Looking for the best attractions in St Albans? With more than 2,000 years of history and only 20 minutes from central London by train, this Hertfordshire city makes for the perfect day out. From Roman ruins and medieval landmarks to museums, green spaces and family-friendly attractions.
St Albans was once the Roman city of Verulamium, and traces of its past can still be seen throughout the city today. You can explore Roman walls and a theatre, discover ancient mosaics, visit the impressive St Albans Cathedral, and climb one of England's oldest medieval town belfries.
Many of the city's major historic attractions are within walking distance of one another, making St Albans particularly easy to explore on foot. Whether you're planning a day trip, a family day out or a weekend in Hertfordshire, here are some of the best attractions in St Albans to add to your itinerary.
1. St Albans Cathedral
Best for: History, architecture and rainy-day sightseeing
Admission: Free, with donations encouraged
Guided tours: Available daily at scheduled times
Location: Sumpter Yard, St Albans, AL1 1BY
Plan your visit: www.stalbanscathedral.org
One of the most recognisable attractions in St Albans, the Cathedral dominates the skyline from its position just north of the city centre. The Cathedral's history stretches back centuries and is closely connected with St Alban, Britain's first saint.
The present Norman church was built using bricks and tiles salvaged from the ruins of Roman Verulamium, linking two of the city's most important periods of history. Inside, you can see medieval wall paintings, the 11th-century crossing tower, and two restored medieval shrines. The Cathedral runs daily guided tours, which last around an hour and have no charge, although donations are strongly encouraged.
2. Verulamium Museum
Best for: Roman history and families
Hours: Open daily 10am-4pm
Location: St Michael's Street, St Albans, AL3 4SW
Plan your visit: www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/visit/verulamium-museum
If you're interested in Roman history, Verulamium Museum should be high on your list of attractions in St Albans. The museum stands on the site of one of the largest Roman cities in Britain and explores what everyday life was like in Roman Britain.
Its collection includes fascinating ancient objects and impressive Roman mosaics, alongside recreated Roman rooms and interactive elements. It's also a good choice for families, as younger visitors can use hands-on discovery areas, play dress up, and free activity sheets are available at weekends and during school holidays.
3. Verulamium Park
Best for: Walking, cycling, picnics, history, and outdoor play
Admission: Free
Highlights: Roman walls, London Gate remains, Roman Hypocaust, and open parkland
You don't need to spend money to experience some of St Albans' most important historic attractions. Verulamium Park covers 175 acres and sits on the site of the Roman city of Verulamium. As you explore the park, you can see remains of the Roman city, including sections of the city walls and the outline of the London Gate. The Roman Hypocaust is also located close to Verulamium Museum.
The park is also a Green Flag and Green Heritage Site, making it a useful place to combine sightseeing with some time outdoors.
4. Roman Theatre of Verulamium
Best for: Roman history and archaeology
Location: Bluehouse Hill, St Albans, AL3 6AE
Nearby: Verulamium Museum, Roman Hypocaust, Roman walls and Verulamium Park
For one of the most immersive historic attractions in St Albans, head to the Roman Theatre of Verulamium. The theatre formed part of the Roman city of Verulamium and is one of the most distinctive Roman attractions in St Albans. Unlike a conventional Roman amphitheatre, the site has a stage, making it unusual among surviving Roman theatres in Britain.
The theatre is located on Bluehouse Hill, close to other remains of Roman Verulamium, so it's worth combining a visit with Verulamium Museum and Verulamium Park.
5. Roman Wall of St Albans
Best for: Roman history and walking
Highlights: Remains of the Roman city wall and London Gate
The Roman Wall is another attraction that demonstrates just how much of ancient Verulamium remains visible today. The city's Roman wall can still be traced for much of its original two-mile circuit.
Sections of the wall survive alongside the foundations of towers and the impressive London Gate, where Watling Street once entered the Roman city. You can incorporate sections of the wall into a wider walk around Verulamium Park, making it an easy addition to a day exploring St Albans' Roman heritage.
