Watford Observer
Thu, 22 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0100£300pp off Riviera's 13-night Thailand tour - hurry offer ends soon
Riviera Travel’s Deal of the Week: Soak up all that Europe’s most cultured river has to offer, with its wealth of grand Baroque architecture, medieval cities, picture-perfect towns and the sights that inspired Strauss and Mozart.
Thu, 22 Oct 2026 05:30:00 +0100Community fear their 'safe space' will be destroyed if 280-home appeal succeeds
Bushey's horse-riding community are hoping their “safe space” will not be turned into a housing development as an appeal verdict looms.
Wed, 21 Oct 2026 16:00:00 +0100CCTV shared after men 'went from pub to pub looking to cause trouble'
A group of eight men reportedly went from pub to pub “looking to cause trouble” in Oxhey as CCTV shows “threatening behaviour”.
Wed, 21 Oct 2026 14:50:00 +0100Man due in crown court over 'child sexual offences' after 'sting'
An Abbots Langley man is set to appear in crown court charged with child sexual offences.
Wed, 21 Oct 2026 14:40:00 +0100Vehicle's tyres 'stabbed with knife' before home ransacked in private estate
All four tyres of a parked vehicle were reportedly stabbed with a knife before a home was ransacked the next day in Moor Park.
Wed, 21 Oct 2026 12:37:00 +0100Sudden death of woman in Watford sparks police appeal
Detectives are appealing for information after Kelsey Smith, 36, died suddenly in Watford.
Mon, 19 Oct 2026 18:35:00 +0100Hertfordshire's best and worst Wetherspoon pubs based on Google Reviews
A new study has revealed the UK’s best and worst-rated Wetherspoon pubs — and how Hertfordshire’s pubs compare.
Wed, 21 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0100'Distressed' visitors 'lucky not to get trapped overnight' after aquadrome locked
No action will be taken after visitors were almost locked inside Rickmansworth Aquadrome overnight, Three Rivers District Council has said.
Wed, 21 Oct 2026 10:45:00 +0100Flat and house shut down amid 'persistent antisocial behaviour'
Herts Police have shut down two Bushey properties after neighbours’ woes with anti-social behaviour.
Wed, 21 Oct 2026 09:30:00 +0100Found: Public urged to look out for missing 13-year-old girl
Members of the public have been urged to keep an eye out as a 13-year-old girl from South Oxhey is missing.
Wed, 21 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0100Caroline Gardner socks half price at SockShop in seasonal offer
It’s officially sock season!
Wed, 21 Oct 2026 05:30:00 +0100Temple pleads for more time ahead of building sale deadline tomorrow
Watford Velmurugan Temple has pleaded for more time to fundraise with just over 24 hours left to try and buy its building.
Thu, 22 Oct 2026 09:17:22 +0100Rickmansworth plans two new flats and a rear extension in latest applications
Latest planning applications in Rickmansworth and Carpenders Park, Hertfordshire, include a defibrillator and bleed kit cabinet.
Thu, 22 Oct 2026 08:55:41 +0100Plans lodged to add six flats through rooftop extension at Watford block
Here are the latest planning applications validated by Watford Borough Council, including proposals for rear extensions, home alterations and new flats.
Tue, 20 Oct 2026 17:00:00 +0100Teenager punched as phone and wallet stolen in Cassiobury Park robbery
A teenager was assaulted during a robbery as his phone and wallet were stolen in Cassiobury Park.
Tue, 20 Oct 2026 16:15:00 +0100Harlequin blocked from putting up more signs over 'harmful proliferation of ads'
The council has blocked Harlequin from expanding the number of signs amid concern over “harmful proliferation of advertisements”.
Tue, 20 Oct 2026 15:20:00 +0100Plans for two homes for field behind pub garden submitted
Plans for two homes behind a Grade II listed pub in Chipperfield have been proposed.
Tue, 20 Oct 2026 14:40:00 +0100Drug dealer sentenced for intent to supply to school children
A teenage drug dealer from Bushey has been sentenced for intent to supply MDMA and cannabis to school children.
Tue, 20 Oct 2026 14:20:00 +0100Hertfordshire A roads 'among the UK's best', according to new DfT stats
Just three per cent of Hertfordshire’s A roads are in a poor condition according to the DFT, among the lowest in the country.
Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0100Independent town centre pub introduces food menu and extends opening hours
Watford town centre pub Reveal Bar has launched its first food menu and significantly extended its opening hours.
Tue, 20 Oct 2026 10:30:00 +0100Tesco plans new look for Express store
Plans to refresh the look of a Tesco store in Radlett have been submitted, including a modernised frontage.
Tue, 20 Oct 2026 10:20:00 +0100Man charged with attempting child sexual offences after paedophile hunter 'sting'
A 39-year-old Abbots Langley man has been charged with attempted child sexual offences after a paedophile-hunter sting.
Tue, 20 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0100Grain’s October offer has Full Fibre prices from just £11.99 a month
As household costs rise, here's one bill you could keep fixed until 2028.
Tue, 20 Oct 2026 05:30:00 +0100Unique specialist shop to open in former hairdressers unit
A specialist darts business is set to open at a former hairdressers unit in Oxhey “soon”.
Wed, 21 Oct 2026 16:56:12 +0100Watford to host vibrant Diwali festival with parade, performances and crafts
Watford Diwali Festival of Lights on November 1, 2026, features free crafts, cultural performances, a parade, rangoli lighting and theatre.
