Sat, 29 Nov 2025 11:18:19 +0000Trigger Point airs scenes filmed in Watford
Scenes for the third series of ITV drama Trigger Point were filmed in Watford, as well as elsewhere in Hertfordshire.
Sat, 29 Nov 2025 10:33:29 +0000Lib Dems apologise after activist caught ‘lying’ to resident ahead of by-election
A Liberal Democrat campaigner in Watford has been accused of “lying” to a resident ahead of the upcoming borough council by-election in Tudor ward.
Sat, 29 Nov 2025 10:28:10 +0000Major stretch of road to close for resurfacing
Resurfacing work is set to take place in North Watford's Kingswood Road next week, with a road closure set.
Sat, 29 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000New plans for home extensions and alterations in Watford
Watford Borough Council has received a new set of planning applications, including two-storey extensions, loft conversions, TPO tree works, conservation area tree felling, property alterations, and a High Street extractor system installation.
Sat, 29 Nov 2025 09:39:05 +0000No trains on Watford Junction overground line all weekend
Watford Junction passengers will face disruption this weekend as the entire Lioness Line is closed for maintenance work.
Sat, 29 Nov 2025 08:00:00 +0000Village pub owner's pride after taking over second venue
Zoe Eliasson, part owner of The Boot, in Sarratt, feeling 'proud of myself' after 'challenging' first few months also operating The Cock Inn.
Sat, 29 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +0000Known Harry Potter filming locations as Leavesden production continues
Filming for HBO’s Harry Potter TV show is based at Leavesden Studios but has also been heading out for many location shoots, including in Hertfordshire.
Sat, 29 Nov 2025 05:30:00 +00005 of the best day trips two hours away from Hertfordshire you can enjoy
From the Kent village of Chilham to the town of Burford in Oxfordshire, discover five of the best day trips less than two hours from Hertfordshire.
Fri, 28 Nov 2025 17:15:00 +0000Herts child rapist gets 16 years' prison for numerous sex offences
A child rapist from Hertfordshire has been jailed for 16 years over numerous offences dating back to 2003.
Fri, 28 Nov 2025 17:00:00 +0000Everything we know after 'knife attack' unearths Watford 'brothel'
Everything we know so far and the latest update from police after a "brothel" was discovered following a "knife attack" in Watford.
Fri, 28 Nov 2025 16:00:00 +0000195-home plan heads to appeal despite three refusals and 5,000 objections
Despite three Hertsmere Borough Council refusals and more than 5,000 objections, plans for 195 homes in Radlett are heading to appeal.
Fri, 28 Nov 2025 14:35:00 +0000Girl, 4, who stopped breathing due to genetic condition to front concert
A Watford girl who stopped breathing due to a rare condition will front a star-studded concert for Rainbow Trust Children's Charity.
Fri, 28 Nov 2025 14:47:42 +0000New supermarket applies to open in Watford town centre
A recently vacated unit in Watford town centre could become a new Asian supermarket, according to a licencing application.
Fri, 28 Nov 2025 14:00:00 +0000Hertfordshire issued yellow weather warning with heavy rain expected
The Met Office has issued a yellow rain warning for part of Hertfordshire this week.
Fri, 28 Nov 2025 12:30:00 +0000Brutal slingshot attack leaves woman's head 'pouring with blood' in road rage row
A woman's head "poured with blood" after a slingshot-wielding thug fired a marble through a car window before threatening to kill her partner.
Fri, 28 Nov 2025 12:01:21 +0000Budget a 'slap in the face' to disabled people told they can't have luxury
Chancellor Rachel Reeves removes high end cars from Motability Scheme in a move which makes people with disabilities feel like they are unworthy.
Fri, 28 Nov 2025 11:25:18 +0000Town centre shop fears closure amid lack of volunteers
The owner of a Watford town centre charity furniture shop has said it could be forced to reduce its operating days or even close permanently amid a lack of volunteers.
Fri, 28 Nov 2025 10:26:00 +0000Latest asylum seeker numbers in Herts hotels revealed
Latest Home Office data has revealed how many migrants are being housed in hotels across Hertfordshire, including in Watford, Three Rivers, Dacorum and Hertsmere.
Fri, 28 Nov 2025 10:15:00 +0000Chicken farm animal welfare fears 'taken seriously' as probe underway
Trading Standards are investigating further welfare concerns at a chicken farm after the death of a donkey earlier this month.
Fri, 28 Nov 2025 08:49:40 +0000Fault causes two days of cancellations on Watford Junction rail line
A railway line from Watford Junction is expected to be cancelled until the end of the day after a fault was first reported yesterday morning.
Fri, 28 Nov 2025 08:24:39 +0000'Urgent review' of 'accident hotspot' junction to go ahead after crash
An “urgent” review of safety measures at an “accident hotspot” A405 junction will go ahead after recent crashes.
Fri, 28 Nov 2025 07:36:53 +0000PM visits Bushey to speak to town's Jewish community
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was in Bushey yesterday to meet members of the area’s Jewish community.
Fri, 28 Nov 2025 05:32:00 +0000Detached 1930s house with 'bar room' for sale in Watford
A fully modernised three-bedroom detached home on Horseshoe Lane, Watford, is for sale for £800,000.
Fri, 28 Nov 2025 05:30:00 +0000Mosque plan support dwarfs objections as Highways gives green light
Highways have given the ok over traffic impacts as support comments outnumber objections to a mosque plan for the former St Thomas United Reformed Church.
Fri, 28 Nov 2025 07:50:00 +0000BLACK FRIDAY - 15% off You Garden’s top sellers
Don’t miss out on You Garden’s Black Friday offers which start today!
Thu, 27 Nov 2025 18:12:00 +0000Herts Police wanted list: eight people added this month
These eight people have been added to the Herts Police wanted list this month, with their faces shared by the force.
Thu, 27 Nov 2025 17:06:00 +0000Black Friday: 14 brilliant deals on offer at Harlequin Watford
Ahead of Black Friday, we have rounded up some of the deals you can find at Watford's Harlequin shopping centre.
Thu, 27 Nov 2025 16:00:00 +0000The beautiful Watford house where birds used to nest
Sparrow Pot Lodge was part of the Cassiobury Estate and stood where Whippendell Wood car park is just off Grove Mill Lane.
Thu, 27 Nov 2025 15:11:44 +0000New burger restaurant opening in Hemel tomorrow
Burger chain Big Juicy Burger is set to open a new restaurant in Hemel Hempstead tomorrow (November 28).
Thu, 27 Nov 2025 14:48:55 +0000Big-name retailer opens Harlequin store
Watford's Harlequin shopping centre has a new arrival after White Stuff opened a store.