The old market town of St Albans lies on a hill above the left bank of the small River Ver, 2mi/3km north of the London circular road (M25). The town attracts particular interest because of its abbey and the old Roman settlement of Verulamium. St Albans is a very sports oriented town with one of the
oldest indoor skateparks, a local football club, rugby and hockey leagues.
The town owes its name to St Alban, a Roman mercenary, who was converted to Christianity by St Amphibalus and who suffered a martyr's death in 304. His relics were discovered in 793 when Offa, King of Mercia, founded a Benedictine monastery here; this has been the diocesan church of Hertford and Essex since 1872. At the time of the War of the Roses two decisive battles occurred here in 1455 and 1461 between the House of Lancaster, represented by the red rose, and the House of York, with the white rose.