I visited St Albans in Hertfordshire, which is home to England’s reputedly oldest pub, and here are all the things you can get up to on a visit there.
St Albans is a cathedral city located in Hertfordshire, just a 30-minute train ride from London Bridge and a 40-minute train ride from East Croydon.
Steeped in history and with plenty of beautiful streets to explore and independent shops to visit, St Albans makes for the perfect day out.
It’s also home to the Ye Old Fighting Cocks pub, which lays claim to being England’s oldest pub dating back to 793 AD.
Recently I visited St Albans for a day trip and have rounded up all the things to see and do on a day trip to this historical city.
Here’s a guide to everything you can get up to on a day trip to St Albans:
Do some book shopping at Books on the Hill
If you’re a book lover you simply must visit the Books on the Hill bookshop, located on Holywell Hill and within a five-minute walk of the cathedral.
This quaint bookshop sells a mix of both new and vintage books in an array of genres and have many cosy nooks to sit and read in.
If you like photography, be prepared to be constantly snapping all the cute little touches this book shop has to offer, from the old fireplace with a reading chair to the antique writing desk and the many old books.
Upstairs are the Reading Rooms – a reading area which offers more books to browse, as well as a tearoom selling hot drinks, cakes and snacks.
This is such a great place to stop off for a rest and a cup of tea, or simply to just browse more of the books the shop has to offer.
It’s simply a book lovers’ idea of heaven.
Marvel at St Albans Cathedral
St Albans is home to some incredible architecture and one of its most famous examples is none other than St Albans Cathedral.
The cathedral dates back to 1077 when it was built after the Norman invasion in 1066 and plays host to the shrine of Britain’s first saint.
The cathedral also has links with Henry VIII, who sold the then Abbey to the town in 1553, and it later became a cathedral in 1877.
The cathedral is a large structure featuring beautiful architecture and stained glass, so be sure to give yourself a good hour to walk around and explore.
Free daily guided tours are also available on Monday – Saturday at 11.30am, 1.05pm and 2.30pm, and on Sundays at 1.05pm and 2.30pm, lasting for one hour.
Eat at The Waffle House
Set within a former 16th century watermill overlooking the River Ver, The Waffle House is a great location to stop off for some sustenance with family and friends.
It serves both savoury and sweet waffles, making it the perfect place to eat whatever time of day it is.
I would highly recommend the “Death By Chocolate” waffle which is served with chocolate mouse and white chocolate flakes for something very indulgent.
They also serve milkshakes for the children and an array of delicious cocktails for the adults.
It also welcomes four-legged friends too, and being within a stone's throw of nearby Verulamium Park it’s the perfect place to walk off those waffles afterwards.
Have a drink at Ye Olde Fighting Cocks pub
The pub is reputed to be England’s oldest pub, according to the Guinness Book of Records when it was listed in it in 2016.
The structure of the pub dates back as far as 793AD and was formerly used as a pigeon coup by monks.
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It is also believed to have played host to Oliver Cromwell during the English Civil War, who is believed to have used the tunnels underneath.
The pub later earned its current name “Ye Olde Fighting Cocks” when it played host to cockfighting matches in the 19th and 20th century.
Now it’s a cosy, welcoming and dog-friendly pub that has retained so much of its old charm and original structure, with wooden beams and an old fireplace in the corner.
Perfect to finish off with a drink before heading home.
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