Heritage Open Days 8th - 11th September 2011

www.stalbans.gov.uk  A Welcome from the Right Worshipful The Mayor of the City and District, Welcome to Councillor Aislinn Lee Heritage Open Days Heritage Open Days is a wonderful opportunity to explore properties and attractions that are not usually open or Thursday 8th - Sunday 11th September 2011 normally charge an entrance fee. Every year in early Heritage Open Days celebrates ’s architecture and culture by September buildings of every age, style and function allowing free access to interesting properties that are not normally open open their doors to the public and bring our heritage to the public, or would charge an entrance fee. Heritage Open Days also to life. This booklet highlights the local events and include tours, events, lectures and activities that focus on architecture and attractions that are open as part Heritage Open Days. culture. This year Heritage Open Days will run from 8th - 11th September. There are walks, tours, events and places to visit all over On the following pages is the list of what’s happening and when in this year’s event. For the majority there is no need to pre book* and they are all FREE* the District, and during Heritage Open Days, they’re all free! This year St (*unless otherwise indicated!) Albans Crown Court are having an open day, and you can see the mosaic in the Alban Arena. You can also take a tour of some of our historic churches, More information details of events taking place across the country can be find out more about our Roman history or visit our railway heritage at the found on the Heritage Open Days website www.heritageopendays.org.uk Signal Box or Wheathampstead old station. Enjoy the stunning view from the See the “At a glance” timetable of events on pages 10 and 11 to help you top of the Clock Tower, or take part in Giant Monopoly. There are also a wide plan your itinerary. variety of guided walks, from A Round With Sam Ryder to The Heritage Tree An electronic version of this booklet can be found on the Council Website Walk. www.stalbans.gov.uk This booklet has all the information you need to plan your itinerary and make sure you get the most out of the event. Don’t forget to look out for the This leaflet is available Tour Guides; you can’t miss them as they will be wearing blue or green badges and will be happy to help you. There are also thousands of in alternative formats, events happening further afield, check the Heritage Open Days Website for eg in Braille, large details. (www.heritageopendays.org.uk) print, on audio tape It’s easy to fall in love with St Albans but not really know the history. Delve or email by contact- deeper and join me in taking one of these tours to find out more about our ing the Council on Tel: fascinating city. 01727 819275 or by Cllr Aislinn Lee Text phone on 01727 The Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City and District of St Albans. 819570.

  5 Crime and Punishment 7 The Heritage Tree Walk Walks Local crimes ranged from murder Walk-talk in the Cathedral to theft worth two Tel: 01582 791912 Unless otherwise stated there is no need to pre-book on any of these pence, and the punishments were Web: www.walk-talk.co.uk walks. Also unless otherwise stated, the walks below are presented by the City of St Albans Tour Guides. They can be contacted via the Tourist often disproportionately harsh. This A 90-minute walk looking at the & Information Centre at the Old Town Hall on 01727 864511. Web: www. walk will take place in the 1831 heritage trees planted to mark 2000 stalbanstourguides.co.uk for further details. Courtroom, the two buildings that were years of special people, places and prisons in times past and point out the events; from the pine nuts found at the 1 Aristocrats, Paupers & Disability Access: Partial - narrow site of such niceties as the stocks and Roman triangular Temple to current Philanthropists pavments and steep steps from the pillory. Not to be missed for the community victories. Road to the old station. This enjoyable stroll round the stout-hearted! St Peter’s area features the great Sunday: 1030 3 A Taste of St Albans and the (sometimes!) good of St Saturday: 1100 and 1400 Meeting point: The walk starts at Looking at just one