Places

Watford Colosseum

August 12, 2026 14:59

The Watford Colosseum is a concert and theatre venue in Watford, Hertfordshire, England. It was originally part of the Watford Town Hall complex in the late 1930s and has since developed into a standalone venue for concerts, theatre productions, comedy shows, conferences and other events. In this article, we’ll explore how the Watford Colosseum came into being, why its acoustics have gained international renown, how the venue has evolved over time, and what concerts are held there today.

Name	Watford Colosseum
Address	Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 3JN
Year founded	1938
Architect	Charles Cowles-Voysey
Purpose	Concerts, theatre, comedy shows, conferences, private and corporate events
Owner	Watford Borough Council
Area	approximately 3,716 m²
Reopening	29 August 2025
Capacity	up to 2,000 people, depending on the event format

The History of the Watford Colosseum

watford colosseum photos — Watford Colosseum

The history of the venue began in 1938, when work began on a new complex for Watford on the site of the former The Elms estate. The Assembly Rooms building itself was designed by the architect Charles Cowles-Voysey, whilst Hope Bagenal was responsible for the acoustics. The construction cost amounted to around £186,000.

Originally, the Assembly Rooms were conceived as part of the new Watford Town Hall. The foundations of the building were laid in 1938, construction was completed in 1939, and the official opening of Watford Town Hall took place on 5 January 1940.

In the decades that followed, the venue gained a reputation for its excellent acoustics. In 1994, the venue closed due to rising costs and falling attendance, but reopened as early as 1995 under the name The Colosseum and continued to operate as a concert and entertainment venue.

In 2010–2011, the complex underwent major refurbishment and expansion, with the addition of new meeting rooms, a restaurant (which no longer exists) and a bar. However, the building later required further refurbishment.

The next chapter in the venue’s history began in 2024, when Watford Borough Council announced that, following the refurbishment, AEG Presents would become the venue’s operator. The refurbished Watford Colosseum opened on 29 August 2025 with a concert by Ocean Colour Scene. The programme for the first season also included performances by Level 42, Jake Bugg, The Stranglers, Ricky Gervais, David Essex and other artists. The first events were attended by over 20,000 people.

Today, the Watford Colosseum serves as more than just a concert venue. It is used for musical performances, theatre and comedy shows, conferences, banquets and private events. Depending on the format, the main auditorium can be configured as all-seated, standing room only or adapted for a sit-down dinner.

Events and concerts at the Watford Colosseum

watford colosseum events — Watford Colosseum Concerts

The Watford Colosseum’s programme includes rock, pop, classical music, comedy shows, theatre productions and special events. Following its refurbishment in 2025, the venue launched a revamped concert programme, and its stage once again began to host British and international performers.

On 27 September 2026, Don Broco will perform at the Watford Colosseum as part of their Nightmare Tripping Tour. Special guests Unpeople and Ando San are also confirmed to appear alongside the band.

Among the artists associated with the venue’s history are Maria Callas, who recorded there in September 1954, and the maestro Luciano Pavarotti, who visited the Watford Colosseum in June 1995 and recorded Giuseppe Verdi’s Hymn of the Nations accompanied by the Philharmonia Orchestra.

Other notable musical events in recent years have included concerts by Elton John, Oasis, Robbie Williams and One Direction. Thanks to its acoustics, the venue has been used not only for concerts but also for music recordings.

Level 42 - Leaving Me Now - Live at Watford Colosseum 2025

On 20 October 1997, Robbie Williams performed at the Watford Colosseum. The list of celebrities who have delighted local audiences with concerts over the years also includes:

Elton John.
The Who.
One Direction.
Jools Holland.
The Faces.
Genesis.
Marc Bolan.

Where is the Watford Colosseum?

The Watford Colosseum is situated in the historic part of Watford, in the county of Hertfordshire, England. The venue is situated in the city centre, next to Watford Town Hall, and forms part of the Town Hall Quarter. The complex itself is located near the northern end of Watford High Street, making it easily accessible on foot or by public transport.

The complex itself is a Grade II listed building.

