TIMING IS EVERYTHING
- St Albans is “an England in miniature, an essence of England.”
- All the axial lines come together in St Albans on April 23rd, St George’s Day.
- Celebrating England’s patron saint in the quintessence of English cities – that’s as good as it gets.
- For good measure, it’s Market Day!
- And the lightning bolt – Alison makes the case for St Alban replacing St George as our patron saint.
- History, history, history.
- Local knowledge (see below).
- Convenience – St Albans is 20 minutes from London.
“This blessed plot, this earth, this realm , this England” Richard 11, Act 11, Sc 1
Short read: “An England in miniature, an essence of England…” The most fascinating small city in this sceptred isle is just 20 minutes from London. Here you see it all, from the legions of Julius Caesar to the dynasty of the Churchills. These streets are corridors in the vale of time. It is a city full of firsts and superlatives . It is named after England’s first Christian martyr. Alban was a respected citizen living in Roman Verulamium which forms part of Saint Albans city today.
The Cathedral and Abbey Church of St.Abans is the oldest place of continuous worship in the land and boasts the longest nave.
Home to the oldest street market in the country – it dates back to the Saxons; round this corner there’s a 600-year-old moot hall; round that one a clutch of medieval and Tudor coaching inns; hard by, a rare curfew clock tower (“rare” doesn’t do it justice – it’s the only free standing clock tower in the country); up these lanes a sprinkling of half-timbered Elizabethan houses; over there, streets and buildings that are essays in Georgian England; here, a Victorian prison.
Let alone all sorts of hidden, curious places and things – and a skein of enthralling history. And that’s not to mention CAMRA! the Ryder cup and the home of the original hot cross bun.
Long read: Not to put too fine a point on it, St. Albans is London’s best-kept secret!
A market day in April is the perfect time to explore this city. After a 20-minute enjoyable train journey through the Hertfordshire countryside we arrive in Victorian Saint Albans and make our way up the hill to the medieval town where the market will be in full swing. Walking through the High Street we will learn how the town not only changed its name but also moved up the hill to its present-day site. When we break for lunch there are lots of places to eat, from a snack in the marketplace, a traditional pub meal in one of Saint Albans many hostelries (more per square mile than any other city in England) or a leisurely meal in one of the varied and excellent restaurants. You might even want to use your time to explore the cathedral or the city’s museum.
In the afternoon we regroup and our journey takes us further back into the mists of time. Cobbled streets and a plethora of independent shops lead us to the Cathedral quarter and here we hear the story of the martyrdom of Saint Alban and learn how a small Saxon church became the magnificent cathedral it is today. You will be able to explore the cathedral when the tour finishes and you might want to attend Evensong, beautiful music in a beautiful setting. A short stroll down the hill takes us to the site of the original Roman settlement that was one of the largest cities in Roman Britain. When we finish the walk, the time is your own and you will be able to return to West Hampstead or central London at your leisure.
ST. ALBANS – THE PRACTICALS
Meet Alison at 10:45 am just outside the exit of West Hampstead Tube.
Please note that the price listed is the cost of a morning and afternoon walk in St Albans. It does NOT include your train ticket . You will need a day return to St Albans which you can buy at West Hampstead or from central London. You will need to select the best ticket for yourself, depending on whether or not you have an oyster card or a travel card. On average a day return will be between £15 and £20 .
N.B. Buying your own ticket will give you flexibility. You’ll be back in central London at 5 pm. But a slightly earlier return is possible – i.e., if you need to be back earlier 4.30 pm is do-able. And, very conveniently, the return terminus doesn’t have to be West Hampstead Tube. If it’s better for you, you can carry on from West Hampstead – you don’t have to change trains or anything – to St. Pancras/King’s Cross or Blackfriars or London Bridge (in that order). Last but not least, Alison’s local. Local knowledge – you can’t beat it!
LONDON WALKS REVIEWS
“Best Tourism Experience in England” Gold Medal Winner, Visit England
“London Walks was acknowledged as the premier walking tour company in the entire world“ American Tour Guides Convention
ST. ALBANS SOUPÇON
“St Albans Cathedral is the oldest place of continuous Christian worship in the UK – and has the longest nave of any Cathedral, including St Paul’s and Westminster Abbey. St Albans has the only medieval clock tower in the country. St Albans has the oldest public school in Britain where Pope Adrian IV, the only Englishman to occupy the papal chair, and scientist Stephen Hawking were educated. The Roman city of Verulamium (now the site of St Albans’ Verulamium park) was the second-largest town in Roman Britain after Londinium and was burned and destroyed by Queen Boudicca and her army (St Albans) in AD60. St Albans’ pub Ye Olde Fighting Cocks is in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest pub in the country. St Albans Abbey (now Cathedral) was at one time the principal Abbey in England and was the location of the first meeting (in 1213) which ultimately led to the sealing of the Magna Carta (in 1215). World-famous heavy rock group Enter Shakari are from St Albans, and still play the odd gig in the city. St Albans has more pubs per square mile than any other town in the country. Legendary filmmaker Stanley Kubrick lived and worked in the area and produced The Shining in St. Albans.”
PRIVATE ST. ALBANS EXCURSION
If you can’t make the regularly scheduled, just-turn-up, public St. Albans Excursions do think about booking one as a private tour. If you go private you can have the St. Albans Excursion – or any other London Walk or Excursion – on a day and at a time that suits your convenience. We’ll tailor it to your requirements. And – always with private tours and walks – we go to great lengths to make sure the guide-walker(s) “fit” is well-nigh perfect. Ring Fiona, Peter, Mary or Niamh on 020 7624 3978 or email us at [email protected] and we’ll set it up and make it happen for you.
GIVE THE GIFT OF LONDON WALKS
A private St. Albans Excursion makes a fabulous birthday gift or anniversary present or whatever. Merchandise schmerchandise (gift wrapped or not) – but giving someone an experience, now that’s special. Memories make us rich.
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE GUIDING
“If this were a golf tournament every name on the Leader Board would be a London Walks guide”