Watford Observer
Tue, 13 Jan 2026 05:30:00 +0000Every Hertfordshire eatery with a 1/5 or 0/5 food hygiene rating
All eateries in every area of Hertfordshire that currently have a food hygiene rating of 1/5 or worse according to the Food Standards Agency.
Tue, 13 Jan 2026 07:16:00 +0000Colours for 2026 revealed by Brewers Decorator Centres
What will be your colour for 2026?
Sun, 11 Jan 2026 14:37:39 +0000Council to spend £381k on four-bed Watford home to ease waiting list pressure
Watford Borough Council is set to spend £381,000 buying a Watford house for people in temporary or unsuitable accommodation.
Sun, 11 Jan 2026 12:30:00 +0000M25 closure near Watford among motorway works scheduled for this week
Hertfordshire M1, M25, and A1M closures will be in place next week for both emergency and scheduled works.
Sun, 11 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000Six pubs in Watford and nearby that we've loved and lost
A look back at six great pubs from the past in Watford, South Oxhey, Rickmansworth and Croxley Green that we've loved and lost.
Sun, 11 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0000Hertfordshire’s picturesque hidden village that promises a peaceful life
Braughing in Hertfordshire is often described as a charming and hidden village that offers a peaceful life.
Mon, 12 Jan 2026 17:13:00 +0000Five sites in and around Watford where 100+ homes could be built
These fives sites in the Watford area are all currently the subject of planning applications for 100 or more homes.
Mon, 12 Jan 2026 15:44:00 +0000Man caught in Hemel police chase admits multiple vehicle crimes
A Hemel Hempstead man has pleaded guilty to multiple vehicle crime offences including theft and dangerous driving.
Mon, 12 Jan 2026 13:50:00 +0000Man fighting for life after medical emergency at leisure centre
Police have confirmed that a man is in a critical condition following a "medical emergency" near South Oxhey leisure centre on Sunday evening (January 11).
Mon, 12 Jan 2026 12:25:00 +0000Red Cross building plan submitted with new CGI released
Formal plans have been submitted for Croxley Green's former Red Cross building to become homes, community space and offices.
Mon, 12 Jan 2026 13:07:02 +0000Three vehicle crimes in Watford spark police appeals
Hertfordshire Police are appealing for the public's help to solve four crimes in and around Watford from recent days.
Mon, 12 Jan 2026 11:00:35 +000015 pictures remembering Watford's greatest ever manager
15 pictures remembering Watford's greatest ever manager Graham Taylor on the ninth anniversary of his death.
Mon, 12 Jan 2026 10:55:00 +0000New TV show filmed near Watford set to air next week
Filming took place in Bovingdon and Tring for new Quest television series Guz Khan's Custom Cars, which is set to air next week.
Mon, 12 Jan 2026 09:55:00 +0000Herts man who died after plane crashed into reservoir named
A Hertfordshire man has been named as the victim of a fatal plane crash at Hanningfield Reservoir between Chelmsford and Billericay.
Mon, 12 Jan 2026 09:43:03 +00005 facts about Hertfordshire that you probably didn't know
Here are five facts about Hertfordshire you probably haven't heard of.
Mon, 12 Jan 2026 05:30:00 +0000Plan to build four-bedroom house in place of collapsed fire-damaged barn
Plans to knock down a collapsed fire-damaged barn in Aldenham and build a family home have been submitted.
Mon, 12 Jan 2026 05:30:00 +0000Watford High Street bar seeks permission to extend opening hours
Watford High Street’s new sports bar is looking to extend its opening hours and reopen the upstairs.
Mon, 12 Jan 2026 10:15:24 +0000Planning a 2026 holiday? Make it exciting with Shorefield
Everyone deserves something amazing to look forward to, and now’s the perfect time to start dreaming.
Sun, 11 Jan 2026 17:26:18 +0000New shop looks set to replace recently closed business
A new shop appears set to open in place of a recently closed Bushey High Street business.
Sun, 11 Jan 2026 15:43:26 +0000Hertfordshire rated on tackling potholes in new government ranking
Hertfordshire has been rated by the Government on how it tackles potholes as the government released a new mapping tool.
Sun, 11 Jan 2026 15:00:00 +0000'Watford needs parish councils without delay'
The chairman of Watford Conservatives explains why this year is 'politically significant' for the town in his first Watford Observer column of 2026.
Sun, 11 Jan 2026 13:50:54 +0000Plans to turn third Watford home in row into HMO
Plans to turn a third Watford home along a row into a HMO have been entered.
Sun, 11 Jan 2026 13:00:00 +0000Watford firm that told you to 'keep left'
A look back at Watford firm Bergo Ltd that manufactured street signs including 'keep left' bollards.
Sun, 11 Jan 2026 11:00:00 +0000Hertfordshire Good Food Guide restaurants offering deals this month
As part of the Good Food Guide's inaugural Restaurant Month, six of Hertfordshire's best eateries have unveiled special offers for January and February.
Sun, 11 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000The latest planning applications in Three Rivers
Latest Three Rivers planning applications: Rickmansworth, Watford and Croxley Green home extensions, conversions, and school padel courts updates.