Watford Colosseum Seating Plan

The seating plan varies depending on the specific event. The Watford Colosseum can operate as a venue with a standing area or with fully seated arrangements. Therefore, there is no standard seating plan that is the same for all concerts. For example, for the concert by Jools Holland and His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, which will take place on 6 November 2026, a seated arrangement will be used.

Generally, the auditorium is arranged around the stage: the main seating is in the stalls in front of the stage, and the seating plan may vary depending on the format of the show. When buying a ticket, it is best to refer to the seating plan for the specific event rather than the venue’s general layout.

Information for visitors

When planning a visit to the Watford Colosseum, it’s worth checking the venue’s opening hours in advance and finding out which restaurants are nearby. It’s also worth considering transport and accommodation arrangements.

Opening Hours

Watford Colosseum does not have fixed opening hours like a museum or shop: opening times depend on the event schedule. Doors usually open before the start of a specific event, so it is best to check the entry time on your ticket or on the page for the concert you are attending.

Nearby restaurants

restaurants near watford colosseum — Restaurants near Watford Colosseum

There are several bars inside the Watford Colosseum where you can buy drinks and snacks. There is no on-site restaurant or hot food available at the venue. Please also note that the Watford Colosseum is cashless – you can pay for purchases by card or other contactless methods.

The venue is situated almost in the centre of Watford, so you won’t have to go far for dinner after the concert. There are plenty of cafés and restaurants concentrated around The Parade, High Street and King Street. Among the nearby options, you could choose, for example:

Fratelli Authentic Italian – Italian cuisine, 89–91 The Parade.
Opuz Kitchen & Bar Watford – a restaurant specialising in Turkish cuisine, 7 King St.
Il Pellegrino – an Italian restaurant, 45 The Parade.
L’Artista – Italian cuisine, 60–62 High St.
Humo Watford – an excellent restaurant on King St.

Hotels nearby

hotels near watford colosseum — Hotels near Watford Colosseum

For those travelling to the concert from another town, it’s most convenient to look for a hotel in the Watford Town Centre area or near Watford Junction.

The nearest options are:

Leonardo Hotel London Watford – Clarendon Road, near the town centre.
Holiday Inn London – Watford Junction by IHG – 65–67 Clarendon Road, not far from Watford Junction.
Premier Inn Watford Central – Timms Meadow, Water Lane.
Travelodge Watford Central – 23–25 Market Street.
Best Western White House Hotel – 27–31 Upton Road.

Choosing accommodation in the centre is also convenient because you can walk back to your hotel after the concert without having to rely on public transport timetables.

Roachford Live at Watford Colosseum - Cuddly Toy

How to get there?

The Watford Colosseum is located in the centre of Watford, so it’s easy to reach by train, underground, bus, car, taxi or on foot.

By train. The nearest and most convenient option is Watford Junction railway station. The venue is within walking distance; the walk takes about 10–15 minutes. National Rail and Overground services run through the station, with direct and frequent trains to London Euston, St Albans Abbey, Milton Keynes and Northampton. Another option is Watford High Street Station, from where Overground trains run to London Euston. The station is located in the city centre.
Underground. You can also reach Watford Colosseum by Underground: Watford Underground Station is on the Metropolitan line. It’s about a 20–25-minute walk from the station to the centre of Watford.
Bus. Bus routes 319, 322, 347, 335, 508 and W30 pass near the venue.
By car. A handy landmark for motorists is the M1 motorway, junction 5, as well as the M25, junctions 19 and 20. If you choose this method of transport, it is important to note that the concert venue does not have its own car park.
By taxi or bicycle. Taxi ranks are located in the areas of Albert Road South, Rickmansworth Road, The Parade, King Street and Watford High Street Station. Watford town centre has a network of cycle paths and bike racks, as well as the Beryl Bikes hire scheme.

Parking

There is no on-site car park at the Watford Colosseum. Nearby municipal car parks are available for cars.

Gade Car Park – 661 spaces;
Town Hall Car Park – 78 spaces; this is the most convenient option for visitors with reduced mobility;
Avenue Car Park – 119 spaces.

In Watford town centre, there are also several multi-storey car parks at Atria Watford and other municipal car parks. The town also has 16 charging points for electric vehicles.