Watford Observer
Sun, 18 Jan 2026 09:31:03 +0000Watford man one of two charged over Herts pub burglary
A Watford man is one of two people who have been charged over a burglary at a pub in St Albans.
Sun, 18 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000Planned Watford-area road closures among latest public notices
Extensive sections of major roads are among the latest planned road closures in Watford and Rickmansworth in our round-up of public notices.
Sun, 18 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0000Gentle giant hoping to find his forever home
Meet Hugo, a three-year-old mastiff mix at National Animal Welfare Trust seeking an adult-only home. Affectionate, dog-friendly, and ready to adopt.
Sun, 18 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0000A stunning six-bed house in one of Watford's most desirable areas for £1.5m
Six-bedroom detached house for sale on Cassiobury Estate, Watford. £1.5m, chain-free, large plot, modernisation required, near top schools and transport.
Sun, 18 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0000Historic Hertfordshire hamlet you’ve never heard of ideal for a peaceful wander
The hamlet of Cow Roast in Hertfordshire is perfect for a peaceful wander and has a rich history.
Sat, 17 Jan 2026 16:00:00 +0000New padel club with seven courts set to open
A new padel club is set to open in Radlett this spring, offering seven courts.
Sat, 17 Jan 2026 18:00:00 +0000Is our overkill of celebrating awareness days a little pointless?
Opinion: Are awareness days—like International Women's Day, World Stroke Day, and others—meaningful, or have they become empty gestures?
Sat, 17 Jan 2026 17:02:00 +0000Five-year-old says Watford 'smells like wee' in viral clip
A five-year-old boy has said Watford "smells like wee" in a viral clip from Rossi D Wood's There I've Said It podcast.
Sat, 17 Jan 2026 16:00:00 +0000The latest planning applications in Hertsmere
Here are the latest planning applications submitted to Hertsmere Borough Council, featuring a wide range of developments this week.
Sat, 17 Jan 2026 13:59:11 +0000Police confirm reason for emergency service presence in Watford road
Herts Police have confirmed why the public have been asked to avoid Bentine Lane in Watford.
Sat, 17 Jan 2026 14:18:22 +0000McDonald's manager wins prestigious award and Vegas trip
The manager of Borehamwood's McDonald's restaurant has been rewarded with a trip to Las Vegas after winning a prestigious award.
Sat, 17 Jan 2026 12:08:40 +0000Nine-bed HMO plan withdrawn for second time amid backlash
Controversial plans for a nine-bed HMO in Kings Langley have been withdrawn for a second time.
Sat, 17 Jan 2026 10:44:12 +0000Teenager dies after three-vehicle crash in Hemel
A 17-year-old boy has died after a serious crash in Gaddesden Row, Hemel Hempstead.
Sat, 17 Jan 2026 10:21:33 +0000Disruption impacting Watford Junction train lines amid two incidents
A train fault is causing disruption this morning on the Abbey Line between Watford Junction and St Albans Abbey.
Sat, 17 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000Plans submitted for children's home among applications in Watford this week
Watford Borough Council: Latest planning applications include home extensions, new signage at Safestore UK, changes of use, and property alterations in Watford.
Sat, 17 Jan 2026 09:54:53 +0000Prolific fare dodger from Herts faces jail over more than 100 offences
A prolific fare dodger from Hatfield in Hertfordshire is facing jail over 112 convictions for not paying for tickets on journeys spanning nearly two years.
Sat, 17 Jan 2026 09:00:00 +0000Plan for second home in Watford road to become children's home
Plans have been submitted to turn a Watford house into a home for vulnerable children after a similar proposal was approved elsewhere in the road.
Sat, 17 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000Village pub still thriving after 160 years at heart of the community
The leaseholders of The Plough in Belsize explain why they have no regrets about taking over the running of a pub at the centre of its community.
Sat, 17 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0000Nine wonderful winter weather photos to enjoy
The snow has disappeared - for now - but the change in the weather has not impacted the quality of the snaps taken by our talented photographers.
Sat, 17 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0000The lovely Hertfordshire walk that takes you through ancient woodland
The Fir and Ponds Wood walking route takes you through woodland, meadows and is perfect for spotting wildlife.
Sat, 17 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0000The 'fabulous' Hertfordshire hidden gem café on a farm
Leavened Café at Lannock Farm, Hertfordshire, has been described as a wonderful hidden gem café.
Sat, 17 Jan 2026 05:00:00 +0000Children clean up on sponsored walk and litter pick
Kings Langley School pupils raised £4,436 for St Albans Mencap with a 7.5km sponsored walk, supporting SNAP and Trinity schemes for learning disabilities.
Fri, 16 Jan 2026 17:45:00 +0000Pictures from scene and everything we know after M25 lorry fire
The M25 in Hertfordshire has been closed for hours this afternoon after an articulated lorry caught fire.
Fri, 16 Jan 2026 17:30:00 +0000Data centre looks set to be built in Watford industrial estate
A data centre appears to be on the way in Watford Business Park after it was confirmed building one would be lawful.
Fri, 16 Jan 2026 17:15:00 +0000'Legendary Watford nightclub' put up for sale for £2.7m
Another “legendary Watford nightclub” in The Parade, High Street, is up for sale, with a £2,695,000 price tag.
Fri, 16 Jan 2026 15:42:07 +0000Victim 'seriously injured' after crash near Hemel - recap
Herts Police have closed Gaddesden Row, to the northwest of Hemel Hempstead, after a crash.
