Useful Contacts

Shopping Enjoy!
Boots the Chemist 01727 867173
St Albans Tourist

St Albans
Christopher Place 01727 832889
Maltings Shopping Centre 01727 844226 & Information Centre
Markets 01727 819452
Marks and Spencer 01727 840935

Transport & Shopmobility Mini Guide

Bus Information (Interlink) 08706 082608
(Green Line) 08706 087261
Car Park Passes (senior citizens) 01727 819221
National Express 08705 808080
National Rail Enquiries 08457 484950
Parking Shop 08456 017803
Shopmobility 01727 819339
For further information on the City, visit the Tourist & Information
Centre located within the Town Hall in Market Place. There is a
Attractions, Leisure & Sports wide range of services on offer including local information,
Abbey Theatre 01727 857861 accommodation reservations, National Express bookings, First
Capital Connect DaySave tickets, UK holiday information, guided
Alban Arena 01727 844488
walks, information on London attractions and other UK destinations.
Batchwood Golf and Tennis Centre 01727 844250 The Centre stocks a wide range of souvenirs, maps and books. The
Bricket Wood Sports Centre 01923 662224 Town Hall also houses a restored Georgian Courtroom available for
Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban 01727 860780 hire through the Tourist & Information Centre.
Harpenden Leisure Centre 01582 767722 Opening Hours
Maltings Arts Theatre 01727 844222 • Monday to Saturday: 1000 - 1700 hrs
Museum of St Albans 01727 819340 • Sunday's when open: 1000 - 1600 hrs, Sunday opening restricted
to 2nd Sunday of the month, Summer school holidays and other
Verulamium Museum 01727 751810
special events. Open Bank Holidays.
Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre 01727 846031
Tel: 01727 864511, Fax: 01727 863533
Email: tic@stalbans.gov.uk Web: www.stalbans.gov.uk
Other Useful Numbers

City Hospital 01727 866122

Harpenden Town Council/Information Point 01582 768278
Police Station 01727 796000 Harpenden Information Point
St Albans City & District Council 01727 866100
Located at Harpenden Town Hall off Leyton Road, the centre has a
Tourist & Information Centre 01727 864511 large selection of information regarding hotels and attractions in the
local area.

Website - www.stalbans.gov.uk Opening hours are Monday to Friday 1000 - 1600 hrs.
Tel: 01582 768278 Web: www.harpenden.gov.uk

Designed by Junction 9 Design Consultants 01582 793313 www.stalbans.gov.uk

 Major Events in St Albans Welcome
and the surrounding area The city of St Albans has been attracting visitors from far afield for
February over 2000 years. First built as Verulamium by the Romans, the city
• Pancake race was renamed St Albans after the first British Christian martyr.

May Today, the city of St Albans is compact and easy to explore on foot.
• Herts County Show, Redbourn The magnificent Cathedral dominates the skyline of the city and is
A traditional county agricultural show best known for the shrine of St Alban. Beyond the Cathedral you
• Harpenden Carnival can relax in the green oasis of Verulamium Park, 100 acres of
• Charity cycle ride tranquil parkland close to the heart of the city, leading to the best-
June preserved Roman theatre in Britain.
• St Albans Half Marathon
The city boasts a wide range of attractions to visit. Verulamium
St Albans’ major sporting event, raising funds for local charities.
Museum displays beautiful objects from the old Roman city, the
Also there are fun runs and a walking half marathon.
Museum of St Albans tells the story of the city from the departure of
• Albantide Weekend
the Romans up to the present day, while the St Albans Organ
July Museum houses the Charles Hart Collection of mainly mechanical
• St Albans Festival (Biennial event ie. even years) musical instruments.
• Harpenden Highland Gathering
• National Archaeology Days Shopping in the city is a real pleasure, with its historic ambience
providing the setting in which to explore a range of well-known high
• International Organ Festival in St Albans
(Biennial event ie. odd years) street names alongside many specialist shops offering antiques,
books, designer clothes, furniture, giftware, jewellery, interior
September design and much, much more!
• Heritage Open Days
• CAMRA Beer Festival - This festival offers real ale lovers the Also, a bustling street market fills the city centre streets every
chance to sample many ales from around the country. Wednesday and Saturday, offering an enormous variety of goods.
• Hertfordshire Open Studios The city is well served with over 100 restaurants and a great
Artists around Hertfordshire open their homes to the public. number of historic pubs and inns for that well-deserved refreshment
October break. You can find details of these and many more places of
• Apple Day Fair interest within this guide.

