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Open Days Heritage

Open Days Heritage

Heritage Open Days 6 - 9 September 2012

www.enjoystalbans.com The official visitor website for

The official visitor website for St Albans A Welcome from The Right Worshipful Welcome to Heritage the Mayor of the City and District of St Albans, Councillor Eileen Harris Open Days Now is the time to take advantage of all the special Thursday 6th - Sunday 9th September 2012 events arranged during this year’s English Heritage Open Days. There are a great variety of attractions Heritage Open Days celebrates ’s architecture and culture by allowing free access to for everyone to enjoy from walks, which take you interesting properties that are not normally open to the public, or would charge an entrance fee. on an historic journey around St Albans, to seeing Heritage Open Days also include tours, events, lectures and activities that focus on architecture places usually closed to the public such as the and culture. This year Heritage Open Days will run from 6th - 9th September. Below is the list of wonderful medieval Gateway or if you love trains you can visit the St Albans South Signal Box what’s happening and when in this year’s event. For the majority there is no need to pre book* in Ridgmont Road. If you have a head for heights and they are all FREE* (*unless otherwise indicated!) and strong legs you could climb to the top of the Tower, St Peter’s tower or even the 193 steps to the roof of the Further details of events taking place across the country can be found on the Heritage Open Days Norman tower of the Abbey. website - www.heritageopendays.org.uk As usual there will be the Giant Monopoly Game in the city centre and See the timetable on pages 10 and 11 to help you plan your itinerary. Park where the whole family can have a great time discovering parts of St Albans that most of us never knew existed. You may even come An electronic version of this leaflet and timetable of events can be found on the Council Website across me and the Macebearer dressed in our robes in the Old Court house www.enjoystalbans.com during the weekend. There really is something for everyone and there is no charge for any of the attractions and events during this special long weekend though you will have to obtain tickets for some events from the Tourist and Information Centre in the Old Town Hall. For events further afield you should check the Heritage Open Days Website (www.heritageopendays.org.uk) for more details Please read the booklet carefully so you can visit as many places as possible and enjoy St Albans to the full. Very best wishes Councillor Eileen Harris The Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City and District of St Albans.

This leaflet is available in alternative formats, eg in Braille, large print, on audio tape or email by contacting the Council on Tel: 01727 819275 or by Text phone on 01727 819570. 2 www.enjoystalbans.com www.enjoystalbans.com 3 the City. Meet at the easy access bridge onto the Sunday: 1000 Green Space, opposite the ruins. Directions: Meet at the steps of Verulamium Walks Do I need to Pre - Book? Yes Museum. Other notes: Book online or over the phone, Do I need to Pre - Book? No PLEASE NOTE: There is no need to pre-book on any of these walks maximum number 25. Other notes: Parking at Verulamium Museum unless otherwise stated. Also unless otherwise stated, the walks below are Disability Access: No. Disability Access: Partial - We shall walk across presented by the City of St Albans Tour Guides. They can be contacted rough grass and up hill. 5 Historic St Albans via the Tourist & Information Centre at the Town Hall on 01727 864511. Covering 1200 years in about 90 minutes, this 8 Verulamium in a Web: www.stalbanstourguides.co.uk for further details. excellent walk gives an overview of the most Nutshell Walk 1 A Taste of St Albans 3 Crime and Punishment important people, buildings and events in St This walk explores - site of Looking at just a small area of the city centre, Local crimes ranged from murder in the Albans from Monastic to the Modern. Britain’s 3rd largest Roman town and the only this guided walk lasts an hour and gives a taste Cathedral to theft worth two pence, and the Sunday: 1100 complete Roman Theatre. We also explore the of the rich and varied . punishments were often disproportionately harsh. Directions: Meet outside the front of the Old Town remains of the Roman Walls, foundations of the Hall. Timed tickets required. London Gate and a superb mosaic. Thursday: 1100 This walk will take place in the 1831 Courtroom and cells beneath. Also two buildings that were Disability Access: This walk stays in the centre of Sunday: 1500 Directions: Meet outside the front of the Old St Albans and is fairly level throughout Town Hall prisons in former times and points out such Directions: Meet outside the entrance to Do I need to Pre - Book? Yes niceties as the pillory and the stocks. 6 Roman Theatre Tours Verulamium Museum. Parking in Verulamium Other notes: Ticket only, max 20 people, tickets Saturday: 1500 A guided tour of one of the finest and most Museum car park from TIC. Directions: Meet outside the front of the Old complete examples of a Roman theatre in Britain. Do I need to Pre - Book? Yes Disability Access: Accessible but involves Town Hall The tour also includes the remains of a 3rd Other notes: Ticket only, tickets from TIC. walking up slopes. Do I need to Pre - Book? Yes century townhouse with an underground shrine Disability Access: Partial - Verulamium Park and Other notes: Timed tickets required - maximum and a parade of shops. the Hypocaust are accessible but Roman Theatre is limited. 2 Abbey Flyer Walk 20 people per tour. Tickets available from the Saturday: 1430, 1630 Countryside Management Service Tourist Information Centre. Sunday: 1430, 1630 Tel: 01462 459359 9 Victorian St Albans Web: www.hertsdirect.org/walksandmore Disability Access: Partial - walk is largely Directions: Meet guide inside the Roman A walk that takes us from the medieval to the accessible but involves visit to the Cells in Town Theatre. Join the Countryside Management Service to age of steam, the railway, factories and even Hall which have no disabled access. Do I need to Pre - Book? No explore the countryside around Bricket Wood pioneering days of cinema (hear about the first Other notes: There will be several tours during and find out more about its living Heritage. ever film advertisement!) This was the age of 4 the 2 hour period. Groups up to 12 at a time, Follow the route of the Abbey Flyer walk and Evening Bat Walk massive expansion for the town, including a new Countryside Management Service as narrow paths in the theatre - first come, first hear about the management involved in shaping prison whose entrance will be recognisable to all Tel: 01462 459359 served. the landscape around this Pretty village. fans of ‘Porridge’. Web: www.hertsdirect.org/walksandmore Disability Access: Partial - Theatre can be Thursday: 1400 - 1630 Friday: 1100, 1400 Hear all about our batty neighbours. There is viewed but it is not possible to move around with Directions: Meet outside the front of the Old Directions: Meet at Bricket Wood Station, on plenty of water around here, some old trees wheelchair. the Abbey Flyer railway line. For train times Town Hall. and ruins of the 12th century priory, so with this Do I need to Pre - Book? Yes contact Traveline on 0871 200 2233 or go to combination we should find bats out feeding 7 The Heritage Tree Walk Walk-talk Other notes: Ticket only, max 20 people, tickets website www.abbeyline.org.uk around the open space. Do I need to Pre - Book? No Tel: 0790194520 from TIC. Web: www.walk-talk.co.uk Disability Access: None Friday: 1915 - 2130 Disability Access: Partial - narrow pavements Directions: Sopwell Nunnery Green Space is A walk around trees with historic connections in and steep steps from London Road to the old situated off the Cottonmill Lane to the south of Verulamium Park and the City centre. station.

