It may be difficult to imagine but this picture shows what is now a major road in the heart of Watford.

The Watford Observer has again teamed up with Watford Museum and is delighted to showcase some pictures from its archive – this week it's a 130-year-old image of Lower High Street.

The museum's volunteer archivist Christine Orchard said: "The Lower High Street, which in this view is looking toward the river Colne, today appears much wider as the buildings on the left-hand side are set much further back from the road (the fire station is here now).

Watford Observer:

Lower High Street in May 2021. Picture: Google Street View

"This photograph is dated June 1889 and at this time there were many different trades. The usual greengrocers, bakery and butchers shops could be found in this area but also a fellmonger and woolstapler, a saddle maker. A brewer's drayman lived nearby (Sedgwick's brewery was just across the road and Benskins a little further into town), as did an iron moulder and basket maker."

Watford Museum is open Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.