History

The One Crown is believed to be Watford's oldest pub.

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New landlord confirmed for Watford's 'oldest pub'

Market Place with George Longley's draper's shop, 71 High Street, 1890s. image: Watford, A Pictorial Record, Festival of Britain Committee, Borough of Watford, 1951.

Market Place with George Longley's draper's shop, 71 High Street, 1890s. image: Watford, A Pictorial Record, Festival of Britain Committee, Borough of Watford, 1951.

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When a tragedy and riot happened in Watford

Malcolm spent three and a half years lovingly restoring the former family car.

Malcolm spent three and a half years lovingly restoring the former family car.

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Car enthusiast, 95, commended for restoring father's 1930 classic coupe

The historic building was previously sold with a £950,000 guide pride after a £2 million revamp in 2020.

The historic building was previously sold with a £950,000 guide pride after a £2 million revamp in 2020.

Historic Watford building up for sale again after school plans submitted

The flypast was part of a series of RAF memorial flights.

The flypast was part of a series of RAF memorial flights.

WWII-era bomber spotted flying overhead in striking video

Hundreds line High Street for the procession to a memorial service for Queen Victoria

Hundreds line High Street for the procession to a memorial service for Queen Victoria

Extraordinary scene when Watford mourned the death of a Queen

Paul Welsh MBE, columnist and chairman of the Save Elstree Studios campaign, has died aged 71

Paul Welsh MBE, columnist and chairman of the Save Elstree Studios campaign, has died aged 71

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Death of 'towering figure' - the columnist who saved film studios

Chris with his wife Fiona

Chris with his wife Fiona

Artist seeks to show off Hertfordshire's hidden history with fantasy-style map

Benskins Plume of Feathers public house, 8 West Street, Dunstable, 1915. By 'Kay'

Benskins Plume of Feathers public house, 8 West Street, Dunstable, 1915. By 'Kay'

Old postcards prompting more questions than answers

Roger Middleton shows JJ Chalmers the manual hand pump

Roger Middleton shows JJ Chalmers the manual hand pump

Watford museum features in new royal documentary

Memorial to Caroline Gearey, Chipperfield church. Image: Three Rivers Museum/Pauline Szelewski

Memorial to Caroline Gearey, Chipperfield church. Image: Three Rivers Museum/Pauline Szelewski

Story behind memorial to mother of 11 children

One Bell public house on left, now Taco Bell, September 2023. Image: Robbie Dunlop

One Bell public house on left, now Taco Bell, September 2023. Image: Robbie Dunlop

The Watford arsonist who received the 'extreme penalty of the law'

The D-Day ensigns flying out TS Renown

The D-Day ensigns flying out TS Renown

Precious D-Day craft flags discovered in Watford storage room

19th century Kilmarnock coat of arms goods bag seal found in Oxhey

19th century Kilmarnock coat of arms goods bag seal found in Oxhey

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The tokens offering a fascinating insight into a long-lost age

Beechfield Schoolchildren at the Peace Memorial.

Beechfield Schoolchildren at the Peace Memorial.

Flag raised at 'emotional' D-Day ceremony in Watford

Luther Blissett with the Veterans outside the Poppy Factory

Luther Blissett with the Veterans outside the Poppy Factory

How the 80th anniversary of D-Day will be marked in the Watford area

David Greenhill was managing director of the Sun Engraving Company when the firm produced Tactical Targets for D-Day

David Greenhill was managing director of the Sun Engraving Company when the firm produced Tactical Targets for D-Day

Watford printing firm's crucial contribution to D-Day

John Cooper’s new book contains more than 150 iconic images from World War II

John Cooper’s new book contains more than 150 iconic images from World War II

New book captures Watford's response to World War Two

The opening of Rickmansworth Police Station 1952. Image: Hertfordshire Police Historical Society, Neil Hamilton Collection

The opening of Rickmansworth Police Station 1952. Image: Hertfordshire Police Historical Society, Neil Hamilton Collection

How we were policed in the past

Charles C Smith died on March 31 aged 102.

Charles C Smith died on March 31 aged 102.

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Tributes to D-Day veteran who died aged 102

Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.

Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.

Elstree Studios

'Star-studded parties' to celebrate Herts film studios' 100th birthday

Van Kannel revolving door at Slater's Restaurant, Baltic House, 27 Leadenhall Street, London EC3. Image: Watford & Bushey Pictorial Record, 1915

Van Kannel revolving door at Slater's Restaurant, Baltic House, 27 Leadenhall Street, London EC3. Image: Watford & Bushey Pictorial Record, 1915

How a revolutionary door links Watford to Titanic

The proposals were said to pose

The proposals were said to pose

Plans for listed building rejected over 'unacceptable harm' fears

The latest Watford Museum on Tour will look at Watford High Street

The latest Watford Museum on Tour will look at Watford High Street

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Dive into Watford's history with new high street exhibition

Sophie took over as landlady at The Own Crown two years ago.

Sophie took over as landlady at The Own Crown two years ago.

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Inside 'Watford's oldest pub' and its revamped offering

The train holds the post-war speed record for steam locomotives on British Railways.

The train holds the post-war speed record for steam locomotives on British Railways.

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'Incredible sight' as iconic 1930s train passes Watford Junction

Graham Young, the St Albans Poisoner, killed two people in the early 1970s.

Graham Young, the St Albans Poisoner, killed two people in the early 1970s.

Amazon Prime releases new documentary on Herts killer Graham Young

The £1 million renovations could start in March if approved by the council.