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The official visitor website for St Albans General Tours - 1130 and 1400 The ’s Kitchen is open: Attractions Highlights Tour - 1305 Monday – Saturday: 1000 - 1630 Textiles Exhibition 1000 - 1500 Sunday: 1300 1630 See the exquisite work of the Cathedral’s Regular Services 10 Abbey Gateway 11 Cathedral and Abbey Church Textile Guild, including demonstrations. Exhibits Saturday 1600 – Choral Evensong. St Albans School, St Albans of St Alban throughout the Cathedral. Sunday 0930 - . Tel: 01727 855521 Sumpter Yard, St Albans Sunday: 0830 - 1745 Web: www.st-albans.herts.sch.uk Tel: 01727 860780 Tower Tours - 1330, 1445, 1600. The most complete medieval gateway in Web: www.stalbanscathedral.org See Saturday for details. England and is part of St Albans School. Its large is the oldest site of Built for Glory Tour - 1500 suite of rooms have had many uses - continuous Christian worship in Britain. The 1000 years of architectural heritage on show. dwelling, Sanitoria, Prisons. Its current use is building itself is a blend of architectural styles Learn about the building’s amazing mixture as classrooms and the schools museum. Tours spanning a millennia and contains recycled of architectural styles, from recycled Roman from 1000 to 1530 every half hour. Roman bricks from Verulamium. Of special bricks and the Saxon period through to the great interest are the 13th century wall paintings, a Sunday: 1000 - 1530 and a 20th century Chapter rare watching loft and the shrines of Directions: follow the signs to the “Cathedral”. house. The Gateway is adjacent to the West front at the and . Highlights tour - 1305 junction of Romeland and Abbey Mill Lane. Thursday: 0830 - 1745 General Tour - 1430 Do I need to Pre - Book? No General Tours - 1130 and 1430 Other notes: Each tour limited to 20 visitors. Highlights Tour - 1305 Textiles Exhibition 1300 – 1600 See the exquisite work of the Cathedral’s Textile Some very steep steps. Parking available in St Friday: 0830 - 1745 Guild. Exhibits throughout the Cathedral. Albans School car park alongside the gateway. General Tours - 1130 and 1430 Public lavatories nearby. Highlights Tour - 1305 Do I need to Pre - Book? Some tours by ticket only on a first come, first served basis. Disability Access: The ground floor room only - Saturday: 0830 - 1745 This is the museum. Disability Access: Disabled parking provided, Tower Tours - 1000, 1130, 1300, 1430. Induction loop, Touch & Hearing Centre, Braille 12 Clock Tower This spectacular tour takes you up 193 steps to guide plan. Market Place, St Albans the roof of the Norman Tower. Tickets available Web: www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk on the day of the tour, on a first come, first Built between 1403 and 1412, the Clock Tower served basis. Maximum 12 people per tour. is the only medieval town belfry in England, Minimum age 11. Restrictions Apply. and has its original bell. The tower is 19.6 Children’s Animal Safari Tour - 11.00 metres high and has 94 steps to the top via a Come and explore the Cathedral on this fun, narrow spiral staircase giving fine views of the family trail! There are hundreds of animals for Cathedral, Roman Verulamium and the City. The you to discover, hiding in the most unusual Tower and its fine bell have survived 600 years places! Our Guides will help you spot them. of use. Suitable for ages 3-11. Children must be Saturday: 1000 - 1730 accompanied by an adult. Sunday: 1000 - 1730 Cathedral Precincts Tour - 1430 Directions: On the corner of High Street, French Explore the exterior and surroundings of St Row and Market Street. Albans Cathedral and see fascinating signs of its Do I need to Pre - Book? No monastic past. Disability Access: None - Narrow, steep,steps

