St Albans

is in Hertfordshire, England. It was a town before the Romans came, became the first major town on the old Roman road known as Watling Street, and has a long and distinguished history.

It is very near London, while retaining much of its character as an early English country town.

Getting there

You can get to St Albans very easily. By car, it is a short drive from the M1, the M25 and the A1. It is also well served by public transport: by bus from many parts, and by a fast regular train service which connects central London with Luton airport and Bedford.

For maps and other details, check our own Find us page.

Learn more

For a wealth of further information, and more photos, see the Wikipedia St Albans page and the official St Albans website.

Highlights for visitors

St Albans Abbey Cathedral

The mediaeval town of St Albans grew up on the hill to the east of the Benedictine foundation of St Albans Abbey. This is the spot where tradition has it that St Alban, the first British Christian martyr, was beheaded sometime before 324.

It was, at one time, the principal abbey in England. The first draft of Magna Carta was drawn up here. The Abbey Church became the parish church when it was bought by the local people in 1553, soon after the priory was dissolved in 1539. It became a cathedral in 1877, when the City Charter was granted to St Albans.

Verulamium Park

Verulamium was the Roman name for St Albans. Verulamium Park is 100 acres of beautiful parkland, a short stroll from The Lower Red Lion.

As well as the parkland, the lake, and play areas for children and toddlers, it houses the Verulamium Museum, the Roman Hypocaust (with mosaic flooring), and a wealth of Roman remains.

Other St Albans attractions

Roman Theatre of Verulamium
Museum of St Albans
Medieval Clock Tower
Butterfly World
De Havilland Heritage Centre Organ Theatre/Museum
Gorhambury House
St Michael's & Kingsbury
Redbournbury Mill

Fishpool Street

Fishpool Street was so called before the Norman Conquest.

Until the 19th century, it was the main stage route from London to the Western counties of England. As many as forty stage coaches a day, drawn by their teams of four horses, clattered over the cobblestones.

The cobblestones have now gone. Otherwise the street is virtually unchanged—as you can see from an early photo in the bar of the Lower Red Lion.

Nearby places to visit

Hatfield House, one of England's most famous country houses, which celebrates its 400th anniversary in 2011.

Shaw's Corner (National Trust), home to the playwright George Bernard Shaw for 40 years of his writing life.

Living and working in St Albans

St Albans is both a historic cathedral and market town, and a much sought-after dormitory town within the London commuter belt.

It's an attractive place to live in, with a remarkable range of cultural events, and boasts a great social life, whether you are young and single, bringing up a family, or mature and settled.

The Lower Red Lion in St Albans

Just a short walk from the Cathedral, the Lower Red Lion in Fishpool Street is itself one of the attractions of St Albans. The main part of the building dates back to the 17th century, when Fishpool Street (see above) was an important thoroughfare.

It is a comfortable place to stay, as well as being “a beer drinker's paradise.” Find out why.