by Janis / 0 comments - Orginally published:22nd April 2025

A relaxing mini break just a short hop from London

The historic city of St Albans is situated in the home county of Hertfordshire and is the perfect location for a cultural mini-break or even a relaxing day out from central London.

Slip on your comfy shoes and unwind as you meander around St Albans’s ancient streets and attractive lanes and discover its captivating charm.

St Albans is a delightful city to visit throughout the year and a joy to explore, particularly around the Cathedral Close and Romeland.

The Cathedral city of St Albans is easily navigated on foot, with many of its historic sights and landmarks just a short stroll from its welcoming Market Place.

So, let’s head off and wander in the footsteps of the Romans around the streets of St Albans.

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Where is St Albans?

How to get to St Albans

- By Train
St Albans City station is only 20 minutes from London’s St Pancras Intl station on the Thameslink train line.

- By Coach
You can travel to St Albans via National Express coaches, which offers a direct service from London and other UK locations.

- By Car
 The main motorway routes into St. Albans are the M1 (jct. 6), A1(M) and the M25 (jct’s. 21A and 22).

- By Air
The closest airports to St. Albans are London Luton and Gatwick, which are linked to St. Albans on the Bedford-Brighton rail route. Or hire a car from these airports from Rental Cars.

A brief history of St Albans

A city full of rich heritage
St Albans in Hertfordshire has a far-reaching depth of history starting during the Iron Age in the First Century BC when it was given the Celtic name of Verlamion. It wouldn’t be too long until the Romans arrived and invaded the settlement in around AD 43 and renamed it Verulamium.
A landscape shot from St Albans, Hertfordshire, shows the ruins of a stone wall in the foreground, with a lake and trees in the background. The wall is made of rough, weathered stones and is surrounded by grassy patches. The lake reflects the sky and features a few white birds. A black metal fence runs along the bottom right of the frame. The sky is blue with light clouds.
Roman city walls

By AD 50 the Roman city of Verulamium had become the second-largest Roman settlement in Roman Britain after Londinium. However, Queen Boudicca was not happy with the growth of the Roman town of Verulamium, and in AD 60, she ordered for the city to be burnt to the ground.

Remains of the Roman settlement can still be seen in St Albans, including the city walls and a stunning mosaic in Verlamium Park. The city began to grow again through the centuries, and the Roman occupation ended around AD 450.

A wide shot of an ancient Roman mosaic floor, featuring a grid pattern of square panels with circular designs. The mosaic is made of small, colored tiles and shows patterns of red, white, and brown. The edges of the mosaic are rough, with exposed earth and fragments of stone, indicating an archaeological site.
Roman Mosaic

The present-day name of St Albans is derived from the British saint Alban, who is believed to be the first-recorded British saint. Alban, a citizen of Verulamium, was martyred for his Christian faith in circa AD 250 near the hilltop site of St Albans Cathedral. St Alban is now enshrined within St Albans Cathedral.

In AD 793, St Albans Benedictine Abbey was founded by King Offa of Mercia, and the town of St Albans gradually grew up around the Abbey. St Albans was the first major town on the old Roman road of Watling Street. This 276-mile road runs from Dover to London through St Albans to its final destination in Wroxeter in Shropshire.

A sunny, daytime shot of St Albans Cathedral in Hertfordshire shows the exterior of the building with its Gothic architecture, including pointed arches and a tall tower. The cathedral is constructed of light-colored stone and is surrounded by greenery, with trees framing the shot on both sides. The sky is blue with a few wispy clouds.
St Albans Cathedral from Vintry Garden
In AD 948, St Albans School was founded, and it still continues to tutor today. In 1086, when the Domesday Book was created, there were around 500 people living in St Albans town. It wasn’t until 1877 that Queen Victoria issued a Royal charter, and St Albans was granted ‘city’ status, and the Abbey Church became a cathedral.

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Exploring the city of St Albans

Strolling its ancient streets
St Albans is perfect for a relaxing city break; it is awash with fascinating history, quaint shops, restaurants and beautiful architecture.
A wide shot of the St Albans Museum + Gallery in Hertfordshire shows the white, neoclassical building under a bright blue sky. The building features columns and a triangular pediment. A rainbow flag flies atop the building, and people are walking in the square in front. A large "LOVE" sign is visible on the left, and bicycles are parked in the foreground.
St Albans Museum and Gallery

St Albans is a relatively easy city to explore on foot. We started our self-guided walking tour of St Albans from St Peter’s Street at the St Albans Museum + Gallery. This delightful museum is in the Georgian Grade II* listed Town Hall and is free to visit. It is full of exhibits from local and national history and contemporary art.

