The appearance of this pub may have changed but it is continuing to serve pints more than 170 years after it first opened.

The Watford Observer is delighted to share pictures from the archive at Watford Museum and this week we recall how the White Lion looked almost 100 years ago.

The museum’s volunteer archivist Christine Orchard said: “The White Lion was built in St Albans Road in 1850. It was in an area known as Watford New Town which was spreading out from the first railway station along this road.

Watford Observer: A more recent black and white image of the pubA more recent black and white image of the pub (Image: Watford Museum)

“One of the earliest landlords was James Brown. He was also a brush maker and probably continued his trade on the premises as did other family members and an apprentice.

“The original pub was smaller than the one we see today and it possibly just consisted of the right-hand side with the broad bay in front.

Watford Observer: How the pub looked in May 2021How the pub looked in May 2021 (Image: Google Street View)

“A Watford Observer advert indicates that there was stabling behind the pub but, by the time of this photo in the 1930s, it was used by Cassio Cars. Later still, the entrance was filled in completely and the pub extended.”

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