Many places of entertainment have closed their doors over the years including these two that were located next to each other in a Watford road.

The Watford Observer has again joined forces with its friends at Watford Museum to look back at structures, objects or businesses from the town’s past that have either disappeared or been relocated and this week we recall a Tolpits Lane pub and a social club located in a hall next door.

The museum’s volunteer archivist Christine Orchard said: “This image of Tolpits Lane shows two places of social entertainment that have closed.

“The pub in the background at the time of the photo was known as the Highwayman. Later it became the Jolly Friars, then The Swallows. It closed in 2006 and a new building has been erected in its place.

Watford Observer: How the hall looked in August 2008How the hall looked in August 2008 (Image: Google Street View)

“The other building is Holy Rood church hall and social centre. I understand that there had been a social club held here for many years but it was sadly closed a year ago.”

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

Visit the Museum Facebook page or website www.watfordmuseum.org.uk to see more historic photos.