In 1881 Callowland was purchased by the Earl of Essex from the Master and Fellows of Merton College, Oxford, and housing development began in the 1890s.

[3] Today, North Watford is mostly residential and is mainly characterised by red brick terraced houses of the late 19th century.

[1] Among the industries setting up in the area was Wells Watford Brewery Ltd.[note 1] Founded in 1890 by Lincolnshire farmer Ralph Thorpe, the brewery built up a large operation on St Albans Road with its premises linked to the St Albans branch line via a short railway line for transporting beer into London.

The company's advertising claimed that these products offered numerous health benefits and revitalising effects; as well as extracts of cocoa and kola, some also reputedly contained an amount of cocaine in their ingredients.

[7] The company's success grew and in 1961 it opened a new showroom and office building on the St Albans Road, Hille House.

[9][10] This locally listed building stands on the A41 North Western Avenue with its prominent clock tower overlooking the Dome Roundabout and it is still in use today as a print works.

The foundation stone for the Church was laid in 1904 by Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, fifth child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

This 1959 concrete office block has been locally listed as it is the work of the noted architect Ernő Goldfinger and an example of Brutalist architecture.

In the short period when the Dowager Queen Adelaide was resident at Cassiobury House (c. 1846–49), this station was remodelled to provide her with a royal waiting room.

It was also reportedly used by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert on a trip to visit Sir Robert Peel in November 1843, when they travelled by road from Windsor Castle to take a train from Watford to Tamworth.

[15] It closed in 1858 when it was replaced by the new station at Watford Junction and today the building is occupied by a second-hand car dealership.

At its northern end it joins the Dome Roundabout which links Watford to the A41 towards Hemel Hempstead, the North Orbital Road (A405) towards St Albans, and to the M1 and M25 motorways.

National Cycle Route 6 runs along the eastern boundary of North Watford, partly along the banks of the River Colne.