Historical pictures of pubs from the past in Watford

From shops and cinemas to views of roads that have often changed beyond recognition, we hope you are continuing to enjoy these images and they bring back some memories.

Having revisited some historical pictures of pubs in the town last year, here is another batch with the original captions kindly provided by the museum’s volunteer archivist Christine Orchard.

The Angel

The Angel beer house in 1893 (Image: Watford Museum)

Christine said: “The Angel beer house was on the Lower High Street and in this 1893 photograph can be seen to the left of the lamp post. The scene, which had probably been the same for many decades, altered around 1910 when the pub was pulled down and a new house built. Beyond it, to the right of the lamp post, the two-storey building was also rebuilt. I believe this is where George Ausden's is now located. The photograph was taken by Watford architect, A Whitford Anderson.”

READ MORE: Pubs pictured from Watford's past revisited

The Railway Tavern

The Railway Tavern c1920 (Image: Gregg Couper & Co/Watford Museum)

Christine said: “The Railway Tavern is not the name this pub started with when it was opened in 1854 and may simply have been ‘somebody’s’ beer house. The current High Street station was opened next to the pub in 1862 and by 1871 the pub had been renamed and was run by George Foreman, a carpenter journeyman and licenced victualler. By 1881 Henry Robertson was landlord and remained there into the early 1900s.

“This photograph shows the pub around 1920 but in 1937 the front must have needed at lot of repairs after a car had ‘had an argument’ with a bus and crashed into the building. This image comes from an official town guide and is one of many Watford photographs produced by Gregg Couper & Co.”

The King William

The King William IV c1930 (Image: Watford Museum)

Christine said: “The King William pub was right at the end of the High Street, almost tucked under the viaduct at Bushey Arches. It actually predates the viaduct and originally seems to have been a beer house. By 1840, it was owned by John Dyson and at this time was known as the King William IV.

“Dyson died in the late 1860s and his brewing business and pubs were purchased by Joseph Benskin – this may have been when the pub’s name changed to the King William. The pub, had a number of landlords and I believe became known locally as the ‘King Billy’. It closed in 1959 but the building is still there and, up until recently, had been the premises of a tool hire company.”

The Cricketers Arms

The Cricketers in the 1930s (Image: Watford Museum)

Christine said: “The Cricketers Arms was originally known as the Masons Arms after the trade of the first landlord. The pub’s name changed in 1860s and by 1871 it was tenanted by John Bonham Ryder, beer house keeper with his young wife and their daughter, just 11 months old.

“The pub faced onto Watford Fields and could be reached either from Watford Field Road or down Fox Alley from the High Street – the Benskin brewery building beyond was located on the land behind Watford Museum. The photo is dated to 1935 and is part of the museum’s Benskins pub photo collection.”

The Coachmakers Arms

The Coachmakers Arms c1930 (Image: Watford Museum)

Christine said: “The Coachmakers Arms was opened around 1850 and was probably named after its landlord’s trade, as George Homer Ware was a coach builder, originally from Dorset. By 1881 Francis Pooley had taken over at the pub and it continued to be run by him and later just by his wife until around 1912.

“The pub is shown here in the late 1920s and the poster affixed to the left of the pub makes it clear how long ago the image was taken. The advertised film was called ‘Jaws of Steel’ which was released in 1927 and was a silent adventure film featuring the dog star Rin Tin Tin.”