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The official visitor website for St Albans 13 Dagnall Street Baptist Church 14 Giant Monopoly 16 Mayoral Talk Upper Dagnall Street, St Albans Tel: 01727 827667 Court Room, in the Old Town Hall, St Albans Tel: 01727 864116 Web: www.activestalbans.co.uk The Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City and Web: www.dsbc.org.uk St Albans Giant Monopoly has now been running District of St Albans, Councillor Eileen Harris Built in 1885, the present church stands on the for 5 years. It involves choosing between 2 will be holding two talks on the history of the site first used by St Albans Baptists in 1720. different routes and visiting many historical Mayoralty. These will be held at 1015 and 1115 There are a number of features unusual for a landmarks along the way. You can visit up to 20 in the Court Room at the Old Town Hall. The Victorian-era Free Church. different checkpoints which will all have different Mayor will be escorted by her Macebearer and Saturday: 1000 - 1700 activities to take part in. it is a great day out for they will both be robed. all the family and you can discover parts of Sunday: 1400 - 1700 Saturday: 1015 and 1115 St Albans you never knew existed. Directions: Central St Albans, Upper Dagnall Directions: Court Room, in the Old Town Hall, Oaklands College 18th Century Mansion House Street, alongside WH Smith. Sunday: 1100 - 1700 St Albans 17 Do I need to Pre - Book? No Directions: Route will be in the City Centre and Do I need to Pre - Book? No Oaklands College Other notes: Open for viewing and information. Verulamium Park. Directions will be given to Disability Access: None Oaklands College, St Albans Campus, Hatfield Exhibition of the Church’s history. Refreshments participants on the day of the event Road, St Albans AL4 0JA Do I need to Pre - Book? No Tel: 01727 737266 available in the Cross Street Centre Cafe from Web: www.oaklands.ac.uk 1000 to 1400 on the Saturday. No parking at the Other notes: You can pre book at www. Open Day at the 18th Century Mansion House. Church, but public car park opposite. activestalbans.com or you can register on the Built in approximately 1782, the Mansion House Disability Access: Full access via Cross Street day by BHS on St Peters Street. Free Parking was acquired in 1920 by the Centre Cafe entrance. in most city centre car parks. Refreshments will be available to buy along the route at pubs/ County Council and opened as an Agricultural restaurants. Institute. It was in 1919 that Messrs Hampton & Disability Access: Partial - some of the heritage Sons offered Oaklands for sale at the Winchester buildings in the District have limited/no disabled House auction, ordered by the Trustees of the access. late Mr Graham Fish. Oaklands was described as “a handsome sale, including a gentleman’s 15 Kingsbury Barns country house, good water supply and gravelly Kingsbury Mews, Branch Road, soil”, ideal for its then future use as an St.Michaels Street, St Albans Court Room in the Old Town Hall Tel: 07710784960 agricultural college. During the First World War Web: www.kingsburybarn.co.uk the building and farms were used for military Kingsbury Barn was built by the Abbey in purposes, which - to many - ruined a once 1374 and was restored using traditional thriving, flourishing ground. materials and methods. Saturday: 1000 - 1600 Sunday: 1000 - 1600 Sunday: 1000 - 1600 Directions: Enter through Kingsbury Manor, Directions: Approximately one and a half miles gates behind the pudding stone next to from St Albans Station and the town centre. Kingsbury Mill on St Michael’s Street Do I need to Pre - Book? No Do I need to Pre - Book? No Other notes: Free Parking for both days. Teas Other notes: Disabled parking only from and Coffees will be available. Kingsbury Mews. Public parking at Verulamium Disability Access: Partial - Entrance has Museum car park wheelchair access, however no lift to the upper Dagnall Street Baptist Church Disability Access: Full access KIngsbury Barns levels of the building.

