Saint Albans: Roman heritage, city history and routes

Saint Albans offers several reasons to stay for visitors interested in Roman history, medieval buildings, and walking or cycling routes. Its historic sites range from the remains of the Roman city of Verulamium to the cathedral and a medieval clock tower. Parks, a market, and routes of varying lengths are also among the things you can consider when planning your trip.

Roman Verulamium: theatre, walls and museum

The Roman Theatre of Verulamium dates from AD 140 and is the oldest working theatre in the United Kingdom. It is also the venue for the seasonal OVO Roman Theatre Open Air Festival. If the festival is important for your travel dates, check the event dates in advance.

The Roman Wall of St Albans was built between AD 265 and 270 to defend the Roman city of Verulamium. Most of its two-mile course can be traced. Verulamium Museum stands on the site of one of the largest Roman cities in Britain. In Verulamium Park, the city walls and the outline of the Roman city's London Gate are visible. The Hypocaust, an ancient Roman underfloor heating system, is also located there.

The museum regularly holds weekend gallery talks about the Roman city of Verulamium. Alongside the historic buildings, these offer a recurring opportunity to hear about the history of the place.

Medieval buildings and their history

St Albans Clock Tower is the only surviving medieval town belfry in England and is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument. It was completed by 1405 as a symbol of the town's resistance to the power of the Abbot of St Albans. The climb to the top involves 93 very narrow, steep steps.

St Albans Cathedral houses two medieval shrines and has a history spanning 1,700 years. Its Tower Tours climb 211 winding steps to the Norman Tower. The number and shape of the steps provide a concrete comparison of the two tower climbs; check current dates before planning a tour.

The visible ruins of Sopwell Nunnery are the remains of Sir Richard Lee's Tudor mansion, built on the foundations of the nunnery. The site lies along two local walking routes in the Ver Valley. Here, the history of the buildings meets descriptions of routes in the surrounding area.

Parks and routes on different scales

Verulamium Park covers 175 acres of parkland and holds Green Flag and Green Heritage Site awards. The visible Roman walls and the outline of the London Gate provide a direct link to the history of Verulamium. Clarence Park is a 25-acre Victorian-style park in the heart of St Albans. The parks differ in size and character, and are not described in the same way.

The St Albans Green Ring is a continuous walking and cycling route, approximately nine kilometres long, around the town centre. It connects at least 13 green spaces and at least nine child-focused destinations. The nine-mile Abbey Way is also signposted for walkers and cyclists, but runs through the Colne Valley between Watford and St Albans. Their different lengths and routes help you understand the respective geographical setting of each route.

For longer distances, St Alban's Way is a 35-mile walking route divided into five stages. The 5.5-mile St Amphibalus Way follows the River Ver from Redbourn to St Albans. In addition to serving as a transport route, the Alban Way is a green corridor for plants and animals. These routes differ both in length and in their stated alignment.

Market, railway heritage and getting here

St Albans Market offers produce, gifts, household goods and international street food on Wednesdays and Saturdays. On the second Sunday of each month, the focus is on local food and drink, as well as sustainable arts and crafts. As trading details and the market programme may change, check the information for your visit.

St Albans South signal box is also part of the town's railway and architectural heritage. It is listed as a Grade II building and is one of a small minority of surviving signal boxes on an active main line. Groups can arrange visits by prior appointment.

The Abbey Flyer line from Watford Junction serves St Albans Abbey station. St Albans is 20 minutes by train from London St Pancras International; journey times may vary depending on the service. Check current train services for your travel day.

Discover more destinations: Hertford, Potters Bar, Datchworth, Markyate, Baldock, Meriden, Elstree, Ware.

For the broader travel overview: Hertfordshire.