November We look forward to welcoming you to St Albans, where

• Fireworks Display, Verulamium Park the best of the old meets the best of the new.
A spectacular display set by the lakeside in this beautiful park.
• Christmas lights ‘switch-on’ show - Our traditional start to the
seasons festivities, when the city centre comes alive with
children’s entertainments and a celebrity switch-on show.
December
• Christmas Markets
• Christmas Panto
Index
What to see and do 3-6
St Albans School of Languages Ltd Shopping 7
Eating and Drinking 8
ENGLISH, SPANISH, ITALIAN, FRENCH etc. Arts & Entertainments 9
Sports & Recreation, Parks 10
01727 838980 35 Market Place, St Albans Out and about around St Albans 11 - 12
www.stalbansschooloflanguages.co.uk Travelling to St Albans 13 - 15
info@stalbansschooloflanguages.co.uk
 What to see and do Gorhambury House
The seat of the Earl of Verulam, Gorhambury was built in the late
Cathedral & Abbey Church 18th century and replaced old Gorhambury House, the home of
of St Alban Francis Bacon, the philosopher and writer. The old Gorhambury
The Cathedral is best known for the House ruins stand nearby. The present house contains a fine
shrine of St Alban - Britain’s first Christian collection of family portraits.
martyr – which continues to attract Opening hours:1400 - 1700 hrs Thursdays only May to September
pilgrims from far and wide. (groups at other times by special appointment)
Opening hours: 0830 - 1745 hrs daily Tel: 01727 855000/854051
(No entry fee but donations are welcomed)
Tel: 01727 860780 Kingsbury Watermill
Email: mail@stalbanscathedral.org.uk Close to Verulamium Park, the present building was constructed in
Web: www.stalbanscathedral.org.uk the 16th century. The water of the River Ver turns its beautifully
restored wheel and visitors can see the milling machine and a
Wheelchair accessible toilet,
collection of farming implements.
induction loop, Touch & Hearing
Centre, Braille guide plan Opening hours: 1000 - 1800 hrs Monday to Saturday
1100 - 1800 hrs Sunday (1700 hrs November to Easter)
Clock Tower Tel: 01727 853502
Built between 1403 and 1412, the Wheelchair accessible toilet available
Clock Tower is the only medieval town
belfry in England. Today you can climb
the 93 steps to the top of the Tower and
enjoy magnificent views of the
Cathedral, Roman Verulamium and the
historic city of St Albans.
Visitors are warned that the stairs are
narrow and may be difficult to climb and
descend.
Opening hours: Saturday, Sunday &
Bank Holidays from Easter to September
Tel: 01727 751810
Web: www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk