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The official visitor website for St Albans 27. St Albans South Signal Box 1000 - 1600 Timetable See individual listings for details - many 26. St Albans District Talking Newspaper 1000 - 1600 locations have activities during the day 28. St Leonard’s Church, 1000 - 1800 29. St Michael’s Church 1400 - 1700 30. St Peter’s Church 1100 - 1600 Thursday 6th September 31. The Independent Chapel 1200 - 1700 Attractions 32. The Independent Chapel Lecture 1600 - 1700 11. Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban 0830 - 1745 33. The Roman Theatre of Verulamium 1000 - 1700 18. Museum of St Albans 1000 - 1700 34. Verulamium Museum (free after 1400) 1000 - 1730 21. Roman Mosaic (Hypocaust Building) 1000 - 1630 (Legion XIIII - 1430 & 1530) 22. Ryder Building 1300 - 2200 35. Wheathampstead Old Railway Station Open Access 23. Sopwell Nunnery Open Access Walks 29. St Michael’s Church 1400 - 1530 3. Crime and Punishment 1500 34. Verulamium Museum (free after 1400) 1000 - 1730 6. Roman Theatre Tours 1430, 1630 35. Wheathampstead Old Railway Station Open Access Walks Sunday 9th September 1. A Taste of St Albans 1100 Attractions 2. Abbey Flyer Walk 1400 - 1630 10. Abbey Gateway 1000 - 1530 Friday 7th September 11. Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban 0830 - 1745 12. Clock Tower 1000 - 1730 Attractions 13. Dagnall Street Baptist Church 1400 - 1700 11. Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban 0830 - 1745 14. Giant Monopoly 1100 - 1700 18. Museum of St Albans 1000 - 1700 15. Kingsbury Barn 1000 - 1600 21. Roman Mosaic (Hypocaust Building) 1000 - 1630 18. Museum of St Albans 1000 - 1700 22. Ryder Building 1300 - 2200 17. Oaklands College 1000 - 1600 23. Sopwell Nunnery Open Access 20. 1200 - 1700 29. St Michael’s Church 1400 - 1530 21. Roman Mosaic (Hypocaust Building) 1400 - 1630 34. Verulamium Museum (free after 1400) 1000 - 1730 22. Ryder Building 1100 - 2000 35. Wheathampstead Old Railway Station Open Access 23. Sopwell Nunnery Open Access Walks 24. St Albans Architectural and Archaeological Society 1000 - 1600 4. Evening Bat Walk 1915 - 2130 25. St Albans Farmers Market 1000 - 1400 9. Victorian St Albans 1100 - 1400 27. St Albans South Signal Box 1000 - 1600 Saturday 8th September 28. St Leonard’s Church, Sandridge 1400 - 1730 29. St Michael’s Church 1400 - 1700 Attractions 30. St Peter’s Church 1400 - 1600 11. Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban 0830 - 1745 31. The Independent Chapel 1400 - 1700 13. Dagnall Street Baptist Church 1000 - 1700 32. The Independent Chapel Lecture 1600 - 1700 16. Mayoral Talk 1000 - 1200 33. The Roman Theatre of Verulamium 1000 - 1700 18. Museum of St Albans 1000 - 1700 34. Verulamium Museum & Legion XIIII 1030 - 1730 17. Oaklands College 1000 - 1600 (Legion XIIII - 1500) 19. Radio Verulam 35. Wheathampstead Old Railway Station Open Access 20. Redbournbury Mill 1000 - 1600 21. Roman Mosaic (Hypocaust Building) 1000 - 1630 Walks 22. Ryder Building 1100 - 2100 5. Historic St Albans 1100 23. Sopwell Nunnery Open Access 6. Roman Theatre Tours 1430, 1630 24. St Albans Architectural and Archaeological Society 1000 - 1600 7. The Heritage Tree Walk 1000 25. St Albans Market 1000 - 1630 8. Verulamium in a Nutshell Walk 1500