small area of the Albans and the various buildings and Meeting point: Front of Old Town Hall. Museum and ends city centre, this guided walk lasts an charitable institutions they generously Do I need to Pre - Book?: Yes. at St Peter’s church in the centre hour and gives a taste of the rich and gave to the city. Their stories are all Timed tickets required - maximum 20 of St Albans at noon - or back at varied history of St Albans. quite fascinating – but then some were people per tour. Tickets available from Verulamium at 12:30pm. among the most powerful people in Friday: 1100 the Tourist Information Centre. Other notes: There is a car park at the Kingdom! Meeting point: Front of Old Town Hall. Disability Access: Partial (there are the start of the walk. some steps). Sunday: 1500 Disability Access: This walk stays in Disability Access: Partial - covers Meeting point: Front of Old Town Hall. the centre of St Albans and is fairly 6 Successes, Failures and some grassy areas which are too soft level throughout. for wheelchairs after wet weather. Disability Access: Disabled toilets Lessons Learnt Tel: 01727 830521 are available at the start of the tour 4 Coaching Inns 8 Verulamium in a Nutshell Walk only. Level walk, dropped kerbs. Web: www.stalbanscivicsociety.net St Albans was, for many years, one This walk explores Verulamium Park St Albans Civic Society Fiftieth day’s journey from London to the - site of Britain’s 3rd largest Roman 2 A Round With Sam Ryder Anniversary Walk. Join the city North West and the numerous inns town and the only complete Roman A journey tracing the remarkable watchdogs on a 75-minute, circular that lined the main roads in the town Theatre. We also explore the remains events of one of St Albans most walk as they reflect on half a century provided food and accommodation for of the Roman Walls, foundations of the prominent citizens, we walk the of action in St Albans. length of a golf course - his passion; travellers and stabling for their horses. London Gate and a superb mosaic. Saturday: 1400 we sow the seeds of respect for his But that is only part of the story - on Saturday: 1500 Meeting point: Outside the Alban entrepreneurial flair - his business; we this walk you will hear about other Meeting point: Meet outside the Arena in Civic Square, St Albans. look into his commitment to civic duty events that took place in these entrance to Verulamium Museum. Other notes: Not suitable for children - his politics. Then after 18 holes, we historic inns and of some of the Other notes: Café in the park, 100m aged under12. Organised by St finally understand and know the man. people who stayed in them! from the start of the walk. Albans Civic Society. A family man, a caring employer, a Thursday: 1100 Disability Access: Verulamium Disability Access: Partial disabled churchman, a Mayor and yes - the Meeting point: Front of Old Town Hall. Park and the theatre are accessible. access (there are some steps). man behind the Ryder Cup. Disability Access: The route goes Access to the Town House and shops Sunday: 1000 along Sopwell Lane, which has very at the theatre is by steps only. Meeting point: Front of Old Town Hall. narrow pavements.   Saturday: 0830 - 1745 Britain today. Learn how and when Tower Tours - 1000, 1130, 1300, 1430. they were painted and the significance Attractions This spectacular tour takes you up 193 of what they show us. Hall in 1968. With the advent of the steps to the roof of the Norman Tower. Fun Family Trail - available from 1300 main foyer extension in 1990, the Tickets available on the day of the tour. to 1600. See Saturday for details. mosaic has remained covered in order Maximum 12 people per tour. General Tour - 1430 to protect it. Minimum age 11. See www. Highlights tour - 1305 stalbanscathedral.org for full Saturday: 1000 - 1600 Do I need to Pre - Book?: Some guidelines. Directions: The Arena is off Bricket tours by ticket only on a first come, Road, marked by brown tourist signs. Explore The Exterior Tour - 1430 - Join first served basis. Disability Access: Full an expert guide who will explain the Disability Access: Disabled parking complex architecture of this ancient provided, Induction loop, Touch & 9 Abbey Gateway 11 Cathedral and Abbey Church Hearing