Watford Town Hall

Watford Town Hall is a Neo-Georgian municipal building in Watford, Hertfordshire, standing at the junction of Rickmansworth Road and Hempstead Road. It is the headquarters of Watford Borough Council and one of the best-known examples of civic architecture from the late 1930s in this part of England.

Why was Watford Town Hall built?

Watford gained the status of a municipal borough in 1922, and the council soon wanted a proper seat for its administration. The chosen plot on Rickmansworth Road had earlier been occupied by an old mansion known as "The Elms". The new building was planned as the centrepiece of a wider civic complex, which also includes the adjoining Watford Colosseum, a large hall used for concerts and public events.

Who designed it?

The architect was Charles Cowles-Voysey, who developed the design from 1935. Construction took place between 1937 and 1939, and the building opened in 1939. Cowles-Voysey acted as the master planner of the scheme, while John Brandon-Jones was responsible for much of the detailed design work. Robert Ashton also assisted on the project. The result is a calm, ordered composition in the Neo-Georgian manner, typical of British town halls from the interwar years.

What is it made of?

The structure rests on a reinforced concrete frame, a modern technique at the time, but the exterior is clad in hand-made bricks and topped with tiled roofs. This combination gives the town hall a traditional, domestic-looking character while hiding a contemporary engineering core. The building is Grade II listed, which means its architectural and historic interest is formally recognised and protected.

What is the town hall used for?

For decades it has been the administrative heart of local government in Watford. Council business, civic ceremonies and public services have all been associated with the building, and its position on a busy road junction makes it an easy landmark to spot when moving around the town centre.

What is happening with the building now?

Watford Borough Council began a major renovation of the building in 2019. The refurbishment is intended to prepare the town hall for a new public role: it is planned to house the Museum of Watford from 2026/2027, opening the interior of this listed building to residents and visitors interested in the town's history.

Is Watford Town Hall worth a visit?

Visitors interested in architecture will find it a rewarding stop. Its brick facade, strict proportions and the link with the neighbouring Colosseum make it easy to read as one planned civic ensemble. Combined with a walk around the centre of Watford, it offers a compact introduction to how English towns expressed municipal pride in the years just before the Second World War.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Watford Town Hall? At the junction of Rickmansworth Road and Hempstead Road in Watford, Hertfordshire, England.

Who designed Watford Town Hall? Charles Cowles-Voysey, assisted by John Brandon-Jones and Robert Ashton.

When was it built? Designed in 1935, built between 1937 and 1939, and opened in 1939.

Is it a listed building? Yes, it is Grade II listed.

What will the building be used for in the future? It is planned to host the Museum of Watford from 2026/2027, following a major refurbishment that began in 2019.