Moving to St. Albans: Back to Roman and Medieval times
26 Aug 2021
St Albans is a cathedral city in the county of Hertfordshire with a rich history that can be traced back to Roman and Medieval times.
St Albans is a cathedral city in the county of Hertfordshire, England. It is one of the smallest towns in the United Kingdom, with a population of just more than 50,000 people, and has a rich history that can be traced back to Roman and Medieval times.
- What makes St. Albans unique?
- St. Albans’s popular attractions
- Nightlife in St. Albans
- Sports in St. Albans
- Food in St. Albans
- Shopping in St. Albans
- St. Albans living costs
- Festivals in St. Albans
- Travel in and around St. Albans
- Explore the UK from St. Albans
Photo credit: The Sunday Times
1. What makes St. Albans unique?
The majestic cathedral, which is the oldest place of Christian worship in the UK, and Verulamium Park, which retraces the city's Roman footsteps, are two places where you can learn more about the city's interesting history for yourself.
Alternatively, you can also climb to the top of the Old Clock Tower for panoramic views over Hertfordshire, or fly back in time to the de Havilland Aircraft Museum, which houses a diverse collection of antique planes from throughout the world. With so much to see and do in St Albans, you will never be stuck for ideas on things to do in the city. There is also plenty of arts and entertainment to discover thanks to the city's thriving theatre, live music, and movie scenes, as well as a small city centre that has dozens of bars, cafés, pubs, clubs, and restaurants.
Photo credit: Rossi Writes
2. St. Albans’s popular attractions
St. Albans is full of fun things to do and unique places to visit. Despite being just a town, within this wonderful place are numerous spots you can not miss, including:
- Saint Albans Cathedral. Named after Alban, Britain's first saint. The 1,000-year-old cathedral has six active choirs, an education institution, and England's longest nave, which is embellished with 13th and 14th-century wall paintings.
- Willows Activity Farm. All the farm-based fun including a Peter Rabbit Adventure Playground, sit-on tractors, carousels and indoor and outdoor play zones.
- de Havilland Aircraft Museum. The Comet, the world's first jet airliner, and the Tiger Moth, which became renowned during WWII, are among the de Havilland aircraft on display.
- St. Albans Museum. A three-story museum and gallery area dedicated to the local tradition, art, and culture dating back over 2,000 years.
- The Clock Tower. Constructed in 1403 as a protest against the neighbouring monastery, is a beautiful city centre building.
- Verulamium Museum. The museum has 159 Roman gold coins and some amazing mosaics, built on the site of one of Britain's greatest Roman towns.
Photo Credit: Stalbanscathedral.org via Google
3. Nightlife in St. Albans
Hundreds of bars, pubs, and clubs to pick from, St Albans boasts an exciting nightlife culture that caters to everyone from those looking for a quiet pint to those seeking out trendy cocktail bars or nightclubs.
The Foragers At The Verulam Arms is not simply a fantastic name for a bar; it also lives true to its moniker, with cuisine and products obtained locally. The Mount Pleasant bar has one of the best beer selections in town, with 20 ales and specialty beers on tap. They also have a microbrewery on site and sell wild-foraged drinks and herbal liqueurs.
Waterend Barn, a huge JD Wetherspoons pub built in two restored barns near the Alban Arena. An outstanding choice of Wetherspoons beverages (and pricing) are available at this fantastic city pub with exposed beam ceilings, Chesterfield couches and unusual rustic decor.
For a more laid-back environment, a mini-bar crawl around St Albans' George Street is a perfect destination for you. Suckerpunch is a stylish cocktail bar with a vibrant ambiance, warm wooden décor, and one of the city's greatest drink menus. Thirty Nine 10 is a beautiful wine boutique with an on-site sommelier and frequent wine tastings.
Returning to George Street, The Snug Bar is located in the 18th-century Fleur De Lys building. The Snug Tavern is a pleasant, friendly bar with a summer beer garden.
Photo Credit: Watford Observer via Google
4. Sports in St. Albans
State-of-the-art facilities open to the public include:
- Duke’s Fitness Centre
- Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre
- Cotlandswick Leisure Centre
- St. Albans Leisure Centre
- Batchwood Golf Course & Sports Centre
Photo Credit: 1Life
5. Food in St. Albans
Here at St. Albans, there are a variety of café or restaurants for you, whether you are looking for a succulent prime rib, Middle Eastern mezze, or a slab of cake and coffee. Lussmanns is one of St Albans' best eateries. Launched in London in 2002, this seafood restaurant has become a symbol of elegant, British cuisine. The bright and spacious restaurant is housed in a glass-roofed location facing the cathedral and provides exceptional value in its set course dinners and seasonal main menu.
Along St. Peters Street are a number of notable eateries, including L'Italiana, an award-winning Italian restaurant. The menu includes over 20 different pizzas and ranges from a classy lunch to a lengthy indulgent evening.
