St Albans
Encyclopedia
St Albans s is a city in southern Hertfordshire
, England
, around 22 miles (35.4 km) north of central London
, which forms the main urban area of the City and District of St Albans
. It is a historic market town
, and is now a sought-after dormitory town within the London commuter belt
. Property prices are notoriously high within the district, which is one of the most expensive in the UK.
St Albans has two official demonym
s: Verulamian and Old Albanian. St Albans was a settlement of pre-Roman origin named Verlamion (or Verulam) by the Ancient British
, Catuvellauni
tribe. It became the first major town on the old Roman
road of Watling Street
for travellers heading north and became the Roman city of Verulamium
.
Saint Alban
, the first British Christian martyr, was beheaded in AD 308 by Maximian
at the orders of Emperor Diocletian
, who denounced the Christian faith and had ordered the deaths of all subjects and allies of the Roman Empire who refused to give up the faith. Saint Alban consequently gave the town its modern name.
The St Albans area has a long history of settlement. The Celtic Catuvellauni
tribe had a settlement at Prae Hill a mile or so to the west. The Roman city of Verulamium
, second-largest town in Roman Britain after Londinium
, was built alongside this in the valley of the River Ver
a little nearer to the present city centre.
After the Roman withdrawal, and prior to becoming known as St Albans, the town was called Verlamchester or Wæclingacaester by the Mercian Angles
.
The mediaeval town grew up on the hill to the east of this around the Benedictine
foundation of St Albans Abbey. This is the spot where tradition has it that St Alban
, the first British Christian
martyr, was beheaded sometime before AD 324. It was, at one time, the principal abbey
in England and the first draft of Magna Carta
was drawn up there, reflecting its political importance. The Abbey Church, now St Albans Cathedral
(formally the Cathedral & Abbey Church of St Alban but still known locally as The Abbey) became the parish church when it was bought by the local people in 1553, soon after the priory was dissolved
in 1539. It was made a cathedral in 1877 when the City Charter was granted. There is evidence that the original site was somewhat higher up the hill than the present building and there had certainly been successive abbeys before the current building was started in 1077.
St Albans School
, a public school
which occupies a site to the west of the Abbey and which includes the 14th century Abbey Gateway
, was founded in AD 948 and is the only school in the English-speaking world to have educated a Pope
(Adrian IV
). It numbered amongst its buildings until comparatively recently a converted former hat factory, a link with the city's industrial past. Nearby Luton
was also a notable centre for the hat making industry.
The road between the Abbey and the school, running down to the River Ver
and Verulamium Park
(on part of the site of Roman Verulamium), is called Abbey Mill Lane. On this road are the palaces of the Bishops of St Albans
and Hertford
. The Fighting Cocks
, one of the oldest public houses in England, is at the Verulamium Park end of this road. Also on the River Ver, at the St Michael's Village end of the park, is Kingsbury Watermill
, which is now maintained as a museum with a waffle house attached.
Two battles of the Wars of the Roses
took place in or near the town. The First Battle of St Albans
was fought on 22 May 1455 within the town of St Albans itself, and the Second Battle of St Albans
was fought on 17 February 1461, just to the north.
The growth of St Albans was generally slow before the 20th century, reflecting its status as a rural
market town
, a Christian pilgrimage
site, and the first coaching stop of the route to and from London
- a fact which also accounts for its numerous inns, many dating from Tudor
times. In the inter-war years it became a popular centre for the electronics
industry. In the post-World War II
years it was expanded significantly as part of the post-War redistribution of population out of Greater London
that also saw the creation of new town
s.
The city today shows evidence of building and excavation from all periods of its history and is a tourist destination. Notable buildings include the Abbey and the early 15th century Clock Tower (pictured). The clock tower is one of only two similar towers in England; it is also the site of an Eleanor cross
, which was pulled down in 1703, it had suffered years of neglect, and had been struck and badly damaged by a carriage, it was replaced by the town pump. A fountain was erected in its place in 1874, now relocated to Victoria Place.
Running into St Albans from the south is Holywell Hill (generally pronounced "holly-well hill"), its name taken from the story of St Alban: legend has it that the Romans were looking for a traitor that had been injured and Alban found the traitor and helped him to recover, but soon after he had recovered and left the Romans found out that he had helped the traitor to escape and beheaded him, his severed head rolled down the hill from the execution site and into a well at the bottom of Hollywell Hill.
The mixed character of St Albans and proximity to London has made it a popular filming location. The Abbey and Fishpool Street areas were used for the pilot episode of the 1960s' ecclesiastical TV comedy All Gas and Gaiters
. The area of Romeland, directly north of the Abbey Gateway and the walls of the Abbey and school grounds, can be seen masquerading as part of an Oxford college in some episodes of Inspector Morse
(and several local pubs also appear). Fishpool Street, running from Romeland to St Michael's village, stood in for Hastings
in some episodes of Foyle's War
. Life Begins
was filmed largely in and around St Albans. The Lady Chapel in the Abbey itself was used as a location for at least one scene in Sean Connery
's 1995 film First Knight
, whilst the nave of the Abbey was used during a coronation scene as a substitute for Westminster Abbey
in Johnny English
starring Rowan Atkinson
. The 19th century gatehouse of the former prison near the mainline station appeared in the title sequence of the TV series Porridge
, starring Ronnie Barker
. The 2001 film Birthday Girl
starring Ben Chaplin
and Nicole Kidman
was also partly filmed in St Albans.