The £1 million renovations could start in March if approved by the council.

Listed buildings

Care home eyes £1m revamp as planning app submitted

Charles III, then Prince of Wales, on a visit to the Purcell Music School in 1998

Charles III, then Prince of Wales, on a visit to the Purcell Music School in 1998

King Charles III

A look back at times King Charles III visited the Watford area

John and Sophie White in 1891. Image: Three Rivers Museum

John and Sophie White in 1891. Image: Three Rivers Museum

Why a farmer's diaries will provide lessons for the 21st century

Another well attended bazaar in the Clarendon Hall, 1904, by Frederick Downer

Another well attended bazaar in the Clarendon Hall, 1904, by Frederick Downer

Recipes for success - and alarm - in the past

In the old style: working boats at Croxley Green. Image: Fabian Hiscock

In the old style: working boats at Croxley Green. Image: Fabian Hiscock

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The importance of the canal for more than 200 years

Peter Taylor joked about getting the Cassiobury House stairs back.

Peter Taylor joked about getting the Cassiobury House stairs back.

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Watford mayor makes tongue-in-cheek Elgin Marbles joke

The postcard of Vicarage Road with the cemetery on the left. Image: Watford Museum

The postcard of Vicarage Road with the cemetery on the left. Image: Watford Museum

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A tranquil view of one of town's busiest roads

St Albans Road at the junction with Langley Road to the left c1910

St Albans Road at the junction with Langley Road to the left c1910

Looking back at a major road in quieter times

A horse-drawn fire engine responds to an emergency

A horse-drawn fire engine responds to an emergency

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When town was served by High Street fire station

Clarendon Road looking towards Beechen Grove. Image: Watford Museum

Clarendon Road looking towards Beechen Grove. Image: Watford Museum

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Rare picture of road before well-known landmark was built

The demolition of Mount Pleasant, Rickmansworth in 1963. Image: Three Rivers Museum

The demolition of Mount Pleasant, Rickmansworth in 1963. Image: Three Rivers Museum

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On the trail of an artists' rest home

Workers at Watford Tunnel Face, June 6, 1837. Image: L & NW Railways, January 1905

Workers at Watford Tunnel Face, June 6, 1837. Image: L & NW Railways, January 1905

Strange goings on in Watford

The Grand Union Canal is said to be haunted by the ghost of Jack O'Cassiobury. Picture: Watford Museum

The Grand Union Canal is said to be haunted by the ghost of Jack O'Cassiobury. Picture: Watford Museum

Where are Watford's 'most haunted' places?

The Rookery in the early 1900s. Image: Watford Museum

The Rookery in the early 1900s. Image: Watford Museum

A glimpse at how life was in the Rookery

Winter scene: Chorleywood Common. Image: Rickmansworth Historical Society/Geoff Saul collection

Winter scene: Chorleywood Common. Image: Rickmansworth Historical Society/Geoff Saul collection

How extreme weather has affected us in the past

The smashed windows of the Leathersellers' Arms in November 1962

The smashed windows of the Leathersellers' Arms in November 1962

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The pub that stood near to where a fire station is today

Durban Road West looking across Whippendell Road into Durban Road East. Image: Watford Museum

Durban Road West looking across Whippendell Road into Durban Road East. Image: Watford Museum

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A rare glimpse of how a well-known crossroads once looked

Radlett and District Museum is hosting the exhibition 200 years on.

Radlett and District Museum is hosting the exhibition 200 years on.

'Grisly' local murder investigated in new exhibition

Rickmansworth silk mill, as Franklins bottling plant, 1980s. Image: Three Rivers Museum

Rickmansworth silk mill, as Franklins bottling plant, 1980s. Image: Three Rivers Museum

Looking back at where we used to work

The family wedding photo showing bridesmaids Marjorie Allen, centre, and Ethel Allen, right.

The family wedding photo showing bridesmaids Marjorie Allen, centre, and Ethel Allen, right.

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Do you recognise anyone in this beautiful wedding photo?

'Once in a lifetime!': Man, 68, finds gold coin hoard worth £30,000 on Bucks land

'Once in a lifetime!': Man, 68, finds gold coin hoard worth £30,000 on Bucks land

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'Once in a lifetime!': Man, 68, finds gold coin hoard worth £30,000

London Orphan Asylum chapel and drive, 1904

London Orphan Asylum chapel and drive, 1904

The school that lives on through a residential estate

Summer harvest thought to have been captured from St Albans Road in August 1918

Summer harvest thought to have been captured from St Albans Road in August 1918

Reminder of town's rural past taken along what is now a major road

W Tucker carriage builders on the corner of Queens Road and Prince Street. From Shopping in Watford, published 1891. Image: Watford Museum

W Tucker carriage builders on the corner of Queens Road and Prince Street. From Shopping in Watford, published 1891. Image: Watford Museum

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A street corner scene still recognisable today

Merry Hill Road, Bushey, c1905, where William Ernest Blackburn CBE lived

Merry Hill Road, Bushey, c1905, where William Ernest Blackburn CBE lived

Looking back at some industrious local people from the past

A Hurricane aircraft was spotted over South Oxhey, likely to be linked to a Battle of Britain flypast.

A Hurricane aircraft was spotted over South Oxhey, likely to be linked to a Battle of Britain flypast.

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RAF aircraft recorded flying over town

Cassio Bridge over the River Gade looking towards Rickmansworth Road

Cassio Bridge over the River Gade looking towards Rickmansworth Road

The bridge over a river that became a major road