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The official visitor website for St Albans 18 Museum of St Albans limit visitors to a maximum of 6 at a time. Live It is a precursor is now best known for starting the Ryder Cup 9a Hatfield Road, St Albans programmes will be being broadcast at the time. of modern central golf match, now played between America and Tel: 01727 819340 Saturday: 1000 - 1600 heating - the Europe. Web: www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk Directions: Above the Courtyard Café on Romans had Thursday: 1300 - 2200 The story of historic St Albans from the Romans Hatfield Road no intentions of Friday: 1300 - 2200 to the present day is told through lively displays Do I need to Pre - Book? No enduring a climate Saturday: 1100 - 2100 using the museum’s collections. The museum Disability Access: None they found unpleasantly cold in winter! Sunday: 1100 - 2000 also has a wildlife garden. Free admission. Thursday: 1000 - 1630 Do I need to Pre - Book? No Thursday: 1000 - 1700 Friday: 1000 - 1630 Other notes: Car parking available, must obtain Friday: 1000 - 1700 Saturday: 1000 - 1630 Parking Permit from reception to be displayed in Saturday: 1000 - 1700 Sunday: 1400 - 1630 car (free to all guests) Sunday: 1000 - 1700 Directions: Next to St Michael’s Church in St Disability Access: Partial - listed stairwell Directions: From the town centre, take the Michael’s Village. (Follow brown signs) Follow to Samuel Ryder office, no lift access A1057(Hatfield Road). The Museum is next to signs from Verulamium Museum Car Park 23 Sopwell Nunnery Kashu (350m) 10 minute walk Off Cottonmill Lane, St Albans Do I need to Pre - Book? No Do I need to Pre - Book? No Tel: 01727 751810 Web: www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk Other notes: There is a small car park at the Redbournbury Mill Other notes: There is a small car park at museum. Other parking is available in the city the museum. Other parking is available at Visit the ruins of Sir ’s Tudor great centre within a 10 minute walk 20 Redbournbury Mill Westminster Lodge and in the city centre within a house, built c1555 on the site of a 12th Century Disability Access: Disabled access to ground Road, St Albans 15 minute walk. Refreshments available locally. nunnery bought from Henry VIII. floor galleries only. Disabled toilet available Tel: 01582 792874 Disability Access: Full. There is a motorised Thursday: Open Access Web: www.redbournmill.co.uk disability cart available from Verulamium Museum Friday: Open Access 18th Century working watermill producing stone Saturday: Open Access ground organic flour and artisan bread. Museum Sunday: Open Access and walks. Directions: Just south of the off Saturday: 0900 - 1300 Cottonmill Lane Sunday: 1200 - 1700 Do I need to Pre - Book? No Directions: Redbournbury Lane, Redbourbury Other notes: Car parking on the road, some Road, St Albans. restrictions apply Do I need to Pre - Book? No Disability Access: Partial - on open common Other notes: Parking, nearby walks, cold drinks, land, may be difficult for disabled visitors Museum of St Albans ice cream and cakes for sale Ryder Building 19 Radio Verulam 92.6 FM studios Disability Access: Ground floor and toilet only. 22 Ryder Building 11 Hatfield Road (above Courtyard Café), St Albans 21 Roman Mosaic (Hypocaust Building) Comfort Hotel, Ryder House, Tel: 01727 839926 Verulamium Park, St Michaels, St Albans Holywell Hill, St Albans Web: www.radioverulam.com Tel: 01727 751810 Tel: 01727 848849 Studios of Radio Verulam 92.6 FM, the Web: www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk Web: www.comforthotelstalbans.co.uk Community Radio station serving St Albans and In Verulamium Park lies the Roman Mosaic - part Now housing the Comfort Hotel, this was West Herts. We have two studios, a main “on of a suite of rooms in a large town house built originally built as the headquarter offices of the air” studio and a smaller production and training around AD200. Beneath a fine mosaic, there Ryder Seed Company. It is a 1911s building with studio. The premises are quite small so we will is an under floor heating system, a hypocaust. a modern bedroom block added. Samuel Ryder Sopwell Nunnery

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The official visitor website for St Albans 24 St Albans Architectural and 26 St Albans and District Talking and slide shows. Steam traction engine rides 29 St Michael’s Church Archaeological Society Newspaper and refreshments available in the landscaped St Michael’s Street, St Albans Tel: 01727 833524 Old Town Hall Court Room 11 Hatfield Road, (above Courtyard Café), gardens. Web: www.stmichaels-parishchurch.org.uk Tel: 01727 853415 St Albans Saturday: 1000 - 1600 Web: www.stalbanshistory.org Tel: 01727 866725 Sunday: 1000 - 1600 The church was built on the site of the Basilica Exhibition of Maps and other material from the St Albans & District Talking Newspaper record Directions: 200 yds South of City station - of Roman Verulamium, a likely venue for the trial Society’s Library-“Old St Albans” – buildings, and distribute audio recordings of local news platform 4 exit. Free parking in Ridgmont Road of Alban, the first British Christian martyr. There inns, photographs, drawings – its all here! Come to blind and partially sighted people in St Do I need to Pre - Book? No is a statue of Francis Bacon in the . He and find out a bit more about your City! Albans, and surrounding areas. The Other notes: Teas, coffee and light refreshments was the keeper of the Great Seal for James the First and was created Baron Verulam. Appointed Saturday: 1000 - 1600 recordings are produced in the studio and are available in the signalmans garden. sent out each week. Disability Access: Partial - no upstairs access Lord Chancellor of England and created Viscount Sunday: 1000 - 1600 St Albans. There will be an exhibition in the Directions: Courtroom, Town Hall, Market Place Saturday: 1000 - 1600 Directions: Our studio is above the Courtyard church entitled “Poor of the Parish”. Do I need to Pre - Book? No Café, next to the Museum of St Albans on Thursday: 1400 - 1530 Disability Access: None Hatfield Road, St Albans, AL1 3RR. Friday: 1400 - 1530 Do I need to Pre - Book? No Saturday: 1400 - 1700 Other notes: Refreshments available at the Sunday: 1400 - 1700 Courtyard Café Directions: Opposite Verulamium Museum Do I need to Pre - Book? No Other notes: Parking (ticket machine) in car park by Verulamium Museum. Refreshments St Leonard’s Church, Sandridge available Sunday 9th September in the Parish 28 St Leonard’s Church, Sandridge Centre from 1400-1700. Church End, Sandridge, St Albans Disability Access: Access into church via a Tel: 01727 831623 ramp at the main door and access to the north Web: www.achurchnearyou.com/sandridge side, and .