More recently, several scenes from the film Incendiary
, starring Michelle Williams
, Ewan McGregor
and Matthew Macfadyen
, were filmed in St Albans, focusing in particular on the Abbey and the Abbey Gateway. It is also home to popular stage school: Top Hat Stage & Screen School.
(Köppen climate classification
Cfb) similar to almost all of the United Kingdom.
with: Fano
, Italy
Nyíregyháza
, Hungary
Nevers
, France
Odense
, Denmark
Worms, Germany
Nieuwleusen
, Netherlands
Sylhet
, Bangladesh
In addition, there are friendship links with: HMS St Albans (F83)
, the Abbey Theatre, St Peter's Church and St Saviour's Church, given by numerous organisations including St Albans Bach Choir, St Albans Cathedral Choir
, St Albans Abbey Girl's Choir, St Albans Symphony Orchestra, St Albans Chamber Choir, St Albans Chamber Opera, The Company of Ten, St Albans Choral Society, and St Albans Organ Theatre. In addition, STARTS is a registered charity dedicated to raising the profile of all the arts in St Albans and enriching the city’s cultural environment. The Sandpit Theatre is a theatre attached to Sandringham School which hosts a wide variety of plays throughout the year, mainly performances put on by the pupils of Sandringham School. The school also hosts Best Theatre Arts, a part-time theatre school for children aged 4 to 16.
The St Albans Museum service runs two museums: Verulamium Museum, which tells the story of everyday life in Roman Britain using objects from the excavations of the important Roman Town; and the Museum of St Albans
, which focuses on the history of the town and of Saint Alban.
published a survey which revealed that residents of St Albans were the 10th most active in England in sports and other fitness activities. 30.8% of the population participate at least 3 times a week for 90 minutes.
St Albans is home to one of the country's oldest and finest indoor skateparks, the Pioneer Skatepark in Heathlands Drive, next to the former fire station. Its ramps are available to all skateboarders
and inliners
. A new outside mini ramp was built in March 2005. A second outdoor mini ramp was opened at Easter 2009.
The local football team is St Albans City F.C.
: its stadium is on the edge of Clarence Park and the team won promotion from the Conference South
League in 2005-06. It played in the Nationwide Conference
Division of the Football Conference
for the 2006-07 season, but finished at the bottom of the table and was relegated.
St Albans Centurions
rugby league
club have their ground at Toulmin Drive, St Albans. They play in the Rugby League Conference Premier South
division. In 2007 and again in 2010 'The Cents', as they are known, became National Champions of the RLC Premier Divisions.
Old Albanian RFC is a rugby union
club that plays at the Old Albanian sports complex to the north of the city centre. Saracens A team and OA Saints Women's Rugby team also play here. This complex also hosts the main offices of the Aviva Premiership club Saracens
(however, Saracens train in Hatfield
and play home matches at in Watford
).
St Albans RFC play at Boggymead Spring in Smallford, and
Verulam RFC (formerly Old Verulamians) play at Cotlandswick in London Colney
.
St Albans is also home to St Albans Hockey Club, based in Clarence Park
. The club is represented at National league level by both women's and men's teams, as well as other local league competitions. The club's nickname is The Tangerines.
Clarence Park also plays host to St Albans Cricket Club. The club currently runs four Saturday sides, playing in the Saracens Hertfordshire Cricket League and also two Sunday sides in the Chess Valley Cricket League. In 2008 the club's 1st XI won the Hertfordshire League Title.
St Albans Gymnastics Club, founded in 2005, provides the St Albans area with fun and effectively structured recreational classes as well as a professionally managed competitive squad training programme.
St Albans is additionally home to a community of traceurs from around Hertfordshire.
St Albans was once home to the then most prestigious steeplechase
in England. The Great St Albans chase attracted the best horses and riders from across Britain and Ireland in the 1830s and was held in such high esteem that when it clashed with the 1837 Grand National
the top horses and riders chose to bypass Aintree
. Without warning the race was discontinued in 1839 and was quickly forgotten.
The secondary schools in the area are:
State
Independent
The primary schools in the area are:
Free
State
St Albans is the location of two campuses of Oaklands College
and of a campus of the University of Hertfordshire
.
Dr *Ayan Panja
(b. 1973), doctor and presenter of BBC series Street Doctor
and The Health Show
, is based in St Albans
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, around 22 miles (35.4 km) north of central London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, which forms the main urban area of the City and District of St Albans
City and District of St Albans
The City of St Albans , also known as the City and District of St Albans or District of St Albans, is a local government district, in Hertfordshire, England. It was created in 1974 and since then has held the status of non-metropolitan district and city. The local authority is St Albans City Council...
