Watford Local Information
Practical local information for Watford: bin collection days, parking, council tax bands and planning, each one linked back to the official source.
Top story
Watford Roadworks This Week: Stephenson Way Shut From 6 Oct
Stephenson Way closes for 10 days from Tuesday 6 October, then St Albans Road and the A405 North Orbital Road shut from 12 October. Dates and diversions.
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Bins
Watford bin collection days and what each bin costs
Watford's four bins, the 6am rule and every charge: garden waste £62.40, bulky items from £57, excess sacks £3.50. Plus the tip that opens every day.
Parking
Parking in Watford: the car park that halves your day rate
Gade charges £10 for 24 hours while Church charges £15. Every Watford car park tariff, the free hours, and the CPZs that keep charging on bank holidays.
Council tax
Watford council tax bands 2026/27: band D is £2,446.70
Band D in Watford is £2,446.70 this year, up £103.32 even though the borough froze its own share. Full A to H charges and how to challenge a band.
Local Info
Watford to London: 16 minutes and £11.10 by train
Watford Junction reaches Euston in 16 minutes for £11.10 contactless. Three separate railways, all three stations compared, and what a season really costs.
Local Info
Watford planning: 156 homes approved, down from 859
Watford granted just 156 homes in 2024/25, down from 859, and 79% of consents lapsed. The Local Plan target, the five-year supply and the big schemes.
Local Info
Things to do in Watford: 17 free parks, £58.50 tour
Watford has 17 Green Flag parks, all free, plus a free town centre beach to 30 August. The studio tour is £58.50, and the museum is shut until 2027.
Local Info
Watford house prices: £424,950 median, ward by ward
The typical Watford home sold for £424,950 in the year to June 2026. Medians by ward, postcode and property type, from 765 Land Registry sales.
Bins
Watford Christmas bin collections: some rounds move earlier
Watford's 2026 Christmas bin dates are not out yet. Last year Monday rounds went out on the Saturday before and garden waste stopped for 17 days.
Schools
Watford school term dates 2026/27: half term 26 October
Watford half term is 26 to 30 October, but Parmiter's breaks on 21 October and Future Academies Watford takes two weeks. Every date for 2026/27.
Trains
Watford Christmas trains 2026: no trains 25 December
No trains from Watford Junction on Christmas Day, and Birmingham New Street shuts 24 to 28 December. What is known so far for Watford's festive travel.
Tip
Watford tip opening times: Waterdale, 10am to 5.30pm daily
Waterdale tip in Garston opens 10am to 5.30pm every day; Rickmansworth shuts Tuesday and Wednesday. Both close 25 and 26 December and 1 January.
Half term
Watford October half term 2026: 26 to 30 October, what's on
Watford half term is 26 to 30 October. A free trick or treat trail runs all week in the town centre, plus Diwali on 1 November. Ten things on, with prices.