Tabure, a sophisticated Turkish restaurant, is about a minute away. It has a terrific cocktail menu, modernized classics, and a warm, inviting atmosphere. There is also Pub Meze, a popular and buzzy Cypriot bar and restaurant, employing a shared dishes system that matches its energetic ambience.
Prime Steak and Grill on London Road near the Odyssey Cinema is the place to go for a medium rare sirloin steak, Sunday roast or garlic and parmesan fries. Sultry lighting, rich leather seats, and exposed masonry make this a trendy restaurant with a great drinks menu and lunch specials.
Photo Credit: Tripadvisor
6. Shopping in St. Albans
The Maltings is St Albans' major retail complex, with over 70 businesses, cafés, and restaurants, as well as a library and theatre. H&M, New Look, and Topman are among the well-known retailers, while Subway, Jamie's Italian, Love Koffee, and Benito's Hat are among the cafés and eateries. The Maltings Art Theatre, a tiny studio theatre that puts on a mix of drama, comedy, music, and theatrical events, is located in the heart of St Albans.
On the opposite side of the street is Christopher Place Retail Area, a beautiful shopping centre with a range of more alternative, up-market stores including French Connection, Whistles, and Cath Kidston, as well as some good cafés and restaurants like Wagamama, Carluccio's, and The Pudding Stop.
The St Albans Market, which operates every Wednesday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. along St. Peters Street, rounds out the shopping possibilities. The booths in this ancient market, which dates back to the 9th century, offer everything from street food to artisan food, arts and crafts, jewellery, and fashion.
Photo Credit: A1 Taxis Blog
7. St. Albans living costs
Budget guide:
- One-way ticket (Local transport): £3.45
- Meal out: £12.00
- Fast food (McDonald’s): £6.00
- Gasoline (1 litre): £5.73
- Cinema ticket: £11.00
- Taxi (normal tariff): £2.70
Photo Credit: HertsLive via Google
8. Festivals in St. Albans
The St Albans International Organ Festival has been running since 1963, and has hosted celebrities like John Williams who is a Star Wars composer and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Each year, the celebration is held mostly in the Norman cathedral. In 2007, the festival extended to include fringe events around the city, broadening the musical and cultural scope.
The Horn is one of St Albans' main pubs and bars, offering local musicians, guest performances, and DJ events. The Horn, founded in 1974, has hosted U2, Bastille, and Chrissie Hynde at the peak of their careers. It is one of the greatest pubs in St Albans, and it's very adjacent to the railway station.
Photo Credit: St Albans International Organ Festival
9. Travel in and around St. Albans
Travelling about St. Albans has become one of the town's most enjoyable experiences, owing to a magnificent network of public transportation options, which includes planes and trains.
By plane
St Albans is around 10 miles south of Luton Airport, a significant hub for EasyJet, TUI, Ryanair, and Wizz Air. There are frequent trains from St Albans Station to Luton Airport Parkway, which takes roughly 11 minutes by train or 20 minutes by car.
By train
Two railway stations serve the city centre, with St Albans City being the
busiest and serving the majority of commuters. The four-platform station is
equipped with a newsagent, a ticket office, and a number of stores, and it
provides direct trains to London, Wimbledon, Gatwick Airport, Brighton, and
Luton from both the north and south.
Photo Credit: Borehamwood Times
10. Explore the UK from St. Albans
St. Albans is an ideal base for you to start exploring neighbouring cities, towns, and the rest of the UK.
Luton
Thirty miles northwest of Central London, Luton grew dramatically in the 20th century, and its town centre is filled with functional architecture from this time. Most travellers heading to Luton will bypass the town completely on the way to the international airport. But there is a surprising amount to see and do in the town and surrounding countryside. The two main parks Stockwood and Wardown have riveting museums, both of which have recently been boosted by investment. Luton is also just below the northeastern escarpment of the Chiltern Hills, while one of the best zoos in the country, Whipsnade, is in range.
Watford
Watford, despite its small size (it is just eight miles squared), is a popular tourist attraction that punches above its weight. In this Hertfordshire/London town, there is something for everyone, from a thriving town centre with fantastic shopping, nightclubs, and restaurants, to a Premiership football team, theatres, and award-winning parks – including Cassiobury Park, which was named one of the nation's top 10 parks – there is something for everyone.
A wide variety of activities are available, whether it is keeping the kids occupied, playing golf on one the fantastic courses, or enjoying superb food, making it an ideal place to live and visit.
Hatfield
Hatfield House, which served as the centre of the ancient town and was the residence of the Marquess of Salisbury, is the area's most famous historical landmark. Furthermore, it is well-known for the old British Aerospace facility, which was home to a thriving aircraft design and manufacturing business and was a key source of local employment for many years. This is a perfect destination for anyone interested in learning about historical facts and seeing the picturesque views of the ancient times.
Photo Credit: Virgin Balloon Flights