. It is a historic market town
Market town
Market town or market right is a legal term, originating in the medieval period, for a European settlement that has the right to host markets, distinguishing it from a village and city...
, and is now a sought-after dormitory town within the London commuter belt
London commuter belt
The London commuter belt is the metropolitan area surrounding London, England from which it is practical to commute to work in the capital. It is alternatively known as the Greater South East, the London metropolitan area or the Southeast metropolitan area...
. Property prices are notoriously high within the district, which is one of the most expensive in the UK.
St Albans has two official demonym
Demonym
A demonym , also referred to as a gentilic, is a name for a resident of a locality. A demonym is usually – though not always – derived from the name of the locality; thus, the demonym for the people of England is English, and the demonym for the people of Italy is Italian, yet, in english, the one...
s: Verulamian and Old Albanian. St Albans was a settlement of pre-Roman origin named Verlamion (or Verulam) by the Ancient British
Belgae
The Belgae were a group of tribes living in northern Gaul, on the west bank of the Rhine, in the 3rd century BC, and later also in Britain, and possibly even Ireland...
, Catuvellauni
Catuvellauni
The Catuvellauni were a tribe or state of south-eastern Britain before the Roman conquest.The fortunes of the Catuvellauni and their kings before the conquest can be traced through numismatic evidence and scattered references in classical histories. They are mentioned by Dio Cassius, who implies...
tribe. It became the first major town on the old Roman
Roman Britain
Roman Britain was the part of the island of Great Britain controlled by the Roman Empire from AD 43 until ca. AD 410.The Romans referred to the imperial province as Britannia, which eventually comprised all of the island of Great Britain south of the fluid frontier with Caledonia...
road of Watling Street
Watling Street
Watling Street is the name given to an ancient trackway in England and Wales that was first used by the Britons mainly between the modern cities of Canterbury and St Albans. The Romans later paved the route, part of which is identified on the Antonine Itinerary as Iter III: "Item a Londinio ad...
for travellers heading north and became the Roman city of Verulamium
Verulamium
Verulamium was an ancient town in Roman Britain. It was sited in the southwest of the modern city of St Albans in Hertfordshire, Great Britain. A large portion of the Roman city remains unexcavated, being now park and agricultural land, though much has been built upon...
.
Saint Alban
Saint Alban
Saint Alban was the first British Christian martyr. Along with his fellow saints Julius and Aaron, Alban is one of three martyrs remembered from Roman Britain. Alban is listed in the Church of England calendar for 22 June and he continues to be venerated in the Anglican, Catholic, and Orthodox...
, the first British Christian martyr, was beheaded in AD 308 by Maximian
Maximian
Maximian was Roman Emperor from 286 to 305. He was Caesar from 285 to 286, then Augustus from 286 to 305. He shared the latter title with his co-emperor and superior, Diocletian, whose political brain complemented Maximian's military brawn. Maximian established his residence at Trier but spent...
at the orders of Emperor Diocletian
Diocletian
Diocletian |latinized]] upon his accession to Diocletian . c. 22 December 244 – 3 December 311), was a Roman Emperor from 284 to 305....
, who denounced the Christian faith and had ordered the deaths of all subjects and allies of the Roman Empire who refused to give up the faith. Saint Alban consequently gave the town its modern name.
History
Catuvellauni
The Catuvellauni were a tribe or state of south-eastern Britain before the Roman conquest.The fortunes of the Catuvellauni and their kings before the conquest can be traced through numismatic evidence and scattered references in classical histories. They are mentioned by Dio Cassius, who implies...
tribe had a settlement at Prae Hill a mile or so to the west. The Roman city of Verulamium
Verulamium
Verulamium was an ancient town in Roman Britain. It was sited in the southwest of the modern city of St Albans in Hertfordshire, Great Britain. A large portion of the Roman city remains unexcavated, being now park and agricultural land, though much has been built upon...
, second-largest town in Roman Britain after Londinium
Londinium
The city of London was established by the Romans around AD 43. It served as a major imperial commercial centre until its abandonment during the 5th century.-Origins and language:...
, was built alongside this in the valley of the River Ver
River Ver
The Ver is a river in Hertfordshire, England. The river begins in the grounds of Markyate Cell, and flows south for 12 miles alongside Watling Street through Flamstead, Redbourn, St Albans and Park Street, and joins the River Colne at Bricket Wood....
a little nearer to the present city centre.
After the Roman withdrawal, and prior to becoming known as St Albans, the town was called Verlamchester or Wæclingacaester by the Mercian Angles
Mercia
Mercia was one of the kingdoms of the Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy. It was centred on the valley of the River Trent and its tributaries in the region now known as the English Midlands...
.
The mediaeval town grew up on the hill to the east of this around the Benedictine
Benedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
foundation of St Albans Abbey. This is the spot where tradition has it that St Alban
Saint Alban
Saint Alban was the first British Christian martyr. Along with his fellow saints Julius and Aaron, Alban is one of three martyrs remembered from Roman Britain. Alban is listed in the Church of England calendar for 22 June and he continues to be venerated in the Anglican, Catholic, and Orthodox...