Fri, 16 Jan 2026 14:14:45 +0000Firefighters tackle huge lorry fire as motorway shut
Firefighters have tackled a lorry blaze after it shut the M25 in Hertfordshire.
Fri, 16 Jan 2026 13:30:04 +0000Motorway closed amid lorry fire - Recap
The M25 is currently closed in Hertfordshire due to a lorry fire between Waltham Cross and Potters Bar.
Fri, 16 Jan 2026 13:22:22 +0000Watford Junction cancellations expected 'until end of day' due to broken rail
More than a dozen trains have been cancelled as a broken rail is set to cause Watford Junction disruption all day.
Fri, 16 Jan 2026 12:25:00 +0000Huge green belt facility refused after almost 1,000 objections
Hertsmere Borough Council's planning committee has refused plans for a Battery Energy Storage System in Radlett after 924 objections.
Fri, 16 Jan 2026 11:47:45 +0000'Sickening' people smuggler extradited after Hemel Hempstead arrest
The NCA have confirmed the extradition of a “sickening” people smuggling gang member arrested in Hemel Hempstead.
Fri, 16 Jan 2026 11:45:00 +0000Friends turn cooking passion into food business launching tonight
Two friends will turn a passion for Japanese cooking into new local business Zen.Go at The Kitchen at Inspired, Kings Langley, tonight.
Fri, 16 Jan 2026 11:21:55 +0000In memoriam: Death notices in the Watford Observer
The Watford Observer has published four death notices in the last seven days.
Fri, 16 Jan 2026 11:14:00 +0000Public meeting confirmed over closure of Labour club after 63 years
A public meeting is to be held later this month regarding the planned closure of South Oxhey's Labour club.
Fri, 16 Jan 2026 10:20:00 +0000Six-person HMO plan approved in North Watford road
Planning officers have approved an application to turn a North Watford house into a six-person HMO.
Fri, 16 Jan 2026 09:53:11 +0000Date set as one of the area's biggest events announces 2026 return
One of the biggest events on Southwest Hertfordshire’s calendar, Croxfest, has announced the date for its 2026 return.
Fri, 16 Jan 2026 08:48:53 +0000Rescheduled road closures postponed for SECOND time
The planned closure of a Watford road for four days of resurfacing work has been postponed for a second time.
Fri, 16 Jan 2026 08:34:22 +0000Hemel robbery sparks police appeal
Police are appealing for the public's help after four men wearing "ski type masks" pushed a man off his pedal cycle and stole his phone.
Fri, 16 Jan 2026 07:23:51 +0000Person dies after being hit by train near Watford Junction
A person has been hit by a train between Watford Junction and Milton Keynes Central.
Fri, 16 Jan 2026 05:30:00 +0000Fears for 'village's future' as 600-home scheme on verge of approval
With plans for 600-homes by Whippendell Wood appearing a week away from approval, residents are “extremely anxious” for their village’s future.
Fri, 16 Jan 2026 07:19:00 +0000Rose of the Year 2026 'Coral Gardens' is also You Garden’s Plant of the Month
With its breath taking scent, non-stop blooms and unbeatable disease resistance, it’s easy to see why ‘Coral Gardens’ is their Plant of the Month for January. This stunning Floribunda rose combines intoxicating fragrance, continuous colour, and...
Thu, 15 Jan 2026 18:17:00 +0000New plan to change use of former National Bobath Cerepal Palsy Centre site
Plans have been submitted for the former National Bobath Cerebal Palsy Centre in Watford.
Thu, 15 Jan 2026 17:00:00 +0000New café opens with freshly roasted coffee and food made in-house
Melto Café opens on Watford High Street, offering freshly roasted coffee, daily baked treats, brunch, and artisan pastries. Grand opening attended by Mayor.
Thu, 15 Jan 2026 16:25:00 +0000Herts pubs named among UK's best after man visits every Good Beer Guide spot
After drinking in every CAMRA Good Beer Guide pub over six years, a real ale fan has named two Hertfordshire boozers among the best.
Thu, 15 Jan 2026 16:00:00 +0000How road developments changed Peace Hospice appearance
How changes to Rickmansworth Road have altered the appearance of Rennie Grove Peace Hospice in Watford.
Thu, 15 Jan 2026 15:32:25 +0000National Pothole Day - the pothole-filled roads Watford motorists fear to drive
Motorists have named the Watford area's worst roads for potholes for National Pothole Day.
Thu, 15 Jan 2026 14:25:00 +0000Hertfordshire market report shows why developers want to build in Watford
Hertfordshire towns - and Watford in particular - have been named as investment hotspots in a report on the county's housing market.
Thu, 15 Jan 2026 13:55:00 +0000Just ONE littering fine handed out in Watford in almost six years
Just one fine has been handed out over littering in Watford in almost 6 years, figures have revealed.
Thu, 15 Jan 2026 13:12:00 +0000Nursery takes 'difficult decision' to close permanently
A Watford nursery has confirmed it has taken the "difficult decision" to permanently close at the end of March.
Thu, 15 Jan 2026 12:37:00 +0000MP and mayor clash over Watford General after PMQs praise
Watford's MP Matt Turmaine has been criticised by the town's mayor Peter Taylor for not using his question to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to raise the rebuild of the town's hospital.