St Albans has a wealth of attractions and plenty to see and do. Below is a list of the main attractions. Please note the external links (see right) which include an electronic version of our Visitor Guide and, for disabled visitors, a link to the St Albans pages of the popular DisabledGo website.
Abbey Gateway
The Abbey Gateway is the only building that remains of the Abbey of St Albans. Built in 1365, it was used for many years as a prison. It was the Liberty Gaol until 1868 and now forms part of St Albans school.
Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban
The magnificent Abbey Church dominates the city's skyline on every main approach. Its architecture is a blend of many different periods, and its great tower includes Roman bricks salvaged from the ruins of Verulamium. It is best known for the shrine of St Alban - Britain's first Christian martyr, which attracted pilgrims from far and wide and contributed to the growth of the city. The Norman church replaced the Saxon monastery and the Victorian restoration began in 1832. Though controversial, Lord Grimthorpes restoration works in the 1880's ensured the Cathedral's survival.
Today, the Cathedral is a busy centre for church, cultural and civic events and is the mother church of the Diocese of St Albans serving Bedfordshire, Luton, Hertfordshire and part of the London Borough of Barnet.
Cathedral facilities include a visitor centre and refectory, guided tours, induction loop, braille guides and special toilets for the disabled.
Opening hours
08.30 - 17.45 daily
Contacts
Telephone (01727) 860780
Email mail@stalbanscathedral.org.uk
Website www.stalbanscathedral.org.uk
Clock Tower
Built between 1403 and 1412 the Clock Tower is one of only two medieval belfries in England. Giving fine views of the Abbey, Roman Verulamium and the City, the tower with its fine bell has survived almost 600 years of use.
The Clock Tower was a political statement, enabling the town to sounds its own hours, and, until 1863, the Curfew. It also gave the alarm in case of "fire or fray" - its bell rang out for the first battle of St Albans during the War of the Roses in 1455.
The Clock Tower is owned by the District Council. It is opened by volunteers of the joint Clock Tower Committee of the St Albans Civic Society and the St Albans and Hertfordshire Architectural and Archaeological Society.
Opening hours
10.30 - 17.00 hrs Saturdays, Sundays & Bank Holidays from Easter to early September.
Contacts
Telephone (01727) 751810
Website www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk
The de Havilland Aircraft Heritage (incorporating the Mosquito Aircraft Museum)
Located by Salisbury Hall, about half a mile south of junction 22 on the M25 near the London Colney Savacentre, the de Havilland Heritage has the main aim of preserving the products and memorabilia of the de Havilland World Enterprise. Today the museum has on display 20 types of de Havilland aircraft ranging from DH Moths to modern military and civil jets.
The aim is to keep access to the exhibits informal, with visitors often allowed into some of the aircraft if supervised by guides. Although many of the aircraft may not fly again, the restorations are authentic and have as many of the systems operational as possible.
Opening hours
March - October
14.00 - 17.30 hrs Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday
10.30 - 17.30 hrs Sundays & Bank Holidays
Contacts
Telephone (01727) 822051 / 826400
Future Gardens (Presented by Butterfly World project)
Butterfly World’s 2009 Future Gardens event will be open for four months from June 5th to October 3rd. It will offer visitors the chance to see and appreciate 12 handpicked designer gardens alongside a huge cornfield meadow, Dame Miriam Rothschild’s Nectar Garden, a Land Art walk, three gardens by celebrated landscape designer Ivan Hicks and an outstanding retail area which will also sell specialist plants from some of the best growers. Car parking is free, and there is a refreshment centre.
Opening hours
9am - 6pm (7 days a week)
Location
Future Gardens, Miriam Lane, off Noke Lane, Chiswell Green. AL2 3DS
Prices
Adults £12.50, Children (under 16) £5.00,
Senior/Conc £9.50, Family (2 adult /2 child ) £32.00,
Groups (10+) adult £11, Conc £8, Child £4.00 (Under 3's Free)
Contacts
Telephone (01727) 751810
Email visitors@futuregardens.org
Website www.futuregardens.org
Gorhambury House
Seat of the Earl of Verulam, Gorhambury was built in the late 18th century by the architect Robert Taylor. The present house replaced the old Gorhambury House built in the 16th century and the home of Francis Bacon, the philosopher and a writer. Its ruins stand nearby. The present house contains a fine collection of family photographs.
Facilities include a bookstall.
Opening hours
14.00 - 17.00 hrs Thursday only, May to September
Contacts
Telephone (01727) 854051
Kingsbury Watermill
Close to Verulamium Park is the Kingsbury Watermill. Once the Abbot's malt mill, the present building was constructed in the 16th century. Its beautifully restored wheel churns the water of the River Ver and visitors can see the milling machine and a selection of farming implements.
Facilities include a restaurant, gift shop, toilets and car parking.
Opening hours
10.00 - 18.00hrs (17.00 hrs November to Easter)
Contacts
Telephone (01727) 853502
Website: www.kingsburywatermill.co.uk
Margaret Harvey Gallery
Run by the University of Hertfordshire Galleries, Margaret Harvey Gallery is a pleasant cultural surprise, slightly hidden in the Law building on Hatfield Road, St Albans. Throughout the year a series of contemporary exhibitions, some curated by UH Galleries and some on national tour, transform the gallery space and provide contemplation for visitors. The programme includes solo and group exhibitions with talks given by the artists, providing a further insight to their work. A great way to
spend a thoughtful hour, close to the city centre, but away from the hustle and bustle of St Peter's Street.