Within the museum, you will find the Town Hall’s Assembly Room and cells to visit, and you can also enjoy a coffee and cake within the restored Georgian Courtroom.

A sunny street scene in St Albans, Hertfordshire, features a row of brick buildings with shops and cafes on either side. People are walking along the street, and outdoor seating is set up in front of a cafe on the right. In the distance, a church tower is visible. The sky is blue with thin clouds.
Market Place

Just in front of St Albans old Town Hall is where the weekly street market is held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. A bustling market has been located in the heart of St Albans since 860.

A short stroll to the right of the Town Hall is Market Place and French Row. These lovely streets are filled with stunning architecture and charming shops. On the left, heading down Market Place, you’ll spot the old Corn Exchange built in 1857, which replaced the Market Hall erected around 1596.

A street-level view of the Kings Hill Jewellery shop in St Albans, Hertfordshire, shows the storefront set in a historic building with a light-colored stone facade and arched details. The shop windows display jewelry, and two black A-frame signs stand on the cobblestone street in front. The sky is blue with light clouds.
Old Corn Exchange

Continuing down Market Place, you’ll undoubtedly see St Albans’s ancient Clock Tower, which was built in 1405 and is the only medieval town belfry in England. The tower, with its historic bell, has survived over 600 years of use.

The local people of St Albans used the Bell Tower to exert their freedom against the power of the Benedictine Abbey of England, now St Albans Cathedral.

A low-angle shot of the Clock Tower in St Albans, Hertfordshire, shows the stone tower against a bright blue sky. The tower features a clock face, arched windows, and a decorative top. A portion of a white building is visible to the left, and a street with shops is in the background.
St Albans Clock Tower

The Belfry allowed the town to regulate its own hours until 1863. The bell was also used to alert the town in case of fire or affray. The bell rang out for the first Battle of St Albans during the Wars of the Roses in 1455.

You can climb the 93 narrow winding steps to the top of the tower to enjoy a magnificent view across St Albans city skyline. The Bell Tower is open from Easter through to the end of September and has restricted access.

Where to stay in St Albans

White Hart Hotel

This historic city centre hotel is a 600-year-old coaching inn in the heart of St Albans opposite the cathedral and abbey.

Free private onsite parking is available.

Holiday Inn Express

Is a clean and friendly hotel located around three miles outside St Albans historic centre and just a short hop from the M25.

Private onsite parking is available free of charge; they also have EV charging facilities.

Visiting St Albans Cathedral

The Abbey’s ancient Gateway
In AD 793, St Albans Benedictine Abbey was founded by King Offa of Mercia during the Anglo-Saxon era. It is situated near the hill-top location of where Alban was martyred for his Christian faith in circa AD 250.
A wide shot of St Albans Cathedral in Hertfordshire shows the exterior of the building with its Gothic architecture, including pointed arches and a tall tower. The cathedral is built of light-colored stone and is framed by green trees and hedges. The sky is blue with a few wispy clouds. Numerous people are gathered in the grassy area in front of the cathedral.
Southwest view of St Albans Cathedral

Fast forward 500 years, and King Henry VIII announced the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The grand Abbey of St Alban was dissolved on 5th December 1539. It wasn’t until St Alban’s was granted city status in 1877 that the Abbey Church of St Albans was declared a Cathedral.

As you stroll around the church, you’ll notice that a considerable amount of St Albans Cathedral architecture dates from Norman times; additional elements of Romanesque and Gothic styles were added through the centuries.

The interior of St Albans Cathedral in Hertfordshire is captured in a long shot, showcasing the nave with rows of wooden chairs leading towards the altar. The cathedral's architecture features soaring arches, stone columns, and a wooden ceiling. Modern screens are placed along the sides, contrasting with the historic setting. Two people are faintly visible walking towards the altar in the distance.
St Albans' Cathedral Nave
A faded mural on a stone wall inside St Albans Cathedral in Hertfordshire depicts a figure in a long, dark robe standing on a red, pedestal-like base. The mural shows signs of age and wear, with the colors muted and the details indistinct. The surrounding architecture includes stone arches and columns, suggesting a historic setting. A wooden panel is visible to the right.
Medieval pillar painting

The Nave in St Albans Cathedral is incredible, and it can boast to be the longest Nave in the country, at 85 metres long. The vast pillars that line the Nave are decorated with beautiful medieval wall paintings.

One of the sights not to be missed within the cathedral is the Shrine of St Alban, who, as I mentioned, is believed to be the first-recorded British saint. The shrine of St Alban is a significant site of national pilgrimage and has been a central point for visitors and pilgrims for over 1700 years.