The De Havilland Aircraft Heritage Centre

Incorporating the Mosquito Museum, there are over 20 different
types of de Havilland aircraft and sections on display.
Opening hours: March to October, 1400 - 1730 hrs Tuesday,
Thursday & Saturday, 1030 - 1730 hrs Sundays & Bank Holidays
Tel: 01727 822051/826400
Web: www.dehavillandmuseum.co.uk
Gardens of the Rose
Situated in Chiswell Green, to the south of the City, are the world -
renowned Gardens of the Rose (headquarters of the Royal National
Rose Society). For opening/seasonal times please contact:
Tel: 01727 850461
Email: mail@rnrs.org.uk
Web: www.rnrs.org
3 4
Margaret Harvey Gallery
For information on exhibitions contact: Margaret Harvey Gallery,
University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield Road, St Albans, Herts AL1 3RS
Tel: 01707 285376
Opening times: Wednesday to Saturday 1100 - 1700 hrs.
Museum of St Albans
At the Museum of St Albans you can discover the fascinating story
of our historic cathedral city. The rise of St Albans from a market
town and coaching centre to a modern commuter city is told through
lively displays using the museum’s collections.
Open all year, 1000 - 1700 hrs Monday to Saturday,
1400 - 1700 hrs Sunday. Free admission.
Tel: 01727 819340 Web: www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk
Wheelchair accessible toilet available
Wheelchair access to ground floor only
 What to see and do St Albans Organ Theatre
A permanent playing collection of rare
Redbournbury Watermill mechanical musical instruments,
Redbournbury Mill is a fully restored café/dance organs, player pianos and
18th century working watermill on theatre pipe organs. Live performances are
the River Ver just north of St Albans. given together with a commentary.
The watermill produces and sells Opening hours: 1400 - 1630 hrs Sunday.
stoneground organic flour. The river Saturday Concerts given monthly.
and surrounding countryside are a haven for wildlife and the mill is Concert Info : 01727 869693. General Info: 01727 873896
an ideal refreshment stop for walkers and cyclists. Web: www.stalbansorganmuseum.org.uk
Opening hours: Sundays from Easter to end September & Bank
Holiday weekends 1400 - 1730 hrs Verulamium Museum
Other special open days, contact for details. This award-winning museum displays beautiful objects from the
Tel: 01582 792874 Email: redbrymill@aol.com Roman City of Verulamium. Superb mosaics and recreated Roman
Web: www.redbournmill.co.uk rooms gives the visitor an
opportunity to discover the
Redbourn Village Museum life and times of a major
The Silk Mill House in Redbourn houses this Village Museum, with Roman city.
galleries for photographic and art exhibitions as well as a display
Opening hours:
of the early history of the village.
All year, 1000 - 1730 hrs
Open weekends all year, 1400 - 1700 hrs Saturday Monday to Saturday,
1200 - 1700 hrs Sunday 1400 - 1730 hrs Sunday
Tel: 01582 793397 Email: redbournmuseum@aol.com (last admission 1700 hrs).
Roman Mosiac (Hypocaust) Admission charges apply.
In Verulamium Park lies the Roman Mosaic – part of a suite of rooms Tel: 01727 751810 Web: www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk.
in a large town house built around AD200. Beneath a fine mosaic, Wheelchair accessible toilet available
a precursor of modern central heating can be seen – the Romans
had no intention of enduring a climate they found unpleasantly cold
Willows Farm Village
in winter.
Willows Farm Village at London Colney is a 500 acre leisure
Open hours: (Summer) Monday to Saturday 1000–1645.
attraction, which features a wide variety of animals, adventure play
Sunday 1400–1645.(Winter) Monday to Saturday 1000–1645.
and a daily programme of entertainment.
Sunday: 1400–1545. Free admission
Tel: 01727 751810. Web: www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk Farm opening hours: 7 days a week 1000 - 1730 hrs from April
to October inclusive
Roman Theatre Shop opening hours: All year round 1000 - 1700 hrs
Just a short walk from Verulamium Tel: 01727 822444 Web: www.willowsfarmvillage.com
Museum is the Roman Theatre, the
best-preserved example in Britain. Wheelchair accessible toilet available
Close by are the foundations of a Only guide dogs are allowed in the Farm Village.
Roman town house, a sacred shrine
and a row of Roman shops. The City of St Albans Tour Guides
Opening hours: 1000 - 1700 hrs The City of St Albans Tour Guides have a programme of walks
daily (1000 - 1600 hrs in winter) around the City. Walks include ‘Pubs & Chapels’, ‘The Ghost Walk’,
Tel: 01727 835035 Web: www.romantheatre.co.uk ‘Victorian St Albans’, ‘The Wars of the Roses’, ‘Verulamium Park’
Sopwell Nunnery and ‘The Roman Theatre’*. There is a nominal charge of £3 per
Visit the ruins of Sir Richard Lee’s Tudor country house, built on the person and group bookings can also be accommodated at other
site of a 12th Century nunnery. Sopwell Nunnery, off Cottonmill times by prior arrangement.
Lane, St Albans.Tel: 01727 869693/873896 Tel: 01727 864511 Web: www.stalbans.gov.uk
Web: www.stalbansorganmuseum.org.uk *Tours of the Roman Theatre are free but there is an entrance fee.
5 6
 Shopping
St Albans is rich in heritage and tradition, evidence of which can be
found down every street and alley where traders have plied their
wares for many a century. Stop awhile and look up at medieval
craftsmanship evident in windows, doorways and timberframed
buildings. Blending into the historic streets are shopping precincts
Christopher Place and The Maltings, both served by their own car
parks and offering a wide range of retail goods.
St Albans Market
The bustling city centre market on Wednesdays and Saturdays is
one of the largest in the South East. Established over 1000 years
ago, the colourful street market extends through the heart of
St Albans, offering an enormous variety of wares from foodstuffs,
flowers, gifts and clothes, to crafts and more unusual items.

