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.
The Gardens of the Rose are located at the headquarters of the Royal National Rose Society. This garden has the most comprehensive rose gardens in England, with over 30,000 modern and old rose bushes.
Address: Gardens of the Rose, Royal National Rose Soceity Chiswell Green, St Albans AL2 3NR, England
Hours:
June 9 to September 30: 10am-5pm
Always opened on: Spring Bank Holiday - Britain (last Monday, May ), Summer Bank Holiday - Britain outside Scotland (last Monday, August )
Parking: Free
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Guides: Guided tour included with admission.
Facilities: Gift shop, Restaurant or food service
Transit: Bus: from St Albans: Route 321 to Three Hammers Pub.
To reach the Fighting Cocks Inn, supposedly Britain's oldest inn, leave the St Albans Cathedral in a southwesterly direction and cross the former cathedral garden. Behind this cross the small River Ver to see the former Roman camp of Verulamium.
Address: Fighting Cocks Inn, Abbey Mill Lane, St Albans AL3 4HE, England
Hours:
Always closed on: Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Disability Access: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Hemel Hempstead (pop. 77,695) is on the Gade river 23mi/37km northwest of London. Hemel Hempstead has the Jarman Park Leisure centre offering an ice rink, ten pin bowling, water park and a cinema with 8 screens.
Address: Hemel Hempstead Tourist Office, Dacorum Information Centre Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead HP1 1DT, England
The International Organ Festival and competition takes place every two (odd-numbered) years in early July.
Ten days of events include orchestral, choral and chamber concerts, recitals, art exhibitions and lectures. The repertoire ranges from traditional to neo-modern.
Venues including the cathedral, various churches and the St Albans School are used to facilitate the many daily events.
Address: International Organ Festival Society, Box 80, St Albans AL3 4HR, England
St Albans' Kingsbury Water Mill is located on the bank of the Ver opposite St Michael's Church. Built in the 16th century, the water mill has been restored true to the original and is now used as a museum and to stage art exhibitions as well as a restaurant.
A swan at the Kingsbury Water Mill Museum in St Albans.
Address: Kingsbury Water Mill Museum, St Michael's Street, St Albans AL3 4SJ, England
Hours:
April 1 to October 31: 10am-6pm
November 1 to March 31: 10am-5pm
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
The oldest aviation museum in Great Britain, this site has more than just the three Mosquitoes in its collection. Also to be found are a Venom, a Vampire and a Queen Bee. This is the oldest aircraft museum in the UK.
Address: Mosquito Aircraft Museum, Salisbury Hall, Box 107, London Colney AL2 1EX, England
Hours:
March 1 to October 31: 2pm-5:30pm; Sun:10:30am-5:30pm; Closed: Mon, Wed, Fri
Always opened on: Spring Bank Holiday - Britain (last Monday, May ), Summer Bank Holiday - Britain outside Scotland (last Monday, August )
Tips: Bank Holidays: Hours same as Sunday. Last entry 4:30pm.
Groups by prior arrangement.
Parking: Free
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Guides: Guided tour available as optional extra.
Facilities: Gift shop, Restaurant or food service
Transit: Bus 84 from St Albans or New Barnet. Rail: St Albans station, 4 miles.
Standing in the center of the old town of St Albans is the clock tower, built between 1403 and 1412 and providing a fine panoramic view. The market place and town hall (1829) are reached a little further on. Continue north from here along St Peter's Street to Hatfield Road, site of the new St Albans Museum, which documents the town's history from its beginnings to the present day. Turn east from Hatfield Road along Camp Road to reach the Organ Museum with its magnificent collection of mechanical musical instruments, old music boxes and barrel-organs.
Old Gorhambury House is the remains of an Elizabethan mansion. Old Gorhambury House was built between 1563-1538 by Sir Nicholas Bacon, Queen Elizabeth's Lord Keeper. The remains include a two-storey porch with parts of the hall, chapel and clock-tower.
Address: Old Gorhambury House, St Albans , England
Next to the St Albans museum on the site of the ancient forum stands the trim St Michael's Church, which features a Norman nave containing the tomb of the philosopher Francis Bacon (1561-1626). Bacon is also commemorated here by a monument.
Address: St Michael's Church, St Michael's Street, St Albans AL3 4SL, England
Hours:
April 1 to September 30: 2pm-3:30pm; Sun:2pm-4pm; Sat:2pm-4pm; Closed: Mon, Fri
October 1 to March 31: 2pm-3:30pm; Closed: Mon, Fri, Sun, Mon, Sat
Disability Access: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
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Hemel Hempstead, England
Kingsbury Water Mill Museum, St Albans