, the first British Christian
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
martyr, was beheaded sometime before AD 324. It was, at one time, the principal abbey
Abbey
An abbey is a Catholic monastery or convent, under the authority of an Abbot or an Abbess, who serves as the spiritual father or mother of the community.The term can also refer to an establishment which has long ceased to function as an abbey,...
in England and the first draft of Magna Carta
Magna Carta
Magna Carta is an English charter, originally issued in the year 1215 and reissued later in the 13th century in modified versions, which included the most direct challenges to the monarch's authority to date. The charter first passed into law in 1225...
was drawn up there, reflecting its political importance. The Abbey Church, now St Albans Cathedral
St Albans Cathedral
St Albans Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral church at St Albans, England. At , its nave is the longest of any cathedral in England...
(formally the Cathedral & Abbey Church of St Alban but still known locally as The Abbey) became the parish church when it was bought by the local people in 1553, soon after the priory was dissolved
Dissolution of the Monasteries
The Dissolution of the Monasteries, sometimes referred to as the Suppression of the Monasteries, was the set of administrative and legal processes between 1536 and 1541 by which Henry VIII disbanded monasteries, priories, convents and friaries in England, Wales and Ireland; appropriated their...
in 1539. It was made a cathedral in 1877 when the City Charter was granted. There is evidence that the original site was somewhat higher up the hill than the present building and there had certainly been successive abbeys before the current building was started in 1077.
St Albans School
St Albans School (Hertfordshire)
St Albans School is an independent school in the city of St Albans in Hertfordshire, in the East of England. Entry before Sixth Form is for boys only, and co-educational thereafter. Founded in 948 by Wulsin , St Albans School is not only the oldest school in Hertfordshire but also one of the oldest...
, a public school
Public School (UK)
A public school, in common British usage, is a school that is neither administered nor financed by the state or from taxpayer contributions, and is instead funded by a combination of endowments, tuition fees and charitable contributions, usually existing as a non profit-making charitable trust...
which occupies a site to the west of the Abbey and which includes the 14th century Abbey Gateway
Abbey Gateway, St. Albans
The Abbey Gateway, St. Albans was built in 1365 and is the last remaining building of the Benedictine Monastery at St. Albans, Hertfordshire....
, was founded in AD 948 and is the only school in the English-speaking world to have educated a Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
(Adrian IV
Pope Adrian IV
Pope Adrian IV , born Nicholas Breakspear or Breakspeare, was Pope from 1154 to 1159.Adrian IV is the only Englishman who has occupied the papal chair...
). It numbered amongst its buildings until comparatively recently a converted former hat factory, a link with the city's industrial past. Nearby Luton
Luton
Luton is a large town and unitary authority of Bedfordshire, England, 30 miles north of London. Luton and its near neighbours, Dunstable and Houghton Regis, form the Luton/Dunstable Urban Area with a population of about 250,000....
was also a notable centre for the hat making industry.
The road between the Abbey and the school, running down to the River Ver
River Ver
The Ver is a river in Hertfordshire, England. The river begins in the grounds of Markyate Cell, and flows south for 12 miles alongside Watling Street through Flamstead, Redbourn, St Albans and Park Street, and joins the River Colne at Bricket Wood....
and Verulamium Park
Verulamium Park
is a park in St Albans, Hertfordshire. Set in over of beautiful parkland, was purchased from the Earl of Verulam in 1929 by the then City Corporation. Today the park is ownered and operated by...
(on part of the site of Roman Verulamium), is called Abbey Mill Lane. On this road are the palaces of the Bishops of St Albans
Bishop of St Albans
The Bishop of St Albans is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of St Albans in the Province of Canterbury. The bishop is supported in his work by two suffragan bishops, the Bishop of Hertford and the Bishop of Bedford, and three archdeacons....
and Hertford
Bishop of Hertford
The Bishop of Hertford is an episcopal title used by a suffragan bishop of the Church of England Diocese of St Albans, in the Province of Canterbury, England. The title takes its name after Hertford, the county town of Hertfordshire...
. The Fighting Cocks
Ye Olde Fighting Cocks
Ye Olde Fighting Cocks is a public house in St Albans, Hertfordshire, which is one of several that lay claim to being the oldest in England. It currently holds the official Guinness Book of Records title, but Ye Olde Man & Scythe in Bolton, Greater Manchester has claimed it is older by some 234 years...
, one of the oldest public houses in England, is at the Verulamium Park end of this road. Also on the River Ver, at the St Michael's Village end of the park, is Kingsbury Watermill
Kingsbury Watermill
Kingsbury Watermill Museum is a historic watermill, now a museum, in the city of St Albans, Hertfordshire, England.The watermill dates from the 16th century and has been restored. He still has working machinery. There is also a farm implements collection, an art gallery, and a gift shop...
, which is now maintained as a museum with a waffle house attached.