St Albans Shopmobility
Visitors with walking difficulties can take advantage of the free
Shopmobility scheme, which provides electric and manual
wheelchairs and battery-powered scooters.
Shopmobility is open 0930 - 1600 hrs on From Tuesday to Friday
each week. Tel: 01727 819339 for further details.

Quick Guide
A quick guide to the main shopping areas in St Albans:
Catherine Street Craft & specialist shops
Christopher Place Modern shopping centre - chain
stores & specialist shops
George Street Antique, craft & specialist shops
Heritage Close/Village Arcade Craft & specialist shops
High Street Specialist shops
Holywell Hill Antique, craft & specialist shops Eating and Drinking
Maltings Modern shopping centre - chain
Stores & specialist shops St Albans offers an excellent range of places to eat and drink. With
Market Place/Chequer Street Chain stores and specialist shops over 100 restaurants, bistros, coffee shops and a huge selection of
St Peter’s Street Larger stores pubs and inns within the city centre, daytime shoppers and night-
(Bhs, Boots, M&S & Woolworths) time revellers will be spoilt for choice. Whether it’s a special meal
to remember, or somewhere to grab a quick bite to eat, St Albans
Monday to Sunday opening*
has something for everyone. For evening entertainment the pub and
*The majority of shops are open on Sunday
club scene offers a wide variety of live music. The vibrant, lively
Market Days - Wednesday & Saturday
atmosphere of St Albans has made it the premier nightspot for
The Farmers’ Market takes place every second Sunday of the month.
Hertfordshire and North London. For further information pick up a
copy of the Eat, Drink & Enjoy guide from the Tourist and
Information Centre. You can also find details of places to eat and
drink on www.stalbans.gov.uk

7 8
 Arts & Entertainments Sports & Recreation
St Albans offers a vibrant and varied range of arts and St Albans and District is home to a vast range of excellent leisure
entertainment whatever the weather, whatever the season, day and facilities designed to suit all ages and interests. For those who enjoy
night. In addition to the venues listed here, there are many other fitness and sports activities, there are six major sports centres to
locations within St Albans that host events. The Cathedral & Abbey choose from, whilst if you prefer more relaxed pursuits, there are
Church of St Alban offers a packed programme of musical events plenty of opportunities ranging from walking and cycling to golf,
throughout the year. You will also find a variety of entertainment on horse riding and fishing.
the streets and in the parks and gardens of the city. Though a Useful Contacts
bustling city centre during the day, at night St Albans comes alive Abbey View Golf Course
in a different way. Take in some entertainment at one of the theatres, Tel: 01727 868227
enjoy the atmosphere in one of the many restaurants or make a
Adventure World London Colney
night of your stay with the pub and club scene which offers a wide
Tel: 01727 822447
variety of live music from both local and nationally known bands.
Batchwood Golf and Tennis Centre
Abbey Theatre L FA
N DT
EN NIS C
ENTRE

