One of the UK’s oldest cathedral cities, St Albans is a unique opportunity to discover two thousand years of history, just 20 minutes away from London. A bustling market town, it enchants visitors with ‘topsy turvy’ Tudor buildings, elegant Georgian townhouses and dramatic medieval architecture.
The postcard-perfect town centre is lined with independent high street stores, as well as traditional pubs and cosy cafés that are brimming with historic ambience. Home to a thriving cultural scene, St Albans hosts a continuous flow of concerts and theatre productions. Venture further afield, and St Albans is bordered by picturesque parkland, with trees aged up to 1000 years old. Admire the towering St Albans cathedral, get lost in Heartwood Forest, or day trip to one of the nearby villages or hamlets.
At around 31 kilometres northwest of London, St Albans is just a 20-minute train ride from St Pancras, yet feels worlds away from the buzz of the British capital. Alight at St Albans City station, or St Albans Abbey station. Alternatively, reach St Albans via the M1 and M25 motorways, or drive direct from Luton or Heathrow airports.
While today St Albans is brimming with quintessential British cathedral city charm, it was once the third biggest city in Roman Britain. It’s named after the legacy of Alban, a Christian Roman soldier who made history as England’s first martyr in AD 250.