Centre, Braille guide plan. St Albans School, St Albans of St Alban building and how it has changed over the centuries. The Café at the Abbey is open: Tel: 01727 855521 Sumpter Yard, St Albans Monday – Friday: 0830 - 1630 Web: www.st-albans.herts.sch.uk Tel: 01727 860780 Fun Family Trail - available from 1100 Saturday: 1000 - 1630 The most complete medieval gateway Web: www.stalbanscathedral.org to 1530. Someone has been ringing Sunday: 1300 - 1600 in England. Tours from 1000 to 1530 is the oldest site the Cathedral bells in the middle of Regular Services every half hour. Tours take 35-40 of continuous Christian worship in the night – Follow the clues around the Saturday 1600 - Evensong. minutes. Britain. The building itself is a blend Cathedral and find out who. Sunday 0930 - Parish Eucharist. Sunday: 1000 - 1530 of architectural styles spanning a General Tours - 1130 and 1400 Sunday 1115 - Choral Eucharist. Directions: The Gateway is adjacent millennia and contains recycled Highlights tour - 1305 Sunday 1830 - Evensong. to the West front of St Albans Abbey. Roman bricks from Verulamium. Of Sunday 0830-1745 Follow signs to the Cathedral. special interest are the 13th century 12 Tower Tours - 1330, 1445, 1600. Clock Tower Other notes: Each tour limited to wall paintings, a rare watching loft See Saturday for details. Market Place, St Albans 20 visitors. Some very steep steps. and the shrines of Saint Alban and Web: www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk Discover The Medieval Wall Paintings Parking available in St Albans School Amphibalus. Built between 1403 and 1412, the car park alongside the gateway. Thursday: 0830 - 1745 - 1500. St Albans Cathedral retains Clock Tower is the only medieval town Disability Access: No disabled General Tours - 1130 and 1430 some of the finest examples of belfry in England, and has its original access to Gateway Highlights tour - 1305 medieval wall paintings surviving in bell. The tower is 19.6 metres high and 10 Alban Arena Friday: 0830 - 1745 has 94 steps to the top via a narrow Civic Centre, St Albans Abbey by Night Tours - 2000 and spiral staircase giving fine views of the Tel: 01727 844488 2030. Take an atmospheric tour of Cathedral, Roman Verulamium and the Web: www.alban-arena.co.uk this amazing building by candlelight. City. The Tower and its fine bell have A rare opportunity to view this Maximum 20 people per tour. Tickets survived 600 years of use. Roman double mosaic dating from available from the Information Desk Saturday: 1030 - 1700 the late 2nd to the early 3rd century, at the Cathedral from Friday 2nd Sunday: 1030 - 1700 excavated in the 1930’s from a September. Directions: On the corner of High building in Verulamium Park and General Tours - 1130 and 1430 Street, French Row and Market Street. installed in the then newly built City Highlights tour - 1305 Disability Access: None   Other notes: Open for viewing and told through lively displays using the information. Exhibition of the Church’s museum’s collections. The museum history. Adjoining coffee shop is open also has a wildlife garden. Free 1000 - 1400 on the Saturday for teas admission. and light meals. No parking at the Thursday: 1000 - 1700 Church, but public car park opposite. Friday: 1000 - 1700 Disability Access: Full access via Saturday: 1000 - 1700 Cross Street coffee shop entrance. Sunday: 1400 - 1700 15 Giant Monopoly Directions: From the town centre, 13 Court and Convicted Tel: 01727 827667 restored using traditional materials take the A1057(Hatfield Road). The Exhibition Web: www.activestalbans.co.uk and methods. Also on display Museum is next to Kashu. Courtroom, Town Hall, Market Join the St Albans Arts, Sport & Health will be an exhibition featuring the Other notes: There is a small car Place, St Albans Team in a game of Giant Monopoly, photography of John Bethell. park at the museum. Other parking is Tel: 01727 864511 played across areas of the city centre Saturday: 1000 - 1600 available in the city centre within a 10 Web: www.stalbanstourguides.co.uk and through Verulamium Park. There Sunday: 1000 - 1600 minute walk. An exhibition on some of the trials are 2 routes to choose from: the 2.5 Directions: Enter via Kingsbury Disability Access: Disabled access which