Tel: 01727 844250

GO

The Abbey Theatre, Westminster Lodge,

Bricket Wood Sports Centre
Holywell Hill, St Albans, Herts AL1 2DL
Tel: 01923 662224
Box Office Tel: 01727 857861
Theatre Manager: 01727 847472 Harpenden Leisure Centre/Swimming Pool
Fax: 01727 812742 Email: manager@abbeytheatre.org.uk Tel: 01582 767722/01582 460683
Web: www.abbeytheatre.org.uk Redbourn Recreation Centre
Tel: 01582 626202
Alban Arena
Civic Centre, St Albans, Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre
Herts AL1 3LD Tel: 01727 846031
Box Office Tel: 01727 844488
Fax: 01727 865755
Email: info@alban-arena.co.uk
Web: www.alban-arena.co.uk Parks
Maltings Arts Theatre Verulamium Park
Maltings Arts Theatre, The Maltings, St Albans, Herts AL1 3HL Set in over 100 acres of beautiful
Tel: 01727 844222 parkland, and named after the
Fax: 01727 836616 Roman City of Verulamium on which it
Web: www.stalbans.gov.uk/leisure/arts/maltings.htm stands, Verulamium Park is St Albans’
largest and most visited park. A short
The SandPit Theatre walk from the city centre, this park
Sandringham School, The Ridgeway, St Albans AL4 9NX has something for everyone.
Tel: 01727 370067
Email: admin@sandpittheatre.co.uk Clarence Park
Web: www.sandpittheatre.co.uk A classic Victorian park, Clarence
Park was given to the people of
Trestle Arts Base
St. Albans by a local benefactor, Sir
Trestle Arts Base, Russet Drive, St. Albans, Herts AL4 0JQ.
John Maple, in 1894. Recently the
Tel: 01727 850150
park has been given a facelift thanks
Fax: 01727 855558
to a grant from the Heritage Lottery
Email: admin@trestle.org.uk
Fund, and the park’s original features
Web: www.trestle.org.uk
have been restored to their former glory.

Wheelchair accessible toilets available at both parks

9 10
 Out and about around St Albans Cycling Trails
St Albans and the surrounding countryside offer many opportunities
Towns and Villages for cycling. The disused railway lines of the Alban Way and the
Beyond the city of St Albans there is plenty to explore, extending Nicky Line offer cycle routes that form part of the proposed National
from the pretty commuter town of Harpenden in the north to Bricket Cycle Network. There is also a wide range of circular rides across
Wood in the south. Hertfordshire available if you would like to explore the wider
countryside.
Harpenden
Harpenden is five miles north of For further information on walking and cycling, contact the Tourist
St. Albans. It has a fine High Street, and Information Centre on 01727 864511.
interesting shops and a variety of pubs
and restaurants. Harpenden enjoys Further Afield
large open spaces: Rothamsted Park
Hatfield House, Park & Gardens
hosts a variety of sporting activities and
Visit this stunning Jacobean house within its own Great Park and see
the Common features ponds, picnic
the surviving wing of the Tudor Royal Palace, where Elizabeth 1
areas and a nature trail.
spent much of her childhood.
Harpenden also has a Tourist
Open Easter to the end of September, House - Wednesday to
Information Point based at the Town
Sunday & Bank Holidays - Admission charge.
Hall. Tel: 01582 768278 Web: www.harpenden.gov.uk.
Tel: 01707 287010 Web: www.hatfield-house.co.uk
London Colney Wheelchair accessible toilet available
London Colney, to the south of the city, lies on the old coaching
route from London. The historic centre of the village is along the
River Colne. The church and village green provide a peaceful
setting in contrast to the nearby hypermarket, one of the largest in
the U.K.

Redbourn
Redbourn retains its country village atmosphere with shops and
ancient pubs. Just behind the High Street lies the Common, site of
Hertfordshire’s first recorded cricket match in 1666!