The interior of St Albans Cathedral in Hertfordshire features the detailed shrine of St Alban with a decorative red and gold panel at its center. The structure is adorned with intricate carvings and flanked by lit candles. A person is seen in the background, standing to the left. The cathedral's architecture includes ribbed vaulting and stained glass windows, creating a solemn and historic atmosphere.
St Albans shrine
The interior of St Albans Cathedral in Hertfordshire features a large, circular stained glass window with vibrant colors and intricate patterns. The window is set in a stone wall above a wooden balcony. Below the balcony, two smaller arched windows with stained glass are visible, along with a stone carving of a figure. The ceiling above is made of dark wood panels.
Rose Window in St Albans Cathedral

Wandering around, you’ll see some stunning stained-glass windows throughout the cathedral; however, one in particular that’s amazing is the Rose Window. The vibrant design you see today was added in 1989, replacing an earlier Victorian plain glass window.

St Albans Cathedral is a lovely church to stroll around in, and it has many aspects that will catch your eye. The Quire is a must-see, along with the Wallingford High Altar screen; the screen has such incredible detail and a statue of a saint in every cove. The original screen was circa 1480; the saint statues are Victorian, and the originals were destroyed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

The interior of St Albans Cathedral in Hertfordshire features an ornate altar with a crucifix and numerous statues, set against a backdrop of a vaulted ceiling with intricate patterns. The altar is adorned with candles and a green cloth, and the space is framed by arched doorways and stained glass windows. The architecture showcases the cathedral's grandeur and historical significance. 1
Wallingford High Altar screen
The interior of St Albans Cathedral in Hertfordshire features a stone tomb with a blue and gold decorated top, positioned between two large stained glass windows. The windows showcase colorful religious scenes, and the tomb is surrounded by lit candles on stands. The cathedral's architecture includes arched doorways and stone columns, creating a historic and solemn atmosphere.
The Shrine of St Amphibalus
Another shrine to be found in St Albans Cathedral is the Shrine of St Amphibalus. Amphibalus was the Christian priest that St Alban sheltered from persecution. The original shrine built in the Middle Ages, was destroyed during the Reformation, some of the damaged pieces were rediscovered in the Cathedral in 1872.
A close-up shot of a stone carving in St Albans Cathedral, Hertfordshire, features a section of a decorative structure with several small, sculpted faces. The carving is detailed and shows signs of age and wear. The background includes a blue surface with floral patterns. The lighting highlights the texture and details of the stone.
Carving with a face mask

It’s a good idea to chat with the volunteers at the cathedral as they have some fantastic knowledge and will show you hidden details of the church that you may otherwise miss. A lovely lady in the cathedral showed us a piece of ancient graffiti, a dancing skeleton and a tiny carving added to the Shrine of St Amphibalus when it was restored in 2020. You can spot the modern-day addition; the little head carving has a face mask, a reminder of COVID-19.

Keep an eye out for the Peregrine Falcons nesting in St Albans Cathedral, or you can catch them on the Peregrine Live Cam.

A historic stone gateway in St Albans, Hertfordshire, features a large archway leading into a courtyard. The gateway, built with light-colored stone, has decorative towers on either side and a wooden door on the left. Bare tree branches frame the top of the shot, and a car is parked on the right. The sky is blue and sunny.
Abbey Gateway

Stepping outside of St Albans Cathedral, you’ll see the spectacular Abbey Gateway. Abbey Gateway and St Albans Abbey are the only remaining structures which formed part of the old Benedictine Monastery.

Abbey Gateway was built in 1365 and was besieged during the Peasants’ Revolt in 1381; it was used as a prison following the dissolution of the Abbey in 1539. From 1871 to the present day, the Gateway became part of St Albans School.

The school has had many famous former students, including Nicholas Breakspear, who became Pope Adrian IV, the only English Pope and the renowned Physicists and Cosmologist Professor Stephen Hawking.

St Albans Tourist Information

If you’re tempted to visit St Albans, the local tourist office provides some extremely useful information and handy pointers for around the city. The tourist information office can be found in St Albans Museum and Gallery on St Peter’s Street.

