Escaping London: Top Things to Do and See in St Albans

St Albans town

Fancy getting away from the hustle and bustle of London for a day or two? Allow me to introduce you to St Albans, a delightful and fascinating small city steeped in history spanning back centuries. And with its close proximity to London, there’s really no excuse not to visit it when you’ve got a free day.

From browsing the markets to exploring a slice of Roman Britain to shopping ‘til you drop, there are so many activities and attractions in St Albans. Read on to find out my recommendations for the top things to do and see in St Albans.

St Albans Cathedral

1. St Albans Cathedral

St Albans Cathedral is quite possibly the city’s main drawcard. It’s known as being the longest running Christian church in the country, dating back to the 11th century.

Join a walking tour to find out more about the building’s stunning architecture, which comprises of Norman, Gothic and Modern styles. Admire the stained glass windows and wander around the serene gardens. Children are also catered to as the Cathedral runs various activities, such as making your own brass rubbing and dressing up.

Entry to the cathedral is free, although you can give a donation.

Opening times are 8:30am - 5:30pm every day.

St Albans Clock Tower

2. St Albans Clock Tower

As the only medieval town belfry in England, St Albans Clock Tower is an absolute must. Situated in St Albans city centre, at the end of Market Place, the Clock Tower is Grade I listed, and was constructed during the 1400s.

Climb up the 93 steps to the top of the tower to be rewarded with spectacular views of St Albans.

I’ll point out that the Clock Tower is only open on Saturday and Sunday, between 10:30am and 4:45pm, so plan accordingly.


3. Nkora Coffee

St Albans is home to many independent coffee shops, which are great to pop into at any time of day. Whether you need an energy boost first thing, or want to take a break later in the day to recharge, you’ll have several coffee shops to choose from.

During my trip to St Albans, I discovered Nkora, which is situated along Market Place. Nkora is considered one of the best coffee shops in the city, and usually gets very busy. It offers speciality coffee, as well as tempting pastries.

Nkora is open from 7am - 7pm Monday to Saturday, and 8am - 6:30pm on Sunday.

Verulamium Park

4. Verulamium Park

If you’re in St Albans on a sunny day and want to spend some time outside, look no further than Verulamium Park. To the south of the city and a short walk from the Cathedral, you’ll come across 100 acres of parkland, which has connections to the Romans.

Verulamium Park is hugely popular all year round, and is ideal for all the family, with its children’s play area, ornamental lake, café and sports facilities.

Keep an eye out for the Roman hypocaust, an underfloor heating system with remains that can be found in the centre of the park. Next to the park is Verulamium Museum, where you can learn more about the area’s intriguing past.

The museum is open from 10am - 4:30pm everyday, except Sunday when it’s closed.

Ye Olde Fighting Cocks

5. Ye Olde Fighting Cocks

After exploring Verulamium Park and Museum, stop off for lunch at Ye Olde Fighting Cocks. Considered the oldest pub in England, Ye Olde Fighting Cocks has origins as far back as 793AD, and is a cosy place to get a bite to eat.

The menu includes traditional English pub grub, such as roasts, sausage & mash, and fish & chips.

Alternatively, you could start off your evening with a few pints at Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, and return to the centre for another round. Or two.

6. The Odyssey Cinema

Film fanatics won’t want to miss The Odyssey Cinema! This independent art deco cinema is one of the highlights of St Albans, and was designed by local architect Percival Blow at the turn of the 20th century.

The Odyssey Cinema consists of a single screen with 426 seats, and shows a combination of classics, foreign films and new releases.

Flower Box St Albans

7. Shopping

Although St Albans may be on the smaller side, it has a surprisingly bustling shopping scene. Wander around the centre and you’ll be sure to discover some fun and unique independent shops. Check out Raindrops On Roses for cute gifts from local supplies, Flower Box for fresh flowers and plants, The Dressing Room for chic women’s fashion, and Books On The Hill for all things books.

Of course, as with any British town, St Albans has its share of well-known chain stores too: The Maltings is home to the likes of The Body Shop, Pandora, Hotel Chocolat and New Look, whilst you’ll find Neal’s Yards Remedies, L’Occitane and The White Company in Christopher Place.

Most shops in St Albans operate between the hours of 9am and 6pm, with shorter opening times on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

8. The Pudding Stop

After a long day of sightseeing, treat yourself to a mouth-watering homemade pudding from The Pudding Stop. Established in 2011, The Pudding Stop is an indie business that started in St Albans and has expanded to other parts of Hertfordshire, including Redbourn and Harpenden.

The menu features a selection of irresistible hot puddings, such as baked cookie dough, sticky toffee pudding and warm brownies. On the counter, you’ll find butterscotch blondies, chocolate brownies, cheesecake, doughnuts and more.

The Pudding Stop is open 7 days a week, from 11:30am - 8pm on Monday - Thursday, 9:30am - 10pm on Friday and Saturday, and 10am - 6:30pm on Sundays.

Colourful row of houses in St Albans

9. The streets

One of the top things to do in St Albans is roam around the streets. While St Albans may be considered a city, it feels more like a village, with its picture perfect houses and quaint cottages. There are also lots of Victorian buildings and Georgian townhouses scattered throughout the town.

Be sure to check out Fishpool Street, one of St Albans’ oldest roads, that leads from the Cathedral to Verulamium. The colourful houses of New England Street are an absolute must too.

Look out for the Instagrammable doors around St Albans!

Pretty doors in St Albans

So those are some fun things to do in St Albans! If you decide to spend a long weekend in St Albans, the stunning Old Gorhambury House is a short drive away. There’s also the magical Warner Bros. Studio Tour and enchanting Heartwood Forest.

Have you ever been to St Albans? What were the highlights of your trip?

Serena