"One of the finest Cities in England " a St Albans Travel Page by Wowmoment

The Norman Cathedral of St Albans dominates the city and can be seen for miles around.

It a remarkable example of the Norman (Romanesque) style one of the earlier of the four great Medieval styles of architecture. It is unusually 'in period' in that much of the building displays the Norman style of round arches and squat heavy look. Many such buildings were built over a long period of time and show changes in style, this is true here, but to a lesser degree than many.

Its origins were as an Abbey Church with its own monastery, many of those monastic buildings are now gone but the wonder that is the Abbey remains.

In the 17th century St Albans was a popular place to stop being about 25 miles from central London. This was a place to take refreshment and change the horses for the next leg of the journey. This is why the area is populated with many Inns dating back to those times.

Holywell Hill in particular shows evidence of these Inns. The White Hart remains as an example of the type of place The Gentry would frequent. A Block away behind rows of former stables is the White Hart Tap where servants and coachmen would refresh. This pairing of Inns exists all over this area.

If you look at the front of buildings on the hill you will see the arches where the coaches would pass through to the stables.

Walk south from the Abbey and you will pass where the Monks Cloisters used to be, further on you will reach Verulamium Park which is the site of the old Roman town which had several incarnations.

If you wonder why little remains to be seen of this Roman town (with a few noble exceptions) look behind you. You will note that the Abbey was built using flint; brick and stone from the Roman buildings. No respect for history these Medieval builders huh!

You can however walk round the park and see Roman walls, the site of the main gate on the great Roman Road, Watling Street; and in a brick structure in the middle a hypocaust - Roman central heating to you and me. If time permits walk through the park to the Museum and see some treasures from excavations and mosaics that are exceptionally fine.

Further still the remains of a theatre (not an amphitheatre) are quite well preserved.