St Albans Farmers Market Village church of Norman origin, with many features of architectural or local historical interest. Guided tour at 1500 on Saturday. Childrens’ 25 St Albans Market & St Albans South Signal Box Farmers Market worksheet available. Strawplaiting demonstration St Peter’s Street, St Albans 27 St Albans South Signal Box 1430-1630 on Sunday by Heather from the Guild Tel: 01727 836781 Ridgmont Rd, St Albans of Straw Craftsmen. A chance to try your hand at Web: www.stalbans.gov.uk/business/markets Web: www.sigbox.co.uk a traditional local craft. St Albans Farmers Markets sell a large range of The Grade II listed Midland Railway signal box Saturday: 1000 - 1800 nutritious fresh produce and homemade products was built in 1892. The restoration was awarded Sunday: 1400 - 1730 on the 2nd Sunday of each month. the National Heritage railway award for signalling Directions: Off the B651 St Albans to Saturday: 1000 - 1630 structures in 2010 and demonstrations of the Wheathampstead Road. Bus 304 or 620 Sunday: 1000 - 1400 box in action will be running continuously over Do I need to Pre - Book? No Directions: St Peters Street the weekend. It is the only signalbox adjacent Other notes: Free parking in Church End Do I need to Pre - Book? No to an operational main line railway open to the or in Village Hall car park Disability Access: Full public. The museum will be open with video Disability Access: Full St Michael’s Church, St Albans

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The official visitor website for St Albans 30 St Peter’s Church 31 The Independent Chapel 34 Verulamium Museum & St Peter’s Church, St Peter’s Street, Spicer Street, St Albans Legion XIIII St Albans Tel: 01727 857044 Verulamium Museum, Tel: 01727 855485 Web: www.spicerstreet.org.uk St. Michael’s, St Albans Web: www.stpeterschurch.uk.com Grade II Listed non-Conformist chapel, built in Tel: 01727 751810 St Peter’s Church commands the Northern 1811. There are many original features and Web: www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk end of St Peter’s Street. Founded in 948 AD, there will be an exhibition tracing the church’s Situated in Verulamium Park, the Museum successive restorations have given a wholly history back to 1650. Famous associations houses the vast collection of finds excavated Victorian appearance to a church containing with poet William Cowper, hymn writer Philip from the site of Verulamium, one of the largest a largely 15th century nave, many interesting Doddridge, and Samuel Ryder, founder of the towns in Roman Britain. memorials including that of Edward Strong Ryder Cup. The finds range from large mosaics, amongst (Master Mason in the construction of St. Paul’s Saturday: 1200 - 1700 the best in this country, to the small objects of Cathedral) and an intriguing series of medieval Sunday: 1400 - 1700 everyday life. Using recreated Roman rooms, painted glass windows made up of fragments Directions: 200 metres from city centre off hands-on discovery areas, touch screens and of earlier windows smashed in strange George Street. video presentations, the Roman town is brought circumstances. Buried in the churchyard are Do I need to Pre - Book? No to life. On Saturday and Sunday, meet the many killed in the Battles of St Albans in 1455 Other notes: Nearest car parks: Christopher soldiers from Legion XIIII and find out about life and 1461. Visitors will be able to ascend the Place (Sat only), Russell Avenue and Gombards in the Roman Legions. Admission will be free. tower to see the ringing chamber and the bells (Sat and Sun). Refreshments available. The Roman Theatre of Verulamium and there will be explanatory displays to help Disability Access: Partial - wheelchair access Thursday: 1000 - 1730 you understand the history of this fascinating to ground floor only 33 The Roman Theatre of Friday: 1000 - 1730 building. Depending on the weather, you will be Verulamium Saturday: 1000 - 1730 32 The Independent Chapel able to go onto the tower roof, the highest point The Roman Theatre of Verulamium, Sunday: 1030 - 1730 in St Albans (age restrictions apply) Lecture Bluehouse Hill, St Albans Directions: Next to St Michael’s Church in St Spicer Street, St Albans Tel: 01727 853035 Michaels Village. (Follow Brown Signs) Saturday: 1100 - 1600 Tel: 01727 857044 Web: www.romantheatre.co.uk Sunday: 1400 - 1600 Do I need to Pre - Book? No Web: www.spicerstreet.org.uk Built in c.40AD, the Roman theatre is unique in Directions: At the North end of St Peter’s Street, Other notes: The Roman Army vs. the Celts - 10 Lecture: Spicer Street Church, banished, Britain, being a theatre with a stage, rather than just North of Hatfield Road/Catherine Street Sep 1300 - 1700 A Heritage Open Days Family outlawed, freed 1662 - 2012 an amphitheatre and is the only fully excavated roundabout Event. Watch an exciting battle. Saturday: 1600 - 1700 example of its kind in Britain. The main ruins Do I need to Pre - Book? No Disability Access: Full Sunday: 1600 - 1700 were unearthed in 1847 and subsequent Other notes: Refreshments will be available, Do I need to Pre - Book? No and toilets. No car parking excavations have revealed shop foundations, a Roman villa and a secret shrine. Disability Access: Partial - Full access to the church, but the tower is only accessible by a Saturday: 1000 - 1700 spiral staircase. Sunday: 1000 - 1700 Directions: Located just off road known as Bluehouse Hill (A4147) near the Verulamium Museum. Do I need to Pre - Book? No Other notes: No parking available at the Theatre. Use Verulamium Museum Car Park. Disability Access: Partial Verulamium Museum