took place in this perfectly mile Yellow Route and a 4.5 mile Blue Manor, by the pudding stone next to to ground floor galleries only. Disabled preserved Regency Court Room. Route. A great day out for all the Kingsbury Mill on St Michael’s Street. toilet available. Thursday: 1000 - 1600 family, taking in some of the sites and Other notes: Disabled parking only 18 Radio Verulam 92.6 FM Friday: 1000 - 1600 attractions of the district. in Kingsbury Mews. Public parking at studios Saturday: 1000 - 1600 Sunday: 1100 - 1700 Verulamium Museum car park. 11 Hatfield Road (above Courtyard Sunday: 1000 - 1600 Directions: Meet outside BHS on St Disability Access: Full access Café), St Albans Directions: The courtroom is Peter’s Street. 17 Museum of St Albans Tel: 01727 839926 accessed from the Tourist and Do I need to Pre - Book?: You can 9a Hatfield Road, St Albans Web: www.radioverulam.com Information Centre in Market Place. sign up online at www.activestalbans. Tel: 01727 819340 Studios of Radio Verulam 92.6 Disability Access: Partial com or register on the day. Web: www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk FM, the Community Radio station 14 Dagnall Street Baptist Church Other notes: In running with the The story of historic St Albans from serving St Albans and West Herts. Upper Dagnall Street, St Albans Monopoly theme, there is free parking the Romans to the present day is All our activities are undertaken by Tel: 01727 846891 in most of the city centre car parks. volunteers. The premises are quite Web: www.dsbc.org.uk Disability Access: Partial - some of small and live programmes will be Built in 1885, the present church the heritage buildings in the District being broadcast at the time so access stands on the site first used by St have limited/no disabled access. will be limited to small groups of Albans Baptists in 1720. There are 16 Kingsbury Barn maximum six people. Radio Verulam a number of features unusual for a Kingsbury Manor, St.Michaels are holding a Your Questions Heritage Victorian-era Free Church. Street, St Albans Special on 13th Sept. See page 18 Saturday: 1000 - 1700 Tel: 01727 838965 Saturday: 1000 - 1600 Sunday: 1400 - 1700 Web: www.kingsburybarn.co.uk Directions: Above the Courtyard Café Directions: Central St Albans, Upper Kingsbury Barn was built by the on Hatfield Road Dagnall Street. Abbey in 1374 and was recently Disability Access: None   24. Spicer Street Church 1200 - 1700 AT A GLANCE TIMETABLE OF EVENTS 25. St Albans Crown Court 1000 - 1500 See individual listings for details - many locations have activities during the day 26. St Albans Market 1000 - 1630 27. St Albans South Signal Box 1000 - 1600 Thursday 8th September 28. St Albans District Talking Newspaper 1000 - 1600 Attractions 29. St Leonard’s Church, Sandridge 1000 - 1800 30. St Michael’s Church 1300 - 1600 11. Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban 0830 - 1745 31. St Peter’s Church 1100 - 1600 13. Court and Convicted Exhibition 1000 - 1600 32. The Roman Theatre of Verulamium 1000 - 1700 17. Museum of St Albans 1000 - 1700 33. Verulamium Museum & Legion XIIII 1000 - 1730 20. Roman Mosaic (Hypocaust Building) 1000 - 1630 (Legion XIIII - 1430 & 1530) 22. Ryder Building 1000 - 1900 34. Wheathampstead Old Railway Station Open Access 23. Sopwell Nunnery Open Access St Albans Market 30. St Michael’s Church 1300 - 1600 Walks 33. Verulamium Museum (free after 1400) 1000 - 1730 5. Crime and Punishment 1100, 1400 34. Wheathampstead Old Railway Station Open Access 6. Successes, Failures and Lessons Learnt 1400 Walks St Albans Cathedral 8. Verulamium in a Nutshell Walk 1500 4. Coaching Inns 1100 Sunday 11th September Friday 9th September Attractions Attractions 9. Abbey Gateway 1000 - 1530 Abbey Gateway 11. Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban 0830 - 1745 11. Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban 0830 - 1745 13. Court and Convicted Exhibition 1000 - 1600 12 Clock Tower 1030 - 1700 17. Museum of St Albans 1000 - 1700 13. Court and Convicted Exhibition 1000 - 1600 20. Roman Mosaic (Hypocaust Building) 1000 - 1630 Roman Mosaic 14. Dagnall Street Baptist Church 1400 - 1700 22. Ryder Building 1000 - 1900 15. Giant Monopoly 1100 - 1700 23. Sopwell Nunnery Open Access 16. Kingsbury Barn 1000 - 1600 30. St Michael’s Church 1300 - 1600 17. Museum of St Albans 1400 - 1700 33. Verulamium Museum (free after 1400) 1000 - 1730 19. 