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Watford Borough Council
Local history and heritage
Watford Borough Council has a responsibility to preserve local history and heritage, and to make as much of it as possible available to current and future generations.
In this section you can found out how we look after the town's heritage in archives, museums and through the upkeep of historic buildings and sites.
Watford Museum, supported by the council, organise regular High Street trails in the summer months, which reveal the fascinating history of the town.
Highlights of the trails include a look at the Bedford Almshouses, which date back to 1580. They retain their original use providing homes for the elderly of the town and are the oldest domestic buildings in Watford. The Free School is another landmark - it was opened in 1704 by Mrs Fuller to provide free education to both boys and girls.
Other interesting landmarks include the pond, which was actually a natural feature and used on market day to water livestock. Also incorporated in the trails are the odd ghost story and legend from the days when Watford was infamous for bodysnatching and highwaymen!
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