Our road trip leads us this week from Brighton the quaint, historic market town of St Albans. Due to its proximity to London, St Albans has notoriously high property prices, making it one of the most expensive towns in the UK.

The town owes its name to Saint Alban, the first British Christian martyr, who was beheaded in AD 308 as he refused to give up his faith. Ouch.

This, however, went against the orders of Emperor Diocletian, who had denounced the Christian faith and ordered the deaths of all those who held on to their faith.

Over time, St Albans has been home to many famous citizens, including philosopher and scientist Francis Bacon, who lived in Gorhambury House, and physicist Stephen Hawking, who was educated at St Albans School.

When you visit St Albans, you have a great variety of nice walks and parks to visit for a stroll. The most famous parks are:

Cassiobury Park

  • 190 acres of park land close to Watford town centre

Verulamium Park

  • off St Stephens Hill
  • 100 acres of park land close to St Albans Historic City Centre

Just outside the perimeter of Verulamium Park, at the end of Abbey Mill Lane beside the River Ver, you will also find on of England’s oldest public houses, The Fighting Cocks. The house was originally known as The Round House until it was renamed Ye Olde Fighting Cocks. This change in name probably took place in the 19th century and referred to the sport of cock fighting, which was popular at the time and took place in the main bar area.

For lovers of history, this is a ‘must see’:

The Roman Wall of St Alban

  • A two-mile long wall built between AD 265 and 270 to defend the Roman city of Verulamium
  • Includes the foundations of towers and the London Gate

St Albans Cathedral

St Albans also has offerings for more rainy weather:

 

For lunch or dinner, either chose one of the many old, local pubs or follow our insider-tips to:

Chez Mumtaj

  • 136 London Road St Albans
  • town centre 1 AA rosette fine dining Indian restaurant
  • authentic Indian cuisine with French fusion
  • http://www.chezmumtaj.com/

Inn on the Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be Sociable, Share!