1400 - 1700 34. Wheathampstead Old Railway Station Open Access 20. Roman Mosaic (Hypocaust Building) 1400 - 1630 Walks 21. Rothhamsted Manor 1000 - 1400 22. Ryder Building and Exhibition 1000 - 1900 3. A Taste of St Albans 1100 23. Sopwell Nunnery Open Access Saturday 10th September 24. Spicer Street Church 1400 - 1700 26. St Albans Farmers Market 1000 - 1400 Attractions 27. St Albans South Signal Box 1000 - 1600 10 Alban Arena Mosaic Viewing 1000 - 1600 29. St Leonard’s Church, Sandridge 1400 - 1730 Dagnall Street Baptist Church 11. Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban 0830 - 1745 30. St Michael’s Church 1300 - 1700 12. Clock Tower 1030 - 1700 31. St Peter’s Church 1400 - 1600 13. Court and Convicted Exhibition 1000 - 1600 Clock Tower 32. The Roman Theatre of Verulamium 1000 - 1700 14 Dagnall Street Baptist Church 1000 - 1700 33. Verulamium Museum & Legion XIIII 1400 - 1730 16. Kingsbury Barn 1000 - 1600 (Legion XIIII - 1500) 17. Museum of St Albans 1000 - 1700 34. Wheathampstead Old Railway Station Open Access 18. Radio Verulam 92.6 FM Studios 1000 - 1600 19. Redbournbury Mill 0930 - 1300 Walks 20. Roman Mosaic (Hypocaust Building) 1000 - 1630 1 Aristocrats, Paupers and Philanthropists 1500 22. Ryder Building and Exhibition 1000 - 1900 2. A Round With Sam Ryder 1000 23. Sopwell Nunnery Open Access Redbournbury Watermill 7. The Heritage Tree Walk 1030 St Albans Crown Court 10 11 19 Redbournbury Mill Thursday: 1000 - 1630 Disability Access: Disabled toilet and can be obtained free from hotel Road, AL3 6RS Friday: 1000 - 1630 and limited disabled parking. There reception. Tel: 01582 792874 Saturday: 1000 - 1630 is a single step at the entrance. Tour Disability Access: Partial - listed Web: www.redbournmill.co.uk Sunday: 1400 - 1630 is on ground floor only and most of stairwell to Samuel Ryder office, no lift Fully restored working 18th Century Directions: Next to St Michael’s the accessible areas are on one level. access. watermill museum producing organic Church in St Michael’s Village. (Follow Limited access to gardens. 23 Sopwell Nunnery stoneground flour and artisan bread. brown signs) Follow signs from Off Cottonmiill Lane, St Albans. Saturday: 0930 - 1300 Verulamium Museum Car Park (350m) Tel: 01727 751810 Sunday: 1400 - 1700 - 10 minute walk. Web: www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk Directions: Redbournbury Lane, Other notes: There is a small car Visit the ruins of Sir Richard Lee’s Redbourn Road, St Albans. park at the museum. Other parking is Tudor great house, built c1555 on the Do I need to Pre - Book?: No available at Westminster Lodge and in site of a 12th Century nunnery bought Other notes: Parking, nearby walks, the city centre within a 15 minute walk. from Henry VIII. cold drinks, ice cream and cakes for Refreshments available locally. Thursday - Sunday: Open Access sale. Disability Access: Full. There is a Directions: Just south of the River Disability Access: Ground floor only motorised disability cart available from Ver off Cottonmill Lane between Old and toilet. Verulamium Museum. 22 Ryder Building Sopwell Gardens and Mentmore Road. 20 Roman Mosaic 21 Comfort Hotel, Ryder House, Other notes: Car parking on the road, (Hypocaust Building) West Common, AL5 2JQ Holywell Hill, St Albans some restrictions apply. Verulamium Park, St Albans Tel: 01727 848849 Tel: 01582 763133 Disability Access: Partial - on open Tel: 01727 751810 Web: www.comforthotelstalbans. Web: www.rothamsted-manor. common land, may be difficult for Web: www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk co.uk co.uk/pdfs/manorhistory.pdf disabled visitors. In Verulamium Rothamsted Manor received a first Now housing the Comfort Hotel, this Park lies the recorded mention in 1212 and has was originally built as the headquarter Roman Mosaic been developed throughout time offices of the Ryder Seed Company. - part of a suite culminating in 1900 when Sir John Samuel Ryder is now best known for starting the Ryder Cup golf match, of rooms in Bennet Lawes’ son Charles made a large town now played between America