Guided Tours
St Albans City Walks start outside the Old Town Hall in Market Place and take from an hour to an hour and a half. Our group booking service operates throughout the year. You can choose any of our walks or a combination, or separate talks/slide presentations. A group can be any size and we allocate guides on the basis of one per twenty visitors. Our fees vary with the number of guides and there are discounts for students and school parties. We can also supply guides for coach tours.
For further information & party bookings, contact: Tourist Information Centre, The Old Town Hall, Market Place, St.Albans, Herts AL3 5DS Tel: 01727 864511 e-mail: tic@stalbans.gov.uk
Historic Walk
Covering 1200 years in about 90 minutes, this excellent walk gives an overview of the most important people, buildings and events in St.Albans from the Monastic to the modern.
Pubs & Chapels
St.Albans was a centre for the brewing of ale and beer, having a truly remarkable number of inns and alehouses catering for the medieval visitor and trader. Following the Reformation the town became a centre for religious dissent. This walk combines the sacred and the profane in a tour of both existing and former sites.
The War of the Roses
Two battles were fought in St.Albans in this dynastic struggle between the houses of Lancaster and York – the first in 1455 and the second in 1461. This walk covers both battles and explains the reasons and the personalities involved, together with the outcome of both of them. Join Henry V1 and a cast of thousands on the actual site of the first battle – no armour needed today, though!
They are also being offered as separate 1st and 2nd battle walks at 11am and 3pm on May 22nd (the actual date of the first conflict), and again on 28th August.
The Ancient Market Place
This delightful walk is suitable for absolutely everyone as it is in a small level area that is packed with history and interest. What more can we say? It's a little gem.
From Fishpool Street to St. Michael’s
A one thousand year old route that follows George Street, Romeland and Fishpool Street to picturesque St. Michael’s Village, with its elegant houses, Saxon Church and the superb Verulamium Roman Museum. It is quite a challenge to guess the ages of the houses in fascinating Fishpool Street – join the guide and see for yourselves!
Monks, Mysteries & Mischief
Monks were an incredibly diversified and talented band of brothers – there was a powerful, self sufficient community on whom many others depended but occasionally human failings and weakness would creep in. To find out more, join us on a visit to their world.
Coaching Inns
As a convenient stopping place to and from London, St.Albans became a major centre during the coaching era with about 330 beds for humans and over 700 for horses! We take in the sites of many of the inns, concentrating on Holywell Hill, Chequer Street and French Row.There are stories sad, saucy or sporting to be told. End the walk in an inn (optional).
The Street War Memorials
The ten street war memorials within the Abbey Parish are unique in the U.K. and are the focus of a profoundly moving walk. Hear the stories behind a few of the 110 names of those who died, from the poor to the priveledged, but all from one small area. This walk is always on the nearest Sunday to November 11th and is always free of charge. One every local person should do.
Ghostly Goings-On
An extremely popular and atmospheric walk that introduces some of the ghosts of St.Albans and relates their sad stories. We can’t guarantee whom you might see – only where you might find them, for they do exist! This walk is not suitable for very young children.
Victorian St.Albans
A walk that takes us from the medieval to the age of steam, the railway, factories and even the pioneering days of cinema (hear about the first ever film advertisement!). This was the age of massive expansion for the town, including a new prison, whose front entrance will be recognisable to all fans of “Porridge”.
Guided Walks in Roman Verulamium
The Roman Theatre
This is one of the finest examples of a Roman theatre in Britain. Also within the site are the remains of a 3rd century townhouse with an underground shrine as well as a parade of shops facing on to Watling Street.
City of St Albans Tour Guides
The City of St Albans Tour Guides were founded in 1964. A training programme is undertaken by guides, covering both historical knowledge and practical guiding techniques. Many St Albans guides have trained to the National Blue Badge standard.
In exceptional circumstances our programme may be subject to change. Please check with the Tourist Information Centre: 01727 864511