Two battles of the Wars of the Roses
Wars of the Roses
The Wars of the Roses were a series of dynastic civil wars for the throne of England fought between supporters of two rival branches of the royal House of Plantagenet: the houses of Lancaster and York...
took place in or near the town. The First Battle of St Albans
First Battle of St Albans
The First Battle of St Albans, fought on 22 May 1455 at St Albans, 22 miles north of London, traditionally marks the beginning of the Wars of the Roses. Richard, Duke of York and his ally, Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, defeated the Lancastrians under Edmund, Duke of Somerset, who was killed...
was fought on 22 May 1455 within the town of St Albans itself, and the Second Battle of St Albans
Second Battle of St Albans
The Second Battle of St Albans was a battle of the English Wars of the Roses fought on 17 February, 1461, at St Albans. The army of the Yorkist faction under the Earl of Warwick attempted to bar the road to London north of the town. The rival Lancastrian army used a wide outflanking manoeuvre to...
was fought on 17 February 1461, just to the north.
The growth of St Albans was generally slow before the 20th century, reflecting its status as a rural
Rural
Rural areas or the country or countryside are areas that are not urbanized, though when large areas are described, country towns and smaller cities will be included. They have a low population density, and typically much of the land is devoted to agriculture...
market town
Market town
Market town or market right is a legal term, originating in the medieval period, for a European settlement that has the right to host markets, distinguishing it from a village and city...
, a Christian pilgrimage
Christian pilgrimage
Christian pilgrimage was first made to sites connected with the ministry of Jesus. Surviving descriptions of Christian pilgrimages to the Holy Land and Jerusalem date from the 4th century, when pilgrimage was encouraged by church fathers like Saint Jerome and established by Helena, the mother of...
site, and the first coaching stop of the route to and from London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
- a fact which also accounts for its numerous inns, many dating from Tudor
Tudor period
The Tudor period usually refers to the period between 1485 and 1603, specifically in relation to the history of England. This coincides with the rule of the Tudor dynasty in England whose first monarch was Henry VII...
times. In the inter-war years it became a popular centre for the electronics
Electronics
Electronics is the branch of science, engineering and technology that deals with electrical circuits involving active electrical components such as vacuum tubes, transistors, diodes and integrated circuits, and associated passive interconnection technologies...
industry. In the post-World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
years it was expanded significantly as part of the post-War redistribution of population out of Greater London
Greater London
Greater London is the top-level administrative division of England covering London. It was created in 1965 and spans the City of London, including Middle Temple and Inner Temple, and the 32 London boroughs. This territory is coterminate with the London Government Office Region and the London...
that also saw the creation of new town
New town
A new town is a specific type of a planned community, or planned city, that was carefully planned from its inception and is typically constructed in a previously undeveloped area. This contrasts with settlements that evolve in a more ad hoc fashion. Land use conflicts are uncommon in new...
s.
The city today shows evidence of building and excavation from all periods of its history and is a tourist destination. Notable buildings include the Abbey and the early 15th century Clock Tower (pictured). The clock tower is one of only two similar towers in England; it is also the site of an Eleanor cross
Eleanor cross
The Eleanor crosses were twelve originally wooden, but later lavishly decorated stone, monuments of which three survive intact in a line down part of the east of England. King Edward I had the crosses erected between 1291 and 1294 in memory of his wife Eleanor of Castile, marking the nightly...
, which was pulled down in 1703, it had suffered years of neglect, and had been struck and badly damaged by a carriage, it was replaced by the town pump. A fountain was erected in its place in 1874, now relocated to Victoria Place.
Running into St Albans from the south is Holywell Hill (generally pronounced "holly-well hill"), its name taken from the story of St Alban: legend has it that the Romans were looking for a traitor that had been injured and Alban found the traitor and helped him to recover, but soon after he had recovered and left the Romans found out that he had helped the traitor to escape and beheaded him, his severed head rolled down the hill from the execution site and into a well at the bottom of Hollywell Hill.
The mixed character of St Albans and proximity to London has made it a popular filming location. The Abbey and Fishpool Street areas were used for the pilot episode of the 1960s' ecclesiastical TV comedy All Gas and Gaiters
All Gas and Gaiters
All Gas and Gaiters was a British television ecclesiastical sitcom which aired on BBC1 from 1966 to 1971. It was written by Pauline Devaney and Edwin Apps, a husband-and-wife team who used the pseudonym of "John Wraith" when writing the pilot...
. The area of Romeland, directly north of the Abbey Gateway and the walls of the Abbey and school grounds, can be seen masquerading as part of an Oxford college in some episodes of Inspector Morse
Inspector Morse (TV series)
Inspector Morse is a detective drama based on Colin Dexter's series of Chief Inspector Morse novels. The series starred John Thaw as Chief Inspector Morse and Kevin Whately as Sergeant Lewis. Dexter makes a cameo appearance in all but three of the episodes....
(and several local pubs also appear). Fishpool Street, running from Romeland to St Michael's village, stood in for Hastings
Hastings
Hastings is a town and borough in the county of East Sussex on the south coast of England. The town is located east of the county town of Lewes and south east of London, and has an estimated population of 86,900....
in some episodes of Foyle's War
Foyle's War
Foyle's War is a British detective drama television series set during World War II, created by screenwriter and author Anthony Horowitz, and was commissioned by ITV after the long-running series Inspector Morse came to an end in 2000. It has aired on ITV since 2002...
