There are many buildings from Watford's past that are no longer with us and arguably the grandest is Cassiobury House.

The Watford Observer is delighted to share photos from the Watford Museum archive and this week we recall the home of the Earls of Essex.

The museum's volunteer archivist Christine Orchard said: "Although the structural elements of the Cassiobury Estate have gone, some beautiful images of it have been preserved in the musuem's photograph collection.

Watford Observer:

The Yellow Room, Cassiobury House. Picture: Flitt Collection

"These photographs were taken around the early 1920s and show the house as it would have been not long before it, and contents, were sold; many photos were used in the sale catalogues for the house.

Watford Observer:

Cassiobury Park Gates. Picture: Dollamore Collection

"Some of the interior images show the complete rooms full of furnishings, paintings and ornaments. Others just show the empty rooms with their magnificent panelling and carvings.

Watford Observer:

Another view of the exterior from the museum's Dollamore Collection

"Although it is sad that the house is gone, these images are a wonderful record of times past and that the lovely park we have today had belonged to the Earls of Essex."

Watford Observer:

The staircase in the house. Picture: Flitt Collection

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