and extensive alterations. Guided tours of house built Europe. On Saturday and Sunday five rooms and areas as well as free around AD200. from 1000 to 1700 there will a display access to gardens. Beneath a fine by the City and District of St Albans mosaic, there Sunday: 1000 - 1400 Tour Guides in the Samuel Ryder is an under Directions: Take B487 from Room, exploring the life and legacy of floor heating Harpenden and turn into private road, Samuel Ryder. system, a hypocaust. It is a precursor second on the right after the White Thursday: 1000 - 1900 of modern central heating - the Horse pub Friday: 1000 - 1900 Romans had no intentions of enduring Other notes: Parking available. Saturday: 1000 - 1900 a climate they found unpleasantly cold Visitors can bring their own picnic into Sunday: 1000 - 1900 in winter! the picturesque gardens. Other notes: Parking is permit only 12 13 24 Spicer Street Church 26 St Albans Market & Farmers National Heritage railway award 29 St Leonard’s Church, Spicer Street, St Albans Market for signalling structures last year Sandridge Tel: 01727 857044 St Peter’s Street, St Albans and demonstrations will be running Church End, Sandridge, St Albans Web: www.spicerstreet.org.uk Tel: 01727 819452 continuously over the weekend. It Tel: 01727 811899 Grade II Listed non-Conformist Web: www.stalbans.gov.uk is the only signalbox adjacent to Web: www.achurchnearyou.com/ chapel, built in 1811. There are many business/markets an operational main line railway sandridge open to the public. The museum Village church of Norman origin, original features and there will be an Saturday: 1000 - 1630 exhibition tracing the church’s history will be open with video and slide with many features of architectural The Famous St Albans market, the back to 1650. Famous associations shows. Steam traction engine rides or local historical interest. Guided largest street market in the South East with poet William Cowper, hymn writer and refreshments available in the tour at 2:30pm on Sunday. Childrens’ (Excluding London). Philip Doddridge, and Samuel Ryder, landscaped gardens. worksheet available Sunday: 1000 - 1400 Saturday: founder of the Ryder Cup. A lecture on Saturday: 1000 - 1600 1000 - 1800 As always on the 2nd Sunday in the Sunday: 1400 - 1730 the history of the church is at 1600 on Sunday: 1000 - 1600 month it is the St Albans Farmers Directions: Off the B651 St Albans to both days. Directions: 200 yds South of City Market Wheathampstead Rd. Bus 304 or 620. Saturday: 1200 - 1700 station - platform 4 exit. Free parking Directions: St Peters Street Other notes: Free parking in Church Sunday: 1400 - 1700 in Ridgmont Road. Disability Access: Full End or in Village Hall car park Directions: 200 metres from city Disability Access: Partial - no Disability Access: Full centre off George Street. 27 St Albans South Signal Box upstairs access. Other notes: Nearest car parks: Ridgmont Rd, St Albans Christopher Place (Sat only), Russell Web: www.sigbox.co.uk 28 St Albans and District Talking Avenue and Gombards (Sat and Sun). The Grade II listed Midland Railway Newspaper Disability Access: Partial - wheelchair signal box was built in 1892. 11 Hatfield Road, access to ground floor only. The restoration was awarded the (above Courtyard Café), St Albans 25 St Albans Crown Court Tel: 01727 866725 St Albans & District Talking 4 Bricket Road, St Albans Newspaper record and distribute Tel: 01727 753220 audio recordings of local news for Open day - A variety of Crown Court blind and partially sighted people and Magistrates Court mock hearings in St Albans and surrounding areas. including a mock trial. Visit the cells, The recordings are sent out each police dog display, fingerprinting, week and are produced in the studio. Crown Prosecution Service talk on knife crime, prison van. Various Saturday: 1000 - 1600 Directions: The studio is above the information stands by Criminal Justice 30 St Michael’s Church Courtyard Café, next to the Museum Agencies. St Michael’s Street, St Albans of St Albans on Hatfield Road. Saturday: 1000 - 1500 Tel: 01727 835037 Other notes: Refreshments available Other notes: Photography of any www.stmichaels-parishchurch.org.uk at the Courtyard Café. kind is strictly prohibited. All parties St Michael’s parish church is a late Disability Access: None. entering the building will be subject to Saxon Grade I listed building situated security search. on the site of the Roman basilica, the Disability Access: Full likely location of the trial of St Alban. 