. Life Begins
Life Begins
Life Begins is a British television drama first broadcast on ITV between February 2004 and October 2006, starring Caroline Quentin and Alexander Armstrong, Anne Reid and Frank Finlay.-History:...
was filmed largely in and around St Albans. The Lady Chapel in the Abbey itself was used as a location for at least one scene in Sean Connery
Sean Connery
Sir Thomas Sean Connery , better known as Sean Connery, is a Scottish actor and producer who has won an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards and three Golden Globes Sir Thomas Sean Connery (born 25 August 1930), better known as Sean Connery, is a Scottish actor and producer who has won an Academy...
's 1995 film First Knight
First Knight
First Knight is a 1995 American medieval film based on Arthurian legend, directed by Jerry Zucker. It stars Richard Gere as Lancelot, Julia Ormond as Guinevere, Sean Connery as King Arthur and Ben Cross as Malagant....
, whilst the nave of the Abbey was used during a coronation scene as a substitute for Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
in Johnny English
Johnny English
Johnny English is a 2003 British action comedy film parodying the James Bond secret agent genre. The film stars Rowan Atkinson as the incompetent titular English spy, with John Malkovich, Natalie Imbruglia, Tim Pigott-Smith and Ben Miller in supporting roles...
starring Rowan Atkinson
Rowan Atkinson
Rowan Sebastian Atkinson is a British actor, comedian, and screenwriter. He is most famous for his work on the satirical sketch comedy show Not The Nine O'Clock News, and the sitcoms Blackadder, Mr. Bean and The Thin Blue Line...
. The 19th century gatehouse of the former prison near the mainline station appeared in the title sequence of the TV series Porridge
Porridge (TV series)
Porridge is a British situation comedy broadcast on BBC1 from 1974 to 1977, running for three series, two Christmas specials and a feature film. Written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, it stars Ronnie Barker and Richard Beckinsale as two inmates at the fictional HMP Slade in Cumberland...
, starring Ronnie Barker
Ronnie Barker
Ronald William George "Ronnie" Barker, OBE was a British actor, comedian, writer, critic, broadcaster and businessman...
. The 2001 film Birthday Girl
Birthday Girl
Birthday Girl is a 2001 British-American drama and crime film directed by Jez Butterworth. The plot focuses on English bank clerk John Buckingham who orders a Russian mail-order bride, Nadia. It becomes clear upon her arrival that Nadia cannot speak English, and early into her stay, two mysterious...
starring Ben Chaplin
Ben Chaplin
Ben Chaplin , is an English actor.-Early life:Chaplin, the youngest of four children, was born in London, the son of Cynthia , a drama teacher, and Peter Greenwood, an engineer. He took his stage name after his mother's maiden name. He was raised in Windsor, Berkshire, England and attended Hurtwood...
and Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman
Nicole Mary Kidman, AC is an American-born Australian actress, singer, film producer, spokesmodel, and humanitarian. After starring in a number of small Australian films and TV shows, Kidman's breakthrough was in the 1989 thriller Dead Calm...
was also partly filmed in St Albans.
More recently, several scenes from the film Incendiary
Incendiary (film)
Incendiary is a 2008 British drama film portraying the aftermath of a terrorist attack at a football match. It is directed by Sharon Maguire and stars Michelle Williams, Ewan McGregor, and Matthew Macfadyen. It is about an adulterous woman's life that is torn apart when her husband and...
, starring Michelle Williams
Michelle Williams (actress)
Michelle Ingrid Williams is an American actress. After starting her career with television guest appearances in the early 1990s, Williams achieved recognition for her role as Jen Lindley on the WB television teen drama Dawson's Creek, which she played from 1998 to 2003...
, Ewan McGregor
Ewan McGregor
Ewan Gordon McGregor is a Scottish actor. He has had success in mainstream, indie, and art house films. McGregor is perhaps best known for his roles as heroin addict Mark Renton in the drama Trainspotting , young Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequel trilogy , and poet Christian in the...
and Matthew Macfadyen
Matthew Macfadyen
David Matthew Macfadyen is an English actor, known for his role as MI5 intelligence officer Tom Quinn in the BBC television drama series Spooks and for starring as Fitzwilliam Darcy in Pride and Prejudice.In June, 2010 Macfadyen won a British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting...
, were filmed in St Albans, focusing in particular on the Abbey and the Abbey Gateway. It is also home to popular stage school: Top Hat Stage & Screen School.
Climate
St Albans experiences an oceanic climateOceanic climate
An oceanic climate, also called marine west coast climate, maritime climate, Cascadian climate and British climate for Köppen climate classification Cfb and subtropical highland for Köppen Cfb or Cwb, is a type of climate typically found along the west coasts at the middle latitudes of some of the...
(Köppen climate classification
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
Cfb) similar to almost all of the United Kingdom.