Uncovering St Albans history

The Romans left their mark
We wend our way to Verlamium Park in the footsteps of Romans. Verulamium Park is a 100-acre park where Roman life began in St Albans.
A landscape shot from St Albans, Hertfordshire, features a lake with a small island in the center. The island is covered with trees, and a building with a tower is visible in the distance. The lake is surrounded by a grassy area, and several white birds are scattered across the water. The sky is blue with light clouds.
Verlamium Park
It’s a beautiful park to stroll around and a tranquil place to relax with a picnic and watch the world pass by. There’s an ornamental lake which was constructed in 1929 and is now home to many water birds and has its own heronries.
A wide shot of an ancient Roman mosaic floor, featuring a grid pattern of square panels with circular designs. The mosaic is made of small, colored tiles and shows patterns of red, white, and brown. The edges of the mosaic are rough, with exposed earth and fragments of stone, indicating an archaeological site.
Roman Mosaic and Hypocaust

Verlamium Park is named after the aforementioned Roman City of Verulamium, on which it stands; here, you can see the remains of the ancient City walls and the outline of the London Gate.

You must include a stop at the Roman Mosaic and Hypocaust, which are free to visit. The stunning Roman mosaic is part of a suite of rooms in a large townhouse built around AD 200. The mosaic floor and hypocaust were uncovered during the excavation of Verlamium Park and left in situ. The 1800-year-old hypocaust displays one of the first heating systems in the country.

A sunny, daytime shot of a circular brick building with a conical tile roof in St Albans, Hertfordshire. The building features arched windows and doorways, and a paved walkway surrounds it. Modern street lamps stand in front, and signage is visible near the entrance. The sky is blue with a few wispy clouds.
Verulamium Museum
A short stroll from the Roman mosaic is the Verulamium Museum, where you can indulge in the knowledge of everyday Roman life in this major Roman city. You’ll find re-created Roman rooms and hands-on discovery zones.

Hiking the Hertfordshire Countryside

The Hertfordshire countryside in the east of England is perfect for hikes; discover its many trails around St Albans, The Chilterns, and Watling Chase. To explore these delightful walks in this region, you’ll want the Ordnance Survey Explorer map no. 182.

Alternatively, why not purchase and download the OS Maps App, which covers all of Great Britain.

Discovering more of St Albans

A picture house and an alehouse
As we further explore the cobbled streets of St Albans, we find some charming architecture from across the centuries. Along George Street, there are many attractive Tudor buildings, courtyards, quaint shops, and boutiques.
A street-level view of a row of shops in St Albans, Hertfordshire, features buildings with varied architectural styles. The shops have display windows and signage, and some have flowers and plants outside. The street is paved with cobblestones, and cars are parked along the side. The sky is blue with a few clouds.
George Street, St Albans
Wandering through the main Verulam Road is really pleasant; there are lots of independent shops and your usual High Street brands. Ensure you keep looking up to admire the historic architecture as so often fascinating things pass you by.
A street-level view of a corner building in St Albans, Hertfordshire, features a mix of architectural styles. The building has a prominent corner entrance with a balcony, and the facade includes timber framing and brickwork. Shops line the street, and a person is walking in front of the building. The sky is blue and sunny.
Attractive architecture

Strolling down London Road, we spot the beautifully restored Art Deco Odyssey Cinema. This independent arthouse cinema stands on the sight of Hertfordshire's first cinema, the Alpha Picture Palace, which was opened in 1908 by film-making pioneer Arthur Melbourne-Cooper.

The cinema has had a few name changes over the decades and was formerly named the Poly Picture Palace, The Regent, the Capitol, to the Odeon in the 70s.

A street-level view of the Odyssey Cinema in St Albans, Hertfordshire, features the building's Art Deco facade. The cinema has a cream-colored exterior with the word "ODYSSEY" displayed vertically on its front. A marquee with "THE ODYSSEY CINEMA" is visible above the entrance. The street is paved with asphalt, and the sky is blue with light clouds.
 Odyssey Cinema
What better way to end a day on your feet than a bite to eat in what is believed to be England’s oldest pub? Ye Olde Fighting Cocks has purportedly to have been in business since AD 793, and the octagonal building is overflowing with charm.
The interior of the ye olde fighting cocks, a traditional pub in St Albans, Hertfordshire, features a wooden bar with a selection of bottles and taps. The pub has exposed wooden beams on the ceiling and walls, and a fireplace with a burning fire is visible in the background. 1 The seating includes wooden chairs and stools, and the lighting is warm and inviting.
Inside Ye Olde Fighting Cocks
The pub has been amazingly preserved; the timber-framed building was originally used as a pigeon coup by monks and was named The Round House. In 1756 it was trading under the name of The Three Pigeons, and then around 1800, it was renamed the Fighting Cocks.

Escape for a few days

Are you in search of a tranquil hideaway to relax and unwind in, while you discover the beautiful British countryside?

Browse through the handpicked properties and unique retreats at Holiday Cottages.

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