14 15 On the Sunday 11th September, Sunday: 1400 - 1600 Legion XIIII on parade at 1500 there will be a guided tour of the Directions: At the North end of St Directions: Next to St Michael’s church at 1400 and 1530 by the Peter’s Street, just North of Hatfield Church in St Michaels Village. (Follow church archivist. The bell tower Road/Catherine Street roundabout Brown Signs). will be open for tours of the ringing Other notes: Refreshments will be Other notes: There is a small car chamber and belfry and there will available, and toilets. No car parking park at the museum. Other parking is be opportunities to watch the ringers Disability Access: Full. available at Westminster Lodge and in perform! The parish centre will be 32 The Roman Theatre of the city centre within a 15 minute walk. open on Saturday and Sunday for Verulamium Disability Access: Full cream teas. Bluehouse Hill, St Albans 33 Verulamium Museum & 34 Wheathampstead Old Railway Thursday: 1300 - 1600 Tel: 01727 853035 Legion XIIII Station Friday: 1300 - 1600 Web: www.romantheatre.co.uk St. Michael’s, St Albans Junction of Lower Luton Rd/Cory- Saturday: 1300 - 1600 Built in c.40AD, the Roman theatre is Tel: 01727 751810 Wright Way and Lamer Lane/Station Sunday: 1300 - 1700 unique in Britain, being a theatre with Web: www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk Road, Wheathampstead Directions: The church is opposite a stage, rather than an amphitheatre Situated in Verulamium Park, the Tel: 01582 832541 Verulamium Museum and is the only fully excavated Museum houses the vast collection www.wheathampstead-pc.gov.uk Other notes: Parking (ticket example of its kind in Britain. The of finds excavated from the site of Partially restored platform and railbed machine) by Verulamium Museum. main ruins were unearthed in 1847 Verulamium, one of the largest towns with Victorian and later features, now Disability Access: Access into and subsequent excavations have in Roman Britain. used as a picnic site and part of the church via a ramp at the main door revealed shop foundations, a Roman Village Heritage Trail. Unmanned and Using recreated Roman rooms, and access to the north side, nave villa and a secret shrine. open access. The station was on the hands-on discovery areas, touch and lady chapel. Hatfield to Luton & Dunstable Line, Saturday: 1000 - 1700 screens and video presentations, the now a cycle route and walkway. 2010 St Peter’s Church Sunday: 1000 - 1700 Roman town is brought to life. St Peter’s Church, St Peter’s Directions: Located just off road marked the 150th anniversary of the 31 On Saturday and Sunday, meet the Street, St Albans known as Bluehouse Hill (A4147) near opening of Wheathampstead station soldiers from Legion XIIII and find out Tel: 01727 855485 the Verulamium Museum. as a passenger line. Until 2009 the about life in the Roman Legions. Web: www.stpeterschurch.uk.com Other notes: No parking at the former platform lay overgrown by ivy Founded in 948 AD, successive Theatre. Use Verulamium Museum Thursday: 1000 - 1730 (free after and sycamore, disused and all but restorations have given a wholly Car Park. 1400) forgotten. Through volunteer help it Victorian appearance to a church Disability Access: Partial. Friday: 1000 - 1730 (free after 1400) now springs back to life. containing a largely 15th century Saturday: 1000 -1730 (Free All Day) Thursday - Sunday: Open Access nave, many interesting memorials Legion XIIII on parade at 1430 & 1530 Directions: Junction of B653 & B651. and an intriguing series of medieval The Roman Army vs. the Celts Access by roundabout Station Rd painted glass windows made up 1300 - 1700 A Heritage Open Days - Codicote Rd. of fragments of earlier windows Family Event. Watch an exciting Other notes: Free car park in East smashed in strange circumstances. battle re-enactment using model Lane. Follow the Heritage Trail round Buried in the churchyard are many soldiers. Who will win? Boudicca or the Village or take a stroll and picnic