Twinning
St Albans is twinnedTown twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
with: Fano
Fano
Fano is a town and comune of the province of Pesaro and Urbino in the Marche region of Italy. It is a beach resort 12 km southeast of Pesaro, located where the Via Flaminia reaches the Adriatic Sea...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
Nyíregyháza
Nyíregyháza
- Tourist sights :Nyíregyháza also has several museums and exhibitions, showing the city's rich cultural heritage.* Collection of the International Medallion Art and Small Sculpture Creative Community of Nyíregyháza-Sóstó – periodic exhibitions of works of contemporary artists-Twin towns — Sister...
, Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
Nevers
Nevers
Nevers is a commune in – and the administrative capital of – the Nièvre department in the Bourgogne region in central France...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
Odense
Odense
The city of Odense is the third largest city in Denmark.Odense City has a population of 167,615 and is the main city of the island of Funen...
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
Worms, Germany
Worms, Germany
Worms is a city in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, on the Rhine River. At the end of 2004, it had 85,829 inhabitants.Established by the Celts, who called it Borbetomagus, Worms today remains embattled with the cities Trier and Cologne over the title of "Oldest City in Germany." Worms is the only...
Nieuwleusen
Nieuwleusen
Nieuwleusen is a town in the Dutch province of Overijssel with 5,913 inhabitants as of 1 January 2007. At the 2001 municipal reform, most of the former municipality of Nieuwleusen was incorporated into the municipality of Dalfsen...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
Sylhet
Sylhet
Sylhet , is a major city in north-eastern Bangladesh. It is the main city of Sylhet Division and Sylhet District, and was granted metropolitan city status in March 2009. Sylhet is located on the banks of the Surma Valley and is surrounded by the Jaintia, Khasi and Tripura hills...
, Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
In addition, there are friendship links with: HMS St Albans (F83)
HMS St Albans (F83)
HMS St Albans is a Type 23 frigate of the Royal Navy. She is the sixth ship to bear the name and is the sixteenth and final ship in the 'Duke' class of frigates. She is based in Portsmouth.- Operational history :...
Culture
St Albans has a thriving cultural life, with regular concerts and theatre productions held at venues including St Albans Abbey, Maltings Arts Theatre, the Alban ArenaAlban Arena
Alban Arena is a theatre and music venue in the historic centre of St Albans, UK.This place is the centre of culture in St Albans from the 1970s until today...
, the Abbey Theatre, St Peter's Church and St Saviour's Church, given by numerous organisations including St Albans Bach Choir, St Albans Cathedral Choir
St Albans Cathedral Choir
St. Albans Cathedral Choir is an English Cathedral Choir based in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England. It is made up of around 25 boy choristers aged 7–14 and 12 adult Lay Clerks...
, St Albans Abbey Girl's Choir, St Albans Symphony Orchestra, St Albans Chamber Choir, St Albans Chamber Opera, The Company of Ten, St Albans Choral Society, and St Albans Organ Theatre. In addition, STARTS is a registered charity dedicated to raising the profile of all the arts in St Albans and enriching the city’s cultural environment. The Sandpit Theatre is a theatre attached to Sandringham School which hosts a wide variety of plays throughout the year, mainly performances put on by the pupils of Sandringham School. The school also hosts Best Theatre Arts, a part-time theatre school for children aged 4 to 16.
The St Albans Museum service runs two museums: Verulamium Museum, which tells the story of everyday life in Roman Britain using objects from the excavations of the important Roman Town; and the Museum of St Albans
Museum of St Albans
The Museum of St Albans is a local museum in the city of St Albans, Hertfordshire, England.The museum was founded as the Hertfordshire County Museum in 1898. The museum presents the history of St Albans from the end of the Romans onwards...
, which focuses on the history of the town and of Saint Alban.
Sport
In December 2007, Sport EnglandSport England
Sport England is the brand name for the English Sports Council and is a non-departmental public body under the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
published a survey which revealed that residents of St Albans were the 10th most active in England in sports and other fitness activities. 30.8% of the population participate at least 3 times a week for 90 minutes.
St Albans is home to one of the country's oldest and finest indoor skateparks, the Pioneer Skatepark in Heathlands Drive, next to the former fire station. Its ramps are available to all skateboarders
Skateboarding
Skateboarding is an action sport which involves riding and performing tricks using a skateboard.Skateboarding can be a recreational activity, an art form, a job, or a method of transportation. Skateboarding has been shaped and influenced by many skateboarders throughout the years. A 2002 report...
and inliners
Inline skates
In-line skates are a type of roller skate used for inline skating. Unlike quad skates, which have two front and two rear wheels, inline skates have two, three, four, or five wheels arranged in a single line...
. A new outside mini ramp was built in March 2005. A second outdoor mini ramp was opened at Easter 2009.
The local football team is St Albans City F.C.
St Albans City F.C.
St Albans City Football Club is a football club based in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England. It was founded in 1908 and plays its home matches at Clarence Park, about 800 yards from the city centre. The club is in the Premier Division of the Southern League...
: its stadium is on the edge of Clarence Park and the team won promotion from the Conference South
Conference South
Conference South is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National...