Sandridge
Sandridge lies between St Albans and Wheathampstead with
St.Leonard’s church providing its focal point. Around one mile to the
Knebworth House
north is Nomansland Common.
A ‘Gothic Palace’ and the home of the Lytton family since 1490, the
Wheathampstead house features paintings, furniture and objects d’art. In the grounds
Wheathampstead, one of the are a miniature railway & “Fort Knebworth” adventure playground.
District’s most attractive villages, has Open Easter to September. Admission charge.
a history dating back to pre-Roman Tel: 01438 812661 Web: www.knebworthhouse.com
times. The Devil’s Dyke, in places 32 Ground floor only
feet deep and 100 feet across, lies to
the south-east of the village. The High
Street features the Bull Inn which Other Attractions
dates back to the 13th century. Ashridge Estate 01442 851227
Paradise Wildlife Park, Broxbourne 01992 470490
Countryside Trails Hertford Castle 01992 584322
St Albans is perfectly placed as a base from which to explore the Shaw’s Corner 01438 820307
surrounding countryside and villages. Walks include the Ver Valley Whipsnade Wild Animal Park 01582 872171
Walk, the Alban Way and, from Harpenden, the Nicky Line. Woburn Abbey 01525 290333
Woburn Safari Park 01525 290407
11 12
 Travelling to St Albans St Albans

➔
By Car City Centre
Close to the M1, A1 and M25, St Albans is easily accessible from Map & Key
all parts of the UK. See map opposite.
1 Abbey Gateway
By Rail
2 Abbey Theatre
Less than 20 minutes away from London King’s Cross, St Albans
Alban Arena
is served by First Capital Connect (Thameslink) with frequent
3
➔
4 Ambulance Station
services throughout the day and night. The First Capital Connect 5 Cathedral
service also connects St Albans to Luton, London Luton airport and 6 Christopher Place
Bedford in the north, and Gatwick airport and Brighton heading 7 Civic Centre
south. 8 Clarence Park 4
The Silverlink service via Watford connects St Albans with the North 9 Clock Tower
London Line, and the West Coast main line, which links London 10 Kingsbury Watermill
WC
Euston to the north-west of England and Scotland. 11 Hypocaust
12 Maltings Arts Theatre/Library
By Bus and Coach 13 Maltings Shopping Centre
St Albans is well connected on the local bus network with services 14 Margaret Harvey Gallery

from North London, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield, Luton and 15 Museum of St Albans
A5
16 Police Station
Watford. The Green Line service links St Albans with Heathrow
17 Roman Theatre
airport and West London, Harlow and Essex. National Express
➔
18 Verulamium Museum
coaches provides services that link neighbouring towns of Hatfield
19 Verulamium Park
and Hemel Hempstead with Stansted, Heathrow, Luton, Gatwick, 20 Vintry Gardens
Oxford and Cambridge. 21 Ye Olde Fighting Cocks Inn †
14
By Air Car Parks
10 15
Both London Luton and Gatwick airports are directly linked to Coach Parks WC
St Albans by First Capital Connect rail service. Stansted and Coach Drop-off Point 8
17 7 WC
Heathrow airports are also easily accessible. † Churches, Places of Worship WC 3
Footpaths † 18 †
If you need help or advice with planning your visit to Main Shopping Areas † WC 6 16 ➔
†
WC Public Toilets 9 13
St Albans, please contact the Tourist & Information

➔
Through Routes 12
† † †
Centre and our dedicated staff will be happy to help. 19 1
Town Hall/ 20
5
Tourist & Information Centre
Tel: 01727 864511
Email: tic@stalbans.gov.uk 11
21
Web: www.stalbans.gov.uk
WC

Disclaimer
Whilst every care has WC

Accommodation been taken to ensure

the accuracy of the
For extended stays, St Albans has a wide variety of accommodation 2 ➔
information contained
available. Please contact the Tourist & Information Centre on in this publication,
01727 864511 for a list of hotels, guest houses and self catering
St Albans District
accommodation. The Tourist & Information Centre also provide
Council cannot accept
help, advice and a booking service. Information can also be found
responsibility for any
on www.stalbans.gov.uk
➔

errors or omissions.
†
13