killed in the Battles of St Albans in the Romans? Free, but museum entry informally along the River Lea. 1455 and 1461. charge for non residents applies. Disability Access: None - Access via Saturday: 1100 - 1600 Sunday: 1400 -1730 (Free All Day) 20 wide steps with hand rail only. 16 17 cemetery. Cream Teas will be served St Albans Book Fair whilst the church is open from 1430 to 22nd October – 2nd January Future Events 1700. Courtroom, Town Hall, Market Please find below a selection of the main events that are taking place Tel: 01727 862598 Place, St Albans in and around the St Albans District over the next few months. For Web: www.parishonline.co.uk Open Monday to Saturday 0900 til further information regarding these, and other events, call the St Albans Beer Festival 1800, Sundays 1000 til 1700 Tourist Information Centre on 01727 864511 or visit the St Albans 28th September - 1st October Web: www.stalbansbookfair.co.uk District Council Website - www.stalbans.gov.uk The Alban Arena, Civic Centre, St St Albans Firework Display Albans AL1 3LD Saturday 5th November Ayletts Dahlia Festival similar to BBC “Question Time”. It is St Albans is the home of CAMRA Verulamium Park, St Albans 9th - 18th September recorded live in front of an audience, - The Campaign for Real Ale - which 1930 (Gates open from 1830) providing a forum to grill local Ayletts Nurseries, AL2 1DH organises the biggest Beer Festival in The largest Firework Display in politicians and business people on the A spectacular exhibit of dahlias . Up to 300 real Ales, a Hertfordshire if not the country! issues that matter. Entry is free and complimented by autumn colours, Foreign Beer Bar, Ciders and Perries Certainly not to be missed. All the panel will comprise people whose plus many other events to enjoy. available. proceeds go to nominated charities. Web: www.aylettnurseries.co.uk/ opinions help shape what happens in St Albans and the surrounding area. Web: www.stalbansbeerfestival.info Christmas Market and Lights news/diary.htm Switch-on Herts Open Studios Details: Reserve your place and St Albans Food & Drink Sunday 21st November 11th September - 3rd October register to ask a question at www. Festival St Peter’s Street, St Albans Meet artists and craftspeople radioverulam.co.uk/yourquestions.html 28th September - 9th October 1430 (Lights on at 1730) throughout the city as they open their St Stephens Church Now in its 4th year, the St Albans The Market, Stage show and kiddie doors to the public. Free brochure Sunday 25th September Food & Drink Festival has become funfair are back for an afternoon of with all details, art descriptions and Watling Street, St. Albans AL1 2PX a popular and established event, entertainment which will include father times at the Tourist Information Centre, St. Stephen’s is a historic pilgrim showcasing the fantastic range of Christmas food, drink and produce available in libraries and art outlets. Taster event church, situated on the Roman road Web: www.stalbans.gov.uk/tourism with a selection of work by St Albans of Watling Street on the southern edge the District. Throughout the 12 days, participants at The Secret Garden of St. Albans. The church includes many of the pubs, restaurants and café on George St from 16th August to a Leper Chapel, a Tudor roof and hotels in the District are offering meal 2nd October. some fine deals or holding events including Web: www.hvaf.org.uk 19th century tastings, workshops and cookery Tel: 07813 100651 stained-glass. demonstrations. There will also be a Email: [email protected]. St Stephen’s continental market, farmers market, Your Questions - Heritage also contains and festival stalls giving you the Special the oldest chance to sample and buy local food. Tuesday 13th September Font in the (See advert on back cover) Maltings Arts Theatre, Maltings city and the Email: foodanddrinkfestival@ Shopping Centre, St Albans churchyard stalbans.gov.uk “Your Questions” is produced by includes part Web: www.stalbansfoodanddrink Radio Verulam 92.6FM. The format is of the Roman com 18 19 28th September - 9th October 2011

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.

28 SEPT TO 9 OCTOBER 2011

Tel: 01727 864511 www.stalbansfoodanddrink.com 20

Bringing the District together