League in 2005-06. It played in the Nationwide Conference
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
Division of the Football Conference
Football Conference
The Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, such as Luton Town, but most of them are semi-professional...
for the 2006-07 season, but finished at the bottom of the table and was relegated.
St Albans Centurions
St Albans Centurions
St Albans Centurions is a rugby league club based in St Albans, Hertfordshire.Founded in 1996, they first played in various local leagues and the Rugby League Conference, and then, from 2003 to 2006, in National League 3. From 2007 to date, they play in the Rugby League Conference South Premier...
rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
club have their ground at Toulmin Drive, St Albans. They play in the Rugby League Conference Premier South
Rugby League Conference
The Rugby League Conference , was a series of regionally based divisions of amateur rugby league teams spread throughout England, Scotland and Wales.The RLC was founded as the 10-team Southern Conference League in 1997, with teams from the southern midlands and the...
division. In 2007 and again in 2010 'The Cents', as they are known, became National Champions of the RLC Premier Divisions.
Old Albanian RFC is a rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
club that plays at the Old Albanian sports complex to the north of the city centre. Saracens A team and OA Saints Women's Rugby team also play here. This complex also hosts the main offices of the Aviva Premiership club Saracens
Saracens F.C.
Saracens are a professional rugby union team based in St. Albans, England – although they play their home games at Vicarage Road, in Watford. They are currently members of the Aviva Premiership, the top level of domestic rugby union in England...
(however, Saracens train in Hatfield
Hatfield, Hertfordshire
Hatfield is a town and civil parish in Hertfordshire, England in the borough of Welwyn Hatfield. It has a population of 29,616, and is of Saxon origin. Hatfield House, the home of the Marquess of Salisbury, is the nucleus of the old town...
and play home matches at in Watford
Vicarage Road
Vicarage Road, a stadium in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, is the home of the football club Watford and their tenants, the Saracens rugby union club. An all-seater stadium, its current capacity is 17,477.-History:...
).
St Albans RFC play at Boggymead Spring in Smallford, and
Verulam RFC (formerly Old Verulamians) play at Cotlandswick in London Colney
London Colney
London Colney is a village and civil parish in Hertfordshire, England. It is located to the north of London, at Junction 22 of the M25 motorway....
.
St Albans is also home to St Albans Hockey Club, based in Clarence Park
Clarence Park (St Albans)
Clarence Park is a park containing a multi-use stadium in St Albans, England. It is located close to St Albans City railway station.The park was laid out in early 1894, and comprises a municipal sports ground and a public park and pleasure ground...
. The club is represented at National league level by both women's and men's teams, as well as other local league competitions. The club's nickname is The Tangerines.
Clarence Park also plays host to St Albans Cricket Club. The club currently runs four Saturday sides, playing in the Saracens Hertfordshire Cricket League and also two Sunday sides in the Chess Valley Cricket League. In 2008 the club's 1st XI won the Hertfordshire League Title.
St Albans Gymnastics Club, founded in 2005, provides the St Albans area with fun and effectively structured recreational classes as well as a professionally managed competitive squad training programme.
St Albans is additionally home to a community of traceurs from around Hertfordshire.
St Albans was once home to the then most prestigious steeplechase
Steeplechase
Steeplechase may refer to:* Steeplechase, an event in horse racing* SteepleChase, a Danish jazz label* Steeplechase , a 1975 arcade game released by Atari...
in England. The Great St Albans chase attracted the best horses and riders from across Britain and Ireland in the 1830s and was held in such high esteem that when it clashed with the 1837 Grand National
1837 Grand National
The 1837 Grand Liverpool Steeplechase was the second of three unofficial annual precursors of a Handicap Steeple-chase, later to become known as the Grand National Steeplechase horse race which took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool on 4 March 1837 and attracted a field of four runners...
the top horses and riders chose to bypass Aintree
Aintree
Aintree is a village and civil parish in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, Merseyside. It lies between Walton and Maghull on the A59 road, about north of Liverpool city centre, in North West England....
. Without warning the race was discontinued in 1839 and was quickly forgotten.
Schools
State
- Beaumont SchoolBeaumont School (St Albans)Beaumont School is a state maintained mixed secondary school in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England. It was founded in 1938 and has become a school of over 1200 students, including 300 in the sixth form. It is situated to the east of St Albans in Hertfordshire and is within access of the city centre...
- Francis Bacon SchoolFrancis Bacon SchoolFrancis Bacon School is a mixed-sex state school located in St Albans in South Hertfordshire. It is named after Sir Francis Bacon, a famous resident of St Albans. It is a specialist school in Maths and Computing. There are currently seven years of education, years 7 to 11 and the two years of the...
- Loreto CollegeLoreto College, St.AlbansLoreto College is an 11–18 voluntary aided comprehensive Roman Catholic school for girls located near the centre of St Albans, Hertfordshire, which achieved Specialist Status in the Humanities in 2005....
(Roman Catholic, girls) - Marlborough SchoolMarlborough School (St Albans)Marlborough School is an secondary school in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England. It has specialist status as a Science College.The school has approximately 1200 students and 70 teachers. The school was founded in 1953 and was originally St Julian's School....