6. St Albans Museum + Gallery
Best for: Art, culture and local history
Admission: Free
Hours: Open daily 10am-4pm
Location: Town Hall, St Peter's Street, St Albans AL1 3DH
Plan your visit: www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/visit/st-albans-museum-gallery
For something different from the city’s Roman attractions, head to St Albans Museum + Gallery, housed in the former Town Hall on St Peter’s Street. The museum explores the history and culture of St Albans, with a changing programme of exhibitions and events throughout the year.
One of the most interesting parts of the museum is its former courtroom and jail cells. Built on the site of the old courthouse and jail, the museum allows visitors to explore these historic spaces, while the former courtroom has now been transformed into a café. With a varied calendar of exhibitions and events, there’s always something new to discover.
7. The Clock Tower
Best for: History and views
Admission: Paid
Hours: Weekends and Bank Holidays, 10.30am-5pm
Location: High Street, St Albans, AL3 4EL
Plan your visit: www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/visit/clock-tower
Look up as you explore St Albans city centre and you'll spot the distinctive Clock Tower on the High Street. Completed in 1405, St Albans Clock Tower is the only surviving medieval town belfry in England. It was built by the people of St Albans as a symbol of civic independence from the power of the abbot.
Today, visitors can climb the tower and see its 600-year-old bell, as well as views across St Albans and the surrounding Hertfordshire countryside. The tower is open from Easter weekend until the end of September, at weekends and on Bank Holidays, from 10.30am to 5pm.
8. St Albans Market
Best for: Shopping, food, and city-centre atmosphere
Regular market days: Wednesday and Saturday
Additional market: Second Sunday of the month
Location: St Albans city centre
For a more lively city-centre experience, time your visit to coincide with St Albans Market. The Charter Market takes place every Wednesday and Saturday in the city centre, with a predominantly food and craft market also held on the second Sunday of each month.
You’ll find a general market and international street food on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with additional themed markets and events taking place throughout the year. It's an easy addition to a day of sightseeing, particularly as the market is close to several other central St Albans attractions.
9. Ye Olde Fighting Cocks
Best for: History, architecture and a traditional pub stop
Location: 16 Abbey Mill Lane, St Albans AL3 4HE
Nearby: St Albans Cathedral and Verulamium Park
Plan your visit: www.fightingcockssa.com
This is one of the most distinctive historic pubs in St Albans, tucked away on Abbey Mill Lane beside the River Ver and close to Verulamium Park and St Albans Cathedral. The pub is famous for its claim to be England's oldest pub, with its origins traditionally said to date back to AD 793.
The Grade II listed building is an atmospheric place to stop while exploring the city's historic attractions. Its unusual octagonal shape, low ceilings and historic interior make it a particularly memorable part of a walk between the Cathedral and Verulamium Park.
10. Willows Activity Farm
Best for: Families with younger children
Admission: Paid
Location: Coursers Road, St Albans AL4 0PF
Plan your visit: www.willowsactivityfarm.com
If you’re looking for family attractions in St Albans, Willows Activity Farm is a great option for younger visitors. Located just outside the city, it’s around 20 minutes away by local bus and combines indoor and outdoor activities with plenty of opportunities to meet animals and play.
Highlights include the Peter Rabbit Adventure Playground, farmyard activities, fairground rides and indoor play areas. With so much to do whatever the weather, Willows Activity Farm is a good choice if you’re planning a full day out in St Albans with kids, rather than a short sightseeing stop.
How to get to these attractions in St Albans by train
St Albans is one of the best destinations for a day trip by train. St Albans City station provides direct services to central London including London St Pancras International, Farringdon, City Thameslink, London Blackfriars, and London Bridge.
Once you're in St Albans, many of the main attractions are within walking distance. You can get great value if you’re travelling as a group with GroupSave, and child train tickets provide significant discounts for children aged 5 to 15, making travel more affordable for families.
Plan your day out in St Albans
Whether you're interested in Roman history, medieval architecture, museums, shopping or family-friendly activities, St Albans has plenty of attractions to fill a day.
For first-time visitors, the combination of St Albans Cathedral, the Clock Tower, Verulamium Park and Verulamium Museum makes a particularly good introduction to the city. If you're visiting with children, add Willows Activity Farm or make time for the hands-on elements at Verulamium Museum.
And because so many of the city's historic attractions are within walking distance, you can see a surprising amount of St Albans without needing to travel between each stop.