Opening hours: Wednesday – Saturday 1100–1700 hrs
For information on exhibitions: Tel: 01707 284290
Location
University of Hertfordshire, 7 Hatfield Road, St Albans AL1 3RR
Email info.uhgalleries@herts.ac.uk
Website www.uhgalleries.ac.uk
Museum of St Albans
The fascinating story of St Albans from its rise as a medieval market town and coaching centre to a modern commuter environment is told through lively displays using the museum's collections. It is also home to the famous Salaman Collection of trade tools. Special exhibitions are held regularly, and the museum has a wildlife garden and pond.
Facilities include toilets and car parking.
Opening hours
Open all year
10.00 - 17.00 hrs Monday to Saturday
14.00 - 17.00 hrs Sunday
Contacts
Telephone (01727) 819340
Website www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk
Redbournbury Watermill
Redbournbury mill is an 18th century watermill lying in the River Ver just north of St Albans. The river and surrounding countryside are a haven for wildlife and is an ideal stop-off for walkers.
Opening hours
Every Sunday afternoon throughout the year from 1400 - 1700hrs (Winter 1430 - 1630hrs).
Bakery open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings.
Other special open days (contact for details).
Open for private groups and tours by arrangement (contact for details)
Contacts
Telephone (01582) 792874
Email redbrymill@aol.com
Website www.redbournmill.co.uk
Redbourn Village Museum
The Silk Mill House in Redbourn houses this village museum, with galleries for photographic and art exhibitions as well as a display of the early history of the village. Exhibits include stone heads and stonework from the 12th century Priory as well as more recent history including that of the stage coach days when 30 inns and alehouses lined the High Street and 60 north-bound coaches passed through each day. Here you can learn about the links with the Bowes-Lyon family and with Dr Henry Stephens, inventor of Blue/Black writing fluid, the first ink of its kind.
The Museum building was donated by Brooke Bond Foods and has its own gardens and limited car parking.
Opening hours
Open all year
14.00 - 17.00 hrs Saturday
12.00 - 17.00 hrs Sunday
Contacts
Telephone (01582) 793397
Email redbournmuseum@aol.com
Website www.redbourn.org.uk
Roman Theatre
Just a short walk from Verulamium Museum is the Roman Theatre, the best preserved example in Britain. Used originally for bear baiting and cock fighting, its fine acoustics were also perfectly suited to musical and dramatic performances. Close by are the foundations of a Roman town house, a sacred shrine and a row of Roman shops.
Opening hours
10.00 - 17.00 hrs daily (10.00 - 16.00 hrs in winter)
Contacts
Telephone (01727) 835035
Website www.romantheatre.co.uk
St. Albans Organ Theatre
A permanent working exhibition of mechanical musical instruments, which formed part of a private collection. The museum has live performances of the various instruments ranging from musical boxes to theatre organs.
Opening hours
14.00 - 16.30 hrs Sunday
Contacts
Telephone (01727) 851557 / 873896
Website www.stalbansorgantheatre.org.uk
St Albans South Signal Box
Located by St Albans City Station - platform 4 exit. A rare survivor, the grade 2 listed signal box was built by the Midland railway Company in 1892 and contains a 1904 signal lever frame. It is the only signal box on a mainline railway line open to the public. Signalling equipment from the pre-computer era is displayed in the landscaped gardens.
There are slideshows, posters on display and regular demonstrations of signalling using the original lever frame and Midland railway equipment - visitors are encouraged to 'have a go' at changing the signals and accepting the train from Harpenden.
Opening hours
Easter - October
14.00 - 17.00hrs 2nd and 4th Sunday each month (check website for dates)
Open for private groups and tours by arrangement (contact for details)
Contacts
Telephone (01727) 836131
Email info@sigbox.co.uk
Website www.sigbox.co.uk
Verulamium Museum
The award-winning museum of everyday life in Roman Britain. Verulamium features magnificent mosaics and recreated rooms, giving the visitor an opportunity to discover the life and times of a major Roman city. Legion XIII occupy the galleries every second week of the month describing the tactics and equipment of the Roman army. The Museum also has touch screen databases, hands-on discovery areas and hundreds of remarkable objects.
Facilities include a Museum shop, toilets and adjacent car park.
Opening hours
Open all year
10.00 - 17.30 hrs Monday to Saturday (last admission 17.00hrs)
14.00 - 17.30 hrs Sunday (last admission 17.00hrs)
Contacts
Telephone (01727) 751810
Website www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk
Willow Farm Village
Willows Farm Village at London Colney is a 500 acre leisure attraction, which features a wide variety of animals, dozens of attractions and activities, adventure play, boating lake and a daily programme of entertainment.2004, our 3rd season, sees an exciting
programme of special events and activities, including old favourites like Daft Duck Trials, Willows Sheepstakes, Bird-o-batics Falconry displays and Legend of the Lake.
Opening Hours
Open 7 days a week 10.00am - 5.30pm
Farm Shop opening hours – All year round 10.00am - 5.00pm.
Free car & coach parking,
Baby changing and disabled toilet facilities,
Only guide dogs are allowed in the Farm Village
Contact Details
Willows Farm Village
Coursers Road
London Colney
St.Albans
Hertfordshire
AL2 1BB
Telephone: 0870 1299718
Fax 01727 822365
Email info@willowsfarmvillage.com
Website www.willowsfarmvillage.com
Date of last review: 19 March 2009