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The official visitor website for St Albans 35 Wheathampstead Old St Albans Book Fair Railway Station Future Events 22nd October – 2nd January Junction of Lower Luton Rd/Cory-Wright Way Courtroom, Town Hall, Market Place. and Lamer Lane/Station Road, Wheathampstead Open Monday to Saturday 9am til 6pm, Sundays Please find below a selection of who did much of the work to excavate Roman Tel: 01582 832541 1000 to 1700 Web: www.wheathampsteadheritage.org.uk the main events that are taking Verulamium. Cream Teas will be served whilst the church is open 14.30 to 1700. Partially restored platform and railbed with place in and around the St Albans St Albans Firework Display Disability Access: Partial Saturday 3rd November Victorian and later features, now used as a District over the next few months. picnic site and part of the Village Heritage Trail. Verulamium Park For further information regarding Unmanned and open access. The station was The largest Firework Display in the south of on the Hatfield to Luton & Dunstable Line, now these, and other events, call the England, this veritable panoply of pyrotechnic a cycle route and walkway (National Route 57 Tourist Information Centre on craft is organised by St Albans Cathedral in aid and Ayot Greenway). 2010 marked the 150th 01727 864511 or visit of local charities. Gates open at 1800 hrs. The anniversary of the opening of Wheathampstead display at Verulamium Park takes place at 1930 station as a passenger line. Until 2009 the Herts Open Studios hrs. Tickets available The Alban Arena, former platform lay overgrown by ivy and 8th - 30th September Tel. 01727 844488 sycamore, disused and all but forgotten. Tel: 07813100651 Christmas Market and Lights Through volunteer help it now springs back to See brochure for details Switch-on life. Meet artists and craftspeople throughout the Sunday 18th November - From 1430 city as they open their doors to the public, Thursday: Open Access (Lights on at 1730) demonstrating their skills and selling their work. Friday: Open Access St Peter’s Street Saturday: Open Access A free brochure containing all artist details and An afternoon and early evening spectacular of Sunday: Open Access opening times can be obtained from the Tourist St Albans Beer Festival pantomime stars, street entertainers and fun Directions: Junction of B653 & B651. Access Information Office, libraries and art venues. 26th - 29th September by roundabout Station Rd - Rd. (Grid The Alban Arena and games for children, marks the start of Ref TL 177 143 The latitude & longitude is St Stephens Church St Albans is the home of CAMRA - The Christmas shopping in St Albans. Separate 51 48’ 42” degrees North, 0 17’ 19” degrees Sunday 30th September Campaign for Real Ale - which organises the events also take place in Harpenden, Southdown West). Regular bus service from St Albans, Watling Street, St. Albans, AL1 2PX biggest Beer Festival in Hertfordshire. Up to 300 and London Colney. Harpenden, Luton, Welwyn Garden City and Tel: 01727 862598 varieties of real Ale, a Foreign Beer Bar, Ciders surrounding area. St Stephen’s is a historic pilgrim church, and Perries also available. Do I need to Pre - Book? No situated on the Roman road of Watling Street St Albans Food & Drink Other notes: Free car park in East Lane on the southern edge of St Albans. Part of (behind the Bull PH). Refreshments available the Saxon structure still stands, although the Festival a few minutes walk away in Village Centre – original building has been greatly altered and 26th September to 7th October café/pub/restaurant/off-licence etc. Follow the extended. The church includes a 13th century www.stalbansfoodanddrink.com Heritage Trail round the Village or take a stroll chapel, thought to be a Leper Chapel, a Tudor St Albans has a long history of excellent pubs and picnic informally along the River Lea roof and some fine 19th century stained-glass. and restaurants. The Food and Drink Festival Disability Access: None - Access via 20 wide St Stephen’s also contains the oldest Font in celebrates this starting with the CAMRA Beer steps with hand rail only the city and the churchyard includes part of the Festival and ending with the Harvest Festival in Roman cemetery. Amongst the many interesting the Cathedral. There will also be plenty to eat graves can be found that of Tessa Wheeler and drink throughout. St Albans Food & Drink Festival

