The name of this pretty cottage lives on in Watford, even though it was lost to fire many years ago.

The Watford Observer is delighted to share pictures from the archive at Watford Museum and this week we recall Swiss Cottage.

The museum's volunteer archivist Christine Orchard said: "A cottage known as Swiss Cottage used to exist in Cassiobury Park and like the mill and the park gates was photographed numerous times.

Watford Observer: The illustration of the cottage from Penny MagazineThe illustration of the cottage from Penny Magazine (Image: Watford Museum)

"It had a visitor's room which was described in the Penny Magazine of 1838 as including a pair of Bolivar's boots and an umbrella made from the leaf of the Talipot tree.

"I believe that the cottage burnt down around World War Two, but we don’t know exactly when the cottage was fully demolished. If there was a fire in the 1940s some of the brick interior may have remained for many years after.

Watford Observer: The bridge over the river in Cassiobury Park with Swiss Cottage in the backgroundThe bridge over the river in Cassiobury Park with Swiss Cottage in the background (Image: Watford Museum)

"Strangely the name has persisted, and many people call the wooden house on the corner of Rickmansworth Road and Gade Avenue, Swiss Cottage. This cottage, however, is named Cassiobridge Lodge."

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