Wonderful aerial pictures of Watford from above in 1963

A Watford Observer photographer took to the skies in September 1963 to capture these wonderful aerial pictures of the town.

Scroll through the photos on this page and you’ll see how the Town Hall roundabout looked before the construction of the ring road and underpass.

• The building once located on site of high street bank
• Snaps unearthed of a tranquil village high street scene 60 years ago
• Sneak peek inside high street favourite before it opened

The office blocks had started to appear in Clarendon Road by the early 1960s (Image: Watford Observer)

Some of the town’s major roads – including St Albans Road, Clarendon Road and Whippendell Road also feature – as does Watford Junction when it was a much smaller building.

The former London Orphan Asylum that is now at the heart of the Reed's estate (Image: Watford Observer)

These aerial photos also bring back memories of the town’s industrial past as Sun Printers and Scammell’s are also included.

Looking down on St Albans Roads towards the town centre at the top of this photo (Image: Watford Observer)

Sadly, there are no pictures from above the High Street or flying directly over Vicarage Road – although it is possible to see part of Watford FC’s home in one of the photos – but they offer a fascinating look back to how the town looked from above 60 years ago.

This was how Station Road looked from above in 1963 with Watford Junction towards the top left of the picture (Image: Watford Observer)

Whippendell Road runs from the top left of this photo with Sun Printers towards the centre right (Image: Watford Observer)

Another view of Sun Printers. Spot the steam train in the bottom right corner (Image: Watford Observer)

The Tolpits Lane area and Scammell's (Image: Watford Observer)

Looking towards the town centre in the middle of this picture (Image: Watford Observer)

How the Town Hall roundabout looked before the ring road was built (Image: Watford Observer)

Another view of the Town Hall roundabout. The Pond is towards the bottom right of this image (Image: Watford Observer)

Looking down Clarendon Road with Watford Junction and the railway towards the top right of the photo (Image: Watford Observer)

A view over West Watford in 1963. Vicarage Road Stadium and what is now Watford General Hospital are at the bottom right of the picture (Image: Watford Observer)

Another view of Whippendell Road with the empty land behind that is now home to the business parks (Image: Watford Observer)