Wed, 21 Oct 2026 15:24:14 +0100West Herts charity walk raises more than £7,000 for children’s care
Big Little Trail on October 18 raises over £7,000 for paediatric NHS care in West Hertfordshire, supporting projects at Watford and Hemel Hempstead hospitals.
Tue, 20 Oct 2026 10:52:16 +0100Watford family history book retraces two generations through two World Wars
Lesley Dunlop’s Two Lives, Two World Wars, published October 26, explores her family’s wartime history.
Wed, 21 Oct 2026 09:46:43 +0100£45,000 raised for hospice care at star-studded charity golf day
Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care raises more than £45,000 at a charity golf day at The Grove, attended by Watford legend Luther Blissett and 104 guests.
Tue, 20 Oct 2026 14:17:27 +0100BBC to axe 3 major channels in huge shake-up as broadcaster makes £500m cuts
BBC to close BBC Three, Radio 4 Extra and BBC Scotland in spring 2027, moving content online while seeking £500m in savings.
Mon, 19 Oct 2026 17:18:16 +0100M25 drivers warned of overnight closures this week
Drivers face 31 planned M25 closures from October 19 to 22, with National Highways warning of overnight disruption to carriageways, slip roads and junctions.
Mon, 19 Oct 2026 15:44:32 +010010 hidden gems in Hertfordshire you have to visit at least once
From secret woodlands and wildlife-rich wetlands to literary landmarks and historic gardens, Hertfordshire is packed with hidden gems waiting to be explored.
Mon, 19 Oct 2026 14:50:00 +0100Abbey Line trains 'could be scrapped and replaced with trackless trams'
Hertfordshire County Council has confirmed the Abbey Line could eventually be replaced by a “trackless tram” service between Watford and St Albans.
Mon, 19 Oct 2026 14:10:00 +0100'Beloved' dog dies after bulldogs attacked as owner, 81, injured trying to save pet
An 81-year-old’s “beloved” dog died after being attacked by two bulldogs in Shenley Park, Radlett Lane, Shenley.
Mon, 19 Oct 2026 11:55:00 +0100Explosives arrest after bomb squad raid property near Hertfordshire
A man has been arrested on suspicion of an explosives offence after a bomb disposal team was called to the border of Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
Mon, 19 Oct 2026 11:30:00 +0100Found: Concern growing for missing girl, 16, not seen in four days
Concern is growing for a missing 16-year-old girl from Abbots Langley who has not been seen in four days.
Mon, 19 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +0100Person died in Watford Junction incident, police confirm
British Transport Police have confirmed a person was pronounced dead after a large emergency services presence was seen at Watford Junction.
Mon, 19 Oct 2026 10:10:00 +0100Watford teen sentenced over 'Nazi salute' as worshippers left synagogue
A Watford teenager has been fined after admitting to religiously aggravated harassment over a Nazi salute gesture outside a Borehamwood synagogue.
Mon, 19 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0100Just Go offers four-week winter sun breaks for the price of three
While the weather may have been milder recently, there’s no getting over the fact that cooler days and nights are coming.
Mon, 19 Oct 2026 05:31:00 +0100Historic Grade II listed pub could reopen next year
The owners of a Grade II listed pub have said they are keen to "bring it back to its former glory" by reopening it.
Sun, 18 Oct 2026 10:01:00 +0100'Brilliant' food praised at pub thriving under new management
Punters have been full of praise for The Estcourt Tavern since it reopened following a refurbishment last month.
Sun, 18 Oct 2026 05:30:00 +0100Hertfordshire residents targeted by 'fake police officers' sparks warning
Police have issued a warning to Hertfordshire residents after a spate of scam calls from fraudsters posing as officers.
Sun, 18 Oct 2026 07:00:00 +0100Full Ofsted report exposing 'racism and poor behaviour' at former outstanding school
Read the damning full Ofsted report for Watford's Parkgate Junior School.
Mon, 19 Oct 2026 15:31:06 +0100Watford residents asked to have their say on town centre alcohol ban renewal
Watford consults on renewing town centre alcohol ban, with PSPO targeting anti-social behaviour and public drinking; residents can respond until November 4.
Mon, 19 Oct 2026 15:20:43 +0100Watford to honour servicemen and women with Remembrance Sunday ceremony service
Watford Remembrance Sunday events take place on November 8, with a Peace Memorial service, wreath-laying, silence and WWI Tommy silhouettes planned.
Sat, 17 Oct 2026 17:00:00 +0100Inside the affluent and charming Hertfordshire village that's a celebrity hotspot
Discover why Hertfordshire’s Brookmans Park is a sought-after commuter village, home to Bukayo Saka and Alexandra Burke.
Sat, 17 Oct 2026 13:32:44 +0100Hertfordshire woman, 73, remembered as 'kind and caring' after death
Tributes have been paid to a woman who died following an alleged incident in Hitchin.
Sat, 17 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0100The best Watford-area businesses according to new awards
The best businesses in and around Watford have been named by a popular app.
Sat, 17 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0100Watford school makes top 100 in new national list - with six others also scored
Watford's secondary schools have been graded by a national newspaper, with one making the top 100 nationally.
Sat, 17 Oct 2026 05:31:00 +0100Major High Street store to close TODAY
Rickmansworth's TGJones store will close after today (October 17) as it becomes the latest to be axed as part of the high street chain's cost-cutting measures.
Sat, 17 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100Hertfordshire area among most desirable places - how much it costs to live there
St Albans has been named among the UK's most desirable places to live, but how much does it cost to live there?