Location: St. Albans
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10 Budget-friendly Things to do in St. Albans That You Shouldn't Miss
St Albans /sənt ˈɔːlbənz/, /seɪn ... / is a city in Hertfordshire, England, and the major urban area in the City and District of St Albans. It lies east of Hemel Hempstead and west of Hatfield, about 20 miles (32 km) north-northwest of central London, 8 miles (13 km) southwest of Welwyn Garden City and 11 miles (18 km) south-southeast of Luton. St Albans was the first major town on the old Roman road of Watling Street for travellers heading north, and it became the Roman city of Verulamium. It is a historic market town and is now a dormitory town within the London commuter belt and the Greater London Built-up Area.
Restaurants in St. Albans
1. City and District of St Albans Tour Guides
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 19 reviews
St Albans Tour Guides offer a variety of walking tours from April to October - see our website or TIC for the schedule and walk descriptions. We also offer walks and talks for private groups throughout the year by arrangement. [email protected]
2. St. Albans Organ Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By Q424INchrisb
This is a hidden gem, the volunteers do a great job of maintaining the organs and other Artifacts. The regular concerts are good. We have used venue for events several times, AGM of local disabled swimming club (Salmon), their team Of volunteers have made all our disabled members welcome and felt special. It is so nice to see such passion to preserve the organs and keeping them doing what they were made for entertaining people of all ages, from our young kids to those in their nineties all enjoy it. Thank you on behalf of all Salmon Club members.
3. St Albans South Signal Box
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 74 reviews
Reviewed By Neil-KAAG - Ellenton, United States
How amazing to find that this wonderful signal box has not been destroyed like so many other great railway structures from so called improvements. A marvellous insight into mechanical signalling. Brought back so many memories of my time in Abington Box on the West Coast Main Line between Beattock Summit and Carstairs Junction. Very Happy Days!!
4. The Odyssey Cinema
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 468 reviews
Reviewed By julia015 - London, United Kingdom
So thrilled that The Odyssey are now showing National Theatre productions on a regular basis. We're really lucky that London is so convenient, however when we can sit in the luxury of the cinema so close to home, why bother going in on the train to pay such crazy prices. The seats are wonderfully comfortable, the view and sound quality is marvellous, and the drinks and snacks excellent. Kicked off with Fleabag, and saw Present Laughter a couple of days ago. So much more civilised than the local Odeon!!! Roll on Cyrano de Bergerac.
5. De Havilland Aircraft Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 432 reviews
The UK’s oldest aviation museum dedicated to the preservation of the de Havilland aviation heritage. We are currently closed due to the pandemic. We plan to re-open on the 18th May 2021 government guidelines allowing.
Reviewed By biertonscout1 - Aylesbury, United Kingdom
Wifey & I visited the museum as we’d not been fir several years and also wifey has been in lock down and it was one if the few places we could get tickets for ! We were greeted at the gate by one if the volunteers who, when we shower wifey was disabled, told us the best place to park. We’d booked online the night before but needn’t have as it was sadly very quiet.... Our details were taken at the door by another volunteer who explained their COVID precautions and we entered. The friendly young guy at the desk checked our booking, gave us a guide an warmly welcomed us in. The operate a one way system and require masks in the hangars but not outside. There’s hand sanitizer at every entrance and exit. There are numerous knowledgeable guides around all the exhibits who are more than happy to explain what you are looking at and some if the history. This is very definitely a “men in sheds” type museum BUT they are preserving the name DeHavilland and its rich history and relationship with the surrounding area. Wifey and I will DEFINITELY be back and I aim to take out a membership later in the year. All in all a lovely little museum, nicely stocked shop and tea room, Uber friendly volunteers and spotlessly clean and immaculately kept.
6. St Albans Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,225 reviews
St Albans Cathedral is the oldest site of continuous Christian worship in Britain. It stands over the place where Alban, the first martyr, was buried after giving his life for his faith over 1700 years ago.The building itself is a blend of architectural styles spanning a millennia and contains recycled Roman bricks from Verulamium. Of special interest are the 13th century wall paintings, a rare watching loft and the shrines of Saint Alban and Amphibalus, the priest who converted Alban to Christianity.