The official visitor 18 www.enjoystalbans.com website for St Albans www.enjoystalbans.com 19

The official visitor website for St Albans 2 The Almonds, off The Poplars, AL1 1UZ Visit Energy Saving This detached house, built in 1989 has had improvements made steadily over the last 21 years. Insulation has received careful attention Homes in your locality! including cavity wall insulation, Rockwool in the loft and rigid foam wall insulation in the conservatory extension. Solar thermal and pv panels have been added and the garden has Concerned about ever increasing fuel prices and climate change? several water saving measures with significant As part of the Heritage Open Days Weekend, why not visit some rainwater storage. There is a wood burning stove in the extension and a new gas boiler and local homes where people are saving energy and making St Albans thermostats. a more sustainable city? Saturday: 11.00-12.00 & 14.00-15.00 Talk to the owners; find out firsthand what has worked and what hasn’t. Benefit from their experience Sunday: 11.00-12.00 & 14.00-15.00 and maybe avoid expensive mistakes. Be inspired to start developing energy saving ideas in your Disability access: None home. Transition St Albans has organised this programme, because practical examples speak louder Pre- booking required than words.

Details for all properties listed below and how to book a visit can be found on www.stalbansenergysavinghomes.org 32 Boleyn Drive, AL1 2BS 105 Sopwell Lane, AL1 1RN A 1930s mid terrace featuring an amateur loft conversion with further insulation fitted in A mid terrace Victorian house which features between rafters. There is an overpowered solar high density rockwool roof insulation in the thermal system that converted loft & Kingspan insulation in the utilises the spare heat kitchen extension, 2 solar (sun-pipe) roof lights generated for space on the first floor & 2 more conventional daylight heating purposes. roof lights in the kitchen extension, secondary Though the solar window glazing which also reduces street water heating is fully noise levels, ‘A’rated appliances, energy saving operational the “heat lamps, dual flush toilet and a plan to fit LED’s dump system” is under in the bathroom. The owner plans to install an development for R & D ‘air-wash’ high efficiency solid fuel stove over purposes. the summer months and is very willing to explain how all the changes have reduced energy use. The property also has a DIY solar kettle installed and a purpose built solar oven in the south Saturday: 9.00 – 12.00 & 14.00-18.00 facing garden. Disability access: None Pre - booking required Saturday: 13.00-16.00 Disability access: None Pre - booking required

The official visitor 20 www.enjoystalbans.com website for St Albans www.enjoystalbans.com 21

The official visitor website for St Albans 23 Gresford Close, AL4 0UB 36 Longacres, AL4 0DR Over a period of 7 years refurbishment to this mid 70s house has lead to a 40% reduction in gas/ A modern house whose owners started by electricity input from the grid. The changes include solar pv and solar thermal panels on the roof, ensuring sufficient insulation in the roof and the cavity wall insulation and increased loft insulation, energy efficient appliances, new Worcester walls before installing solar pv and solar thermal Greenstar boiler & room thermostat and double glazing. Water useage has been lowered by dual flush panels. The owners are very informative on the toilets and rainwater storage of 650 litres for the garden. costs and benefits of solar power and how to run the household to make best use of it. See their Saturday: 10.00-13.00 blog at http://gettingstufftowork.wordpress.com/ Sunday: 10.00-13.00 category/renewable-energy/ Disability access: None. The house is in a cul de sac with limited street parking Saturday: 10.00-14.00 Pre-booking not required - maximum of Sunday: 10.00-14.00 8 people at a time Disability access: Facilities to be seen are in the garage which is accessible by wheelchair 45 Russet Drive, AL4 0DB Pre- booking required Since moving in six years ago, the owners have gradually increased the energy efficiency of this fourteen year old detached family home by installing solar pv and solar thermal panels, cavity wall insulation and an energy efficient boiler, along with various small appliances such as LED lights. Saturday: 9.00-11.00 Sunday: 9.00-11.00 Disability access: None Pre- booking required

Find everything you need to plan your visit at: www.stalbansenergysavinghomes.org

Transition St Albans? Transition St Albans is one of many ‘Transition Initiatives’ around the UK and beyond. We are a group of people exploring together how to make St Albans a more sustainable city. We want to find positive and creative ways to address the challenges of climate change and declining cheap energy supplies. Following on the success of our Open Food Gardens programme, this Energy Savings Homes weekend is your chance to visit St Albans homes where people are choosing to live more sustainably. Visit our website www.transitionstalbans.org

The official visitor 22 www.enjoystalbans.com website for St Albans www.enjoystalbans.com 23

The official visitor website for St Albans 26th September - 7th October 2012

St Albans Food & Drink Festival is the “Talk of the Town”

Visit our website for details of all the fabulous events and ‘Meal Deals’ that are taking place throughout the St Albans Food & Drink Festival.

26 SEPT TO 7 OCTOBER 2012 Tel: 01727 864511 www.stalbansfoodanddrink.com 24 www.enjoystalbans.com

Bringing the District together

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