Sun, 11 Jan 2026 09:55:18 +0000Police to carry out speed camera checks in hotspot road tomorrow
Herts Police are set to carry out speed checks in a known hotspot on Toms Lane, between Kings Langley and Bedmond, tomorrow.
Sun, 11 Jan 2026 09:10:42 +0000Watford Junction cancellations after 'fault' - recap
Watford Junction trains face delays after a fault with the signalling system was reported between Harrow & Wealdstone and Wembley Central.
Sun, 11 Jan 2026 09:00:00 +0000Controversial TikTok personality visits Watford restaurant
Azar Nazir - known for owning TikTok viral shop Wakey Wines - has paid a visit to Watford, praising a St Albans Road restaurant.
Sun, 11 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000Planned Hemel-area road closures among latest public notices
Planned road closures in Hemel Hempstead, Bovingdon and Chipperfield among latest public notices
Sun, 11 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000High Street bar up for lease after closing within months of launch
Watford High Street bar Jardin is up for lease after closing down within months of its launch.
Sun, 11 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0000Shy boy left at vet needs home
The National Animal Welfare Trust in Watford is seeking a new home for a one-year-old male cat named Portobello.
Sun, 11 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0000Spacious family house with equally expansive back garden hits market
A FIVE-bedroom detached home with a south-facing rear garden in Horseshoe Lane, Leavesden Green, has been listed with Zoopla for offers over £900,000
Sat, 10 Jan 2026 18:00:00 +0000'More refined' and higher paid jobs seem to be at risk of AI
You probably won’t remember, but a year or so ago I wrote a column about AI
Sat, 10 Jan 2026 15:10:00 +0000More than 1,000 sign Watford stations rezoning petition in 24 hours
More than 1,000 people signed a petition calling on TfL to rezone Watford Junction within 24 hours.
Sat, 10 Jan 2026 14:26:18 +0000House could be demolished for 16 to be built behind it
A developer could demolish a Sarratt home to build 16 more behind it if a planning application is approved.
Sat, 10 Jan 2026 14:00:00 +0000Latest planning applications submitted to Hertsmere Borough Council
Hertsmere Borough Council reviews planning applications for tree works in Radlett, Aldenham, and Elstree, including crown reductions and tree removals.
Sat, 10 Jan 2026 13:00:00 +0000How Hemel's main shopping area looked in early 1990s
Archive photos of Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, taken in 1992.
Sat, 10 Jan 2026 12:30:00 +0000Victorian-era former village sweet shop on market as 'delightful' home
Victorian Honeycombe Cottage, a former sweet shop in Sarratt village, is for sale at £560,000. Features period charm, two bedrooms, garden.
Sat, 10 Jan 2026 12:13:13 +0000Heavy traffic in Hertfordshire town as police called to crash - recap
Herts Police have warned motorists to avoid the area after a crash in a Hertfordshire town.
Sat, 10 Jan 2026 11:59:46 +0000Drug arrest after members of the public helped officers catch fleeing man
Herts Police arrested a man who tried to flee over drug offences in Watford after members of the public helped them catch him.
Sat, 10 Jan 2026 11:34:33 +0000Road reopens after large fallen tree trapped cars in estate
Metropolitan Station Approach, Watford, has reopened after a large tree fell across it, preventing vehicles leaving an estate.
Sat, 10 Jan 2026 10:17:12 +0000Victims discover burglars had searched home after 'loud crash'
Victims heard a “loud crash” upstairs before discovering burglars had searched part of their Chorleywood home.
Sat, 10 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000Planning applications lodged with Watford Borough Council
Here are the latest planning applications submitted to Watford Borough Council, including proposals for home extensions, conversions, and details related to previous permissions
Sat, 10 Jan 2026 09:33:30 +0000Police looking for missing man with Watford links
Police officers are looking for a missing man from Baldock with links to Watford.
Sat, 10 Jan 2026 09:00:00 +0000New 70-home plan submitted for field near pub
Plans have been submitted for 70 homes in South Oxhey, with a field near the Load of Hay pub earmarked for development.
Sat, 10 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000Pub operator delighted with community support after reopening his local
Seven months after reopening The Halfway House, the new operator says his team’s success has “surprised ourselves”.
Sat, 10 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0000Camera club captures super snaps of winter weather to start 2026
Nine super photos on the theme of winter weather taken by Watford Observer Camera Club members in Watford and elsewhere.
Sat, 10 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0000The cosiest pub in Hertfordshire praised for its ‘outstanding’ food
The Alford Arms in Berkhamsted is regarded as one of Hertfordshire’s cosiest pubs and is featured in the Michelin Guide.
Sat, 10 Jan 2026 05:00:00 +0000Free day of fun activities at Watford Leisure Centre
A free day of activities is on offer for all ages at Watford Leisure Centre - Woodside on Saturday, January 17.
Thu, 08 Jan 2026 19:00:00 +0000Village near Watford in top five of 'most desirable places to live' list
The Telegraph has published a new list of "Britain's most desirable towns", with Chorleywood coming in at 4th.