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Newbiggen (`new building`) Street sprang up in response to the town`s medieval prosperity. It was once called `Vikerestrete`.

A view from the Shire Hall along what was to become a heavily congested street, until the building of the new relief road, with a string of Georgian and early Victorian shopfronts overshadowed by the

Its address is 78 High Street, and it is Forestdale Hotels' head office. They have purchased nineteen 3-star hotels in England and France over the last 38 years.

With a new century and a population nearing 165,000 the town increasingly gains the trappings of modernity.

Daniel Defoe wrote: 'Watford - the town is very long having but one street'. A few roads had been added during the following three hundred years, but the main High Street is still very long and busy.

The minster's twin towers dominate most pictures of East Street, but Hawker's new drapery shop (centre right) comes a close second in this shot.

This photograph looks northwards up the High Street to Donkey Lane and the 17th-century thatched Dormouse Cottage on the corner (centre).

The streets are packed with onlookers, and anxious officials wait by the entrance to the site of the new town hall.

At No 22 High Street is John Tooth, plumber and decorator, with his display board reading 'Registered Plumber - Agent to Le Grand and Sutcliff, Artesian Well Engineers'.

They were Nos 25-31 Normandy Street, and they, the Laughing Cat Cafe and the Queen's Arms beyond them were all demolished to make way for new Magistrates' Courts.

Mr Foster, the builder, showed his pride in his work by occupying the largest of the new houses.

The 'Gordon' tram shelter have previously stood on Peel Street, and was demolished in 1953. After many delays the new bus station was constructed in 1963.

When Charles Street was widened and extended, a great opportunity was lost to introduce buildings and shopping of quality.

This is the town's main shopping street. Lower down, a canopy over the pavement keeps the Pennine precipitation off the shoppers.

The painter is now 'footing' the ladder for his colleague. This picture clearly shows Lloyds Bank as the neighbour of the TSB.

This view was taken from the top of Brunel's railway viaduct and looks down New Road to the bridge and the beginning of the High Street.

Little change to the Star but its car park has been extended, and a new restaurant has appeared - since demolished and replaced by an even bigger eatery.

This view of Welton, looking back up the main street, has changed dramatically in recent years.

Moving further east along Main Street, we reach the junction with New Inn Lane on the right.

One year after this photograph was taken, lines were laid for the new electric tramcars. These continued to run through Tyrell Street until 5 November 1949.

The cottages and trees in New Inn Street are overlooked by the parish church (right). Lewesdon Hill, topped by beech trees, was given to the National Trust in 1943.

Some of the High Street shops and houses reveal a Dutch influence, with mansard roofs and ornamental gables. The blinds are down, it is a hot day.

The town was changing, and the old order was changing with it. 45 new residential roads were added to the street map in the 1920s.

The New Inn is a welcome haven in the centre of the small village, with its own car park at the side allowing calling motorists to leave the narrow street.