The fairly little UK metropolis so outdated it existed earlier than Julius Caesar invaded Britain | UK | News | EUROtoday

Today St Albans is a affluent space throughout the London commuter belt, residence to many residents who make the quick journey into the capital. But this charming metropolis has come a great distance since its origins because the Roman settlement of Verulamium, a key space in Roman Britain.

“Overall it’s a fantastic place to live,” Reddit person AdvancedLab9909. “It has its own community vs typical commuter town. Great restaurants and pubs. Only negative id say if the traffic, it’s brutal sometimes.”

Located simply 20 miles from London, St Albans is well accessible. A direct practice from St Pancras to St Albans City takes as little as 27 minutes, whereas a drive through the M1 takes round 1 hour and 12 minutes.

The metropolis’s historical past dates again to its founding as Verlamion, a settlement through the British Iron Age, which interprets to “the settlement above the marsh.”

Julius Caesar’s two invasions of Britain occurred in 55 and 54 BC. Following the Roman conquest of Britain in AD 43, it advanced into Verulamium, one of many largest cities in Roman Britain. The city was later destroyed throughout Boudicca’s revolt in AD 60-61, solely to be rebuilt and thrive as soon as extra.

Kathirn, from Bath, wrote of her fondness in the direction of the city on the web platform: “I was living close to St Albans a long time ago. Most wonderful place to be. Shops, cathedral, cafes, houses, buses… and residents give something really special to this town. Protect this place”.

For those that take pleasure in native buying, St Albans provides quite a lot of impartial boutiques, retailers, and eating places, together with one in every of England’s oldest pubs, Ye Olde Fighting Cocks. Many benefit from the environment there.

“Been here many times before, had a great time here today, enjoyed a nice drink by the river,” resident Alex Thompson wrote on TripAdvisor.

Another wrote: “Everyone said how much they enjoyed the food and the service was also spot on, even though the pub was very busy”.

Wherever you go in St Albans, the town is overflowing with reminders of its wealthy heritage. You can marvel on the magnificent cathedral, wander by way of the historic Charter Market, which has been going for over 500 years, or go to the St Albans Museum & Gallery. Other notable points of interest embody the medieval clock tower and the de Havilland Aircraft Heritage Centre, which is residence to the Mosquito Museum.

If historical past is not your factor, there’s lots to take pleasure in within the extra relaxed corners of the city. St Albans boasts ample inexperienced area, together with the expansive Verulamium Park and Hatfield House and Park, good for leisurely strolls or household outings.

There’s additionally rather more to discover in St Albans for these searching for enjoyable and journey. Visit the de Havilland Aircraft Museum to study in regards to the legacy of the de Havilland plane, together with the world’s first jet airliner, The Comet.

The Redbournbury Watermill and Bakery, an 18th-century working watermill museum and bakery, is surprisingly a high attraction within the metropolis for its breadmaking course.

Matt W shared on TripAdvisor: “An outstanding course. Stephen was clear and insightful, and the course was superbly organised, jam-packed with practical aspects but never felt rushed. A lovely setting and made to feel really welcome by the family. Couldn’t recommend enough.”

For a style of native life, the St Albans Farmers Market provides an genuine expertise. Families will love Willows Farm Village, with its animals and actions, whereas the St Albans Treasure Trail supplies a fantastic out of doors exercise for all ages. Tripadvisor person nnmercman wrote of her household’s expertise on the market, “Visited the town on a Saturday as a family group and the market stretched all along the main shopping thoroughfare (not sure if it’s on days other than Saturday). Have to say there was an impressive array of stalls selling a wide range of goods, so there’ll be something for everyone. We purchased from one of the fruit and vegetable stalls as they were packing up and got a good bargain as prices were being reduced to clear stock. One of the best street markets I’ve come across in a long time.”