Reviewed By Spawnymc - Abbots Langley, United Kingdom
Another addition to my visits to Pre 1500 Cathedrals.. This one is more Norman than Gothic... Great history here... The volunteer guides are so helpful, knowledgeable and very friendly... Make sure you go on a guided tour.. at the time of my visit they were displaying the "Black Jesus" Last Supper painting... As for parking.. I suggest going to the Maltings Car park.. just a 5 to 10 min walk (depending on how quick you walk) to the Cathedral.
7. Verulamium Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 994 reviews
Verulamium Park is a public park in the City of St Albans, Hertfordshire. Along with being a wide open area for recreational purposes, the park includes all that is left of a Roman settlement from which the park takes it's name. The large amount of history on view in the park has resulted in a museum dedicated to the Historic Roman heritage upon which St Albans has been built. The park also includes a long list of facilities including; Tennis courts, sand courts, football and cricket pitches, An athletics track and field facility, a golf course, childrens play area, outdoor childrens Splash Park, a large leisure facility called westminster lodge Leisure Centre which contains a gym and indoor swimming pool, a cafe, a large lake fed by the River Ver, plenty of provision for picnics and family activities and what is thought to be the oldest and one of the most famous public houses in England called The Fighting Cocks. Overlooking the entire area is the St Albans Abbey, a large cathedral dating back to 1077AD. The park is an epicentre of greenery and wildlife and it is a hub of social and recreational activity that the people of St Albans can be extremely proud of.
Reviewed By 366CarolineB366 - Berkhamsted, United Kingdom
Luxury to have such an amazing open space in the city. Ride your bike, walk, run, the choice is yours. There’s room for everyone. Plus there are volley ball nets, a skatepark, swings for the little ones. A lovely river to stroll along which takes you to the Fighting Cocks Pub for lunch or dinner and a drink - absorb the history. Walk up to the Cathedral which is free to enter. Leave a donation if you can! Picnics with friends and family, a lunch time walk to clear the head. So many choices. There is a cafe in the park. Parking is available. If you come on the train you have the choice of both the City train station - just 18 mins from St Pancras International station, and there is the Abbey station where the train line runs to Watford with connections to London Euston and onto MK etc. Lots of Roman ruins and sign boards to explore too and there is Verulamium to visit and the Museum plus there is the wildlife trust in their fantastic building. So many bees and butterflies in the wildlife garden. Have fun.
8. Verulamium Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 465 reviews
Reviewed By chrisvantris - Sydney, Australia
This museum, while small, is a treasure. The artifacts are displayed in an interesting and informative way and help visitors to piece together what life was like in Roman Britain. The mosaic floors are particularly stunning.
9. Pots of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By SmilesPottersBar
Enjoyed our experience with 5 year old granddaughter. Helpful staff who explained how everything works. Doesn’t have to be too expensive if you choose something smaller to paint. Recommended.
10. St Albans Clock Tower
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 347 reviews
Completed by 1405, the Clock Tower is the only surviving medieval town belfry in England and is designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The tower with its fine bell has survived over 600 years of use. The Clock Tower was first and foremost a political statement. The townspeople used it to assert their freedom, power and wealth in the face of the premier Benedictine Abbey of England (now St Albans Cathedral). The Clock Tower is generally open from Easter (Good Friday) to the end of September, every Saturday and Sunday and Bank Holiday, between 10.30am and 5pm. Last admission 4.45pm. It is also sometimes open on other special occasions like Heritage Open Days (September), the Food & Drink 'Feastival' (September) and the Christmas Lights switch-on (November). Admission: Adults: £1. Children: free. Unfortunately the Clock Tower is not wheelchair or buggy accessible or for those who experience claustrophobia. The climb up to the top is via 93 very narrow and steep steps.
Reviewed By Travelling_SE_Asia - St. Albans, United Kingdom
The Clock Tower, on Market Place in St Albans town centre is apparently the only remaining medieval town belfry in England. Built around 1405, the clock tower is about 20 metres (66 ft.) high and includes four floors and the roof floor. The facia of the tower is flint stone and the tower has some gargoyles. The last time I visited was with a local Scout Group on a tour of St Albans. Well worth the visit to see a fabulous piece of local history.
