Phyllida’s Guidebook to Albans
Sightseeing
You will find The Abbey, as it is known locally, extremely interesting from a historic and architectural perspective. There is a nice cafe and gift shop. The surrounding area is very nice too.
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The Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban
You will find The Abbey, as it is known locally, extremely interesting from a historic and architectural perspective. There is a nice cafe and gift shop. The surrounding area is very nice too.
This is England's oldest residential pub. You can drink and eat inside or in the garden.
When I was a student the bar was as small as a large dining room table and we used to take our drinks outside - and then float our glasses down the river! Those were the days.
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Ye Olde Fighting Cocks
16 Abbey Mill LnThis is England's oldest residential pub. You can drink and eat inside or in the garden.
When I was a student the bar was as small as a large dining room table and we used to take our drinks outside - and then float our glasses down the river! Those were the days.
Market Place
Market PlaceMarkets are held on Wednesday & Saturday
This is a great private cinema, a few minutes walk from the house, in a local Art Deco building.
If you choose to sit downstairs you have big swivel armchairs. The bar is open the whole time for food and drinks. Blankets and cushions are available.
A film guide should be in your room. It is a great experience if you like films.
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The Odyssey Cinema
166 London RdThis is a great private cinema, a few minutes walk from the house, in a local Art Deco building.
If you choose to sit downstairs you have big swivel armchairs. The bar is open the whole time for food and drinks. Blankets and cushions are available.
A film guide should be in your room. It is a great experience if you like films.
This is a great park for a walk - it still has some of the original Roman Wall. There is the lake where most people walk around - but you can walk up into the fields above the lake. Ice creams are often on sale, and the Inn On The Park open for drinks and food. You can sit both inside or out.
You can walk through the park to St Michaels Village which has some traditional iconic pubs, a church, St Albans Museum and The Waffles House which is housed inside a converted mill (best to book).
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Verulamium Park
This is a great park for a walk - it still has some of the original Roman Wall. There is the lake where most people walk around - but you can walk up into the fields above the lake. Ice creams are often on sale, and the Inn On The Park open for drinks and food. You can sit both inside or out.
You can walk through the park to St Michaels Village which has some traditional iconic pubs, a church, St Albans Museum and The Waffles House which is housed inside a converted mill (best to book).
Clarence Park, a ten minute walk from the house, is a wonderful park to walk or sit in - or watch a local Football match. It has some amazing trees in one half of the park, and cricket ground with a circular walk around in the other half.
Verdis, the Italian restaurant, is in the corner of the park - where you can buy a coffee, glass of wine or beer, food to have in the park - or else eat in.
My memories of Clarence Park go back to when I was four and we had our schools annual sports day there.
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Clarence Park
1A Clarence RdClarence Park, a ten minute walk from the house, is a wonderful park to walk or sit in - or watch a local Football match. It has some amazing trees in one half of the park, and cricket ground with a circular walk around in the other half.
Verdis, the Italian restaurant, is in the corner of the park - where you can buy a coffee, glass of wine or beer, food to have in the park - or else eat in.
My memories of Clarence Park go back to when I was four and we had our schools annual sports day there.
Food scene
Baked Nation is a convenient five minute walk from my house and is perfect for breakfast, coffee, light lunch etc. Check closing time though.
You can buy bread made on the premises, sweet and savoury pastries and cakes to take away, plus sandwiches.
Baked Nation
102 Victoria StBaked Nation is a convenient five minute walk from my house and is perfect for breakfast, coffee, light lunch etc. Check closing time though.
You can buy bread made on the premises, sweet and savoury pastries and cakes to take away, plus sandwiches.
This is a Turkish restaurant just four - five minutes walk from the house. Classic Turkish food & drinks with cosy, rustic interiors & exposed brick, fit for large reservations & parties.
Ayos Restaurant
2 Beaconsfield RoadThis is a Turkish restaurant just four - five minutes walk from the house. Classic Turkish food & drinks with cosy, rustic interiors & exposed brick, fit for large reservations & parties.
Prime known for its steaks is very near the house. I have never been disappointed. You can eat both inside and out.
It might pay to check availability.
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Prime Steak & Grill - St. Albans
83-85 London RdPrime known for its steaks is very near the house. I have never been disappointed. You can eat both inside and out.
It might pay to check availability.
This is the nearest pub to the house and serves food, however, St Albans has more pubs per capita than anywhere else in England - so you are very spoilt for choice. The Great Northern is located by the cinema so great for pre or post film drinks. There is a very pleasant garden for warm summer evenings.
The Great Northern
172 London RoadThis is the nearest pub to the house and serves food, however, St Albans has more pubs per capita than anywhere else in England - so you are very spoilt for choice. The Great Northern is located by the cinema so great for pre or post film drinks. There is a very pleasant garden for warm summer evenings.
I cannot go without mentioning Verdi's Trattoria, a family run Italian restaurant. You can eat inside with views over the park (in the right seat) - but since the pandemic there is a hatch where you can buy your food and drinks and take it into the park. There are also typical Italian Ice creams, served outside, with a host of flavours.
Verdi's Trattoria
1a Clarence RdI cannot go without mentioning Verdi's Trattoria, a family run Italian restaurant. You can eat inside with views over the park (in the right seat) - but since the pandemic there is a hatch where you can buy your food and drinks and take it into the park. There are also typical Italian Ice creams, served outside, with a host of flavours.
Pariri dwar il-belt
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St Albans City Station (Just down the road)
Trains from St Albans City Station go to London and beyond including Brighton, London Airport Luton (only two stops away), London Airport Gatwick. London Heathrow can be easily reached using trains from this airport.
You can use the Trainline App to review train times and prebook your ticket if you so choose.
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St Albans Abbey Flyer (Train Line)
This is a small train line that shuttles between St Albans & Watford - and stops at various point between. It is a 20 minute walk / 5 minute drive from the house. There is parking at the station.
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Buses
There are a lot of buses that serve St Albans which go to a host of different areas. Buses are available from St Albans Station and from the centre of St Albans City.
If you want a bus to stop for you so you can get on the bus you need to stick your arm out (except at key stops) and when on the bus press the button to ring the bell to let the driver know you want to get off at the next stop.
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Car
St Albans is near to key motor ways and dual carriageways which make it extremely easy to reach places.
In the City centre there are numerous car parks, and parking is permitted on some roads at certain times. Be sure to look at the signs and don't assume it is the same on both sides of the road!
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Taxis & Ubers
Taxis and Ubers are very available in St Albans.
I have used and can recommend the following companies (but there are plenty of others)
I have also used the local Ubers and they are fine - but not always cheaper!
Gold Line - Telephone +44 1727 833333
Arena Taxis - Telephone +44 7342 046796