Watford Observer
Sat, 13 Jun 2026 07:00:00 +0100The 'yummy' and 'fantastic' café in Hertfordshire with beautiful meals
Batch Fifty Two in Hertfordshire has been described as "yummy" and "fantastic".
Sat, 13 Jun 2026 05:00:00 +0100Discover the 'wonderful' garden centre tea room in Hertfordshire that's a 'gem'
Mill End Plants and Café has earned praise for its tea room, which guests are calling "wonderful".
Sat, 13 Jun 2026 05:00:00 +0100Inside Hertfordshire’s ‘awesome’ top-rated museum with its own flight simulator
De Havilland Aircraft Museum in London Colney is Hertfordshire's top-rated museum and has been called awesome.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 17:20:00 +0100Watford fare dodgers to pay more than £8,000 as 5 in court on one day
Five Watford fare dodgers have been ordered to pay a total of £8,056 at Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 17:15:00 +0100Fundraiser launched after Hertfordshire dad, 34, dies unexpectedly on holiday
Jonas McDowall, 34, from Hemel Hempstead, passed away suddenly on June 5, leaving behind his partner and their eight-year-old daughter.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:58:00 +0100Soft play centre where animals died in fire 'did not have licence' for mini zoo
The Jungle Box in Buntingford reportedly did not have a licence for the animals it was keeping on site before a fire killed all but one of them.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:55:00 +0100Man 'seriously injured' falling from window while fleeing police in High Street
A man fell to Watford High Street from a window while trying to flee police, leaving him hospitalised with "serious" injuries.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:00:00 +0100Watford Junction drop-off parking spaces reopen after months-long closure
Previously blocked short-stay parking spaces at Watford Junction station, in Woodford Road, have reopened.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 14:50:00 +0100Hertfordshire Police looking for two wanted burglars on recall to prison
Herts Police are looking for two men with links to Watford and other Hertfordshire areas who are wanted on recall to prison.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 14:20:00 +0100Damning nursery report finds 'chaotic' handovers and kids 'appearing forgotten'
Ofsted has published a damning report for Step By Step nursery in Bushey, which needs “urgent improvement” in all areas.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 13:58:00 +0100Men charged with 'aggravated burglary' after gun discovered in double raid
Officers carried out two search warrants - one in Hemel Hempstead and Tottenham, north London - in connection with the incident in Normansfield Close on May 12.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 12:32:00 +0100Hertfordshire cow sanctuary near Watford hailed 'must-visit' in Instagram post
New Gokul Farm, based at Bhaktivedanta Manor in Letchmore Heath, featured in an Instagram post by content creator Sarad Dhakal.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:50:00 +0100Bushey man in court over cocaine after 'extensive' county lines investigation
A Bushey man has appeared in court over Class A drug supply after an “extensive” county lines investigation by Lincolnshire Police.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:40:00 +0100Pub near Watford named 'Hertfordshire's best' at national awards
A Hertfordshire village pub's manager has said he is "immensely proud" after it scooped a national award.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 09:57:58 +0100Second 'attempted murder' arrest after Hertfordshire attack
A woman has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in a second arrest over an attack in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 08:54:03 +0100Tourist who sexually assaulted seven-year-old boy in Hertfordshire jailed
A Norwegian man has been jailed for multiple sexual offences committed during a family visit to Hertfordshire.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 08:13:54 +0100'Growing concern' for vulnerable missing man
Hertfordshire Police have appealed for the public's help to find a "vulnerable" missing man last seen at his home in Bovingdon.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 07:30:01 +0100Expanding fish and chip chain set to open Watford store
Rapidly expanding fish and chip shop chain Mother Hubbard's looks set to open a new location in St Albans Road, Watford.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 06:00:00 +0100You Garden offer 'buy 10 get 10 free' bedding plants for £12.99
This week, You Garden is offering the opportunity to Mix n Match across a range of their garden-ready bedding.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 05:30:00 +0100Former High Street business to reopen inside the Harlequin today
Former Watford High Street business TUI is reopening inside the Harlequin today after closing its old branch.
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 05:31:00 +0100Luxurious four-bed family home in Watford with cinema room on sale for £1.1m
A four-bedroom semi-detached family home on High Road in Leavesden, Watford, has hit the market for £1,100,000.
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 18:35:00 +0100Community 'refuse to give up' on 'David and Goliath fight' with developer
Carpenders Park residents “refuse to give up” protecting the “thin green line” around their area from development ahead of a planning inquiry.
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 16:20:00 +0100Harlequin store bringing back clothing retailer's range years after all stores shut
Closed down High Street retailer Evans' range is being brought back at the Harlequin Yours Clothing shop.
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:52:23 +0100Crash causing M1 traffic delays near M25 junction - recap
Two lanes of the M25 southbound are shut due to a crash on the carriageway near the M25 junction.
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:00:00 +0100Baby tortoise miraculously survives soft play fire in Hertfordshire
A baby tortoise has been found alive after all animals were thought to have died in a fire at a Buntingford, Hertfordshire, soft play centre.
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 13:20:00 +0100Man banned from Watford over axe admits having machete after shoplifting arrest
Herts Police found a machete on an offender already banned from Watford for having an axe during an arrest over town centre shoplifting.
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 12:30:00 +0100Windows 'explode' as bus catches fire while on route
Firefighters tackled the blaze after a 306 bus caught light on its route through Bushey and "explosions" were heard.
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 11:51:00 +0100'Extremely aggressive' fundraiser breached code, regulator finds after police called
“Extremely aggressive” behaviour from a fundraiser with no permit has led to seven code breaches being identified by the Fundraising Regulator.
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 11:00:00 +0100Man killed by train after Hertfordshire court van escape named at inquest
A man killed by train in Hertfordshire after escaping from a court van on the A1(M) has been named at an inquest.
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 10:45:00 +0100Watford man in crown court over 'GBH and knife possession' after 'stabbing'
A Watford man is due in crown court over alleged GBH wounding and knife possession after a reported stabbing in Sheffield.
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:30:00 +0100'Attempted murder' probe - Herts Police looking for woman who may be able to assist
As a Berkhamsted attempted murder investigation continues, Herts Police are looking for a woman with links to Hemel Hempstead.
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 06:00:00 +0100Cruise to the 'sun-soaked' gems of the Mediterranean and save £500pp
Riviera Travel’s Deal of the Week: Enjoy a journey to explore clifftops and hillsides, wave-cut coastlines, and sun-soaked streets, all brimming with archaeological finds.
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 05:32:00 +0100School's 'flourishing' pupils praised in positive Ofsted
Bromet Primary School, on Oxhey Road, was visited by inspectors in April and received strong ratings across attendance, behaviour, early years provision and inclusion.
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 05:30:00 +0100Watford man set for crown court appearance over 'heroin and crack cocaine supply'
A Watford man is set to appear in crown court next month over drug supply offences.
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 10:31:07 +0100Why Watford is the place to be for culture and entertainment in June
Here is some of what you can expect from Watford's theatre scene this June.
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 10:45:18 +0100Watford-based National Lottery in biggest change in 25 years
Allwyn, the National Lottery operator based in Watford, has launched changes to its flagship Lotto draw, offering players two chances to win on every £2 line.
Wed, 10 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0100Major 225-home development sold as it nears completion
One of Watford’s major developments, delivering 225 homes in Sydney Road, has been sold as it nears completion.
Wed, 10 Jun 2026 17:46:00 +0100Hertfordshire soft play fire that killed all its animals - everything we know
Fire crews rushed to The Jungle Box, an indoorjungle-themed soft play playground on the Watermill Industrial Estate in Buntingford, just before 3.20am.
Wed, 10 Jun 2026 16:35:00 +0100Police and firefighters called to kids on abandoned building's roof
Herts Police and Herts Fire and Recue Firefighters with an aerial ladder platform were called out due to children “exploring” an abandoned Watford building.
Wed, 10 Jun 2026 15:38:00 +0100Rapist who attacked woman in Hertfordshire park jailed for nearly 10 years
The woman, a sex worker who cannot be named for legal reasons, was invited by Tapiwanashe Sibanda to a street near his home in Hatfield in August 2020.
Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:55:00 +0100Indian judge's daughter 'punched by masked man' in Watford amid 'blackmail'
Family members of retired Indian judge Gautam Patel have reportedly been targeted in a string of threats, assault, and burglary in Watford.
Mon, 08 Jun 2026 11:17:53 +0100Everything you need to know as new Watford Aldi store set to open this month
Everything you need to know as Aldi prepares to open its new Watford store later this month.
Wed, 10 Jun 2026 12:34:22 +0100All animals killed in fire at Hertfordshire soft play centre
Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue has confirmed that all animals have been killed in a fire at a Buntingford industrial estate this morning (June 10).
Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:40:28 +0100'Misleading commentary' criticised amid mosque plan by Hertfordshire park
“Misleading commentary” has been condemned amid plans for a mosque and community facility by Maxwell Park, Borehamwood.
Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:25:00 +0100Parents could be fined over dangerous parking near school, police warn
Police have issued a warning to parents over parking on zig-zag lines outside Newberries Primary School in Radlett.
Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:17:33 +0100Popular carnival returns this weekend - road closures and what you need to know
Everything you need to know including road closures ahead of this year's Abbots Langley Carnival, which takes place on Saturday (June 13).
Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:55:00 +0100Man arrested after 'offensive racial term' used in High Street pub
Herts Police arrested a man after an “offensive racial term” was allegedly used at The Pennsylvanian pub in Rickmansworth High Street.
Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:10:00 +0100Supermarket to close early today and tomorrow for improvements
A Lidl supermarket is set to close early tonight and tomorrow night as upgrades are underway.
Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0100Ten fire engines battling large blaze at Hertfordshire industrial estate
Ten fire engines have been sent to an industrial estate in Buntingford to tackle a fire in the early hours of this morning (June 10).
Wed, 10 Jun 2026 07:46:46 +0100Company fined over destruction of 13 mature trees at listed building
A business based in Harrow has been ordered to pay thousands of pounds for destroying 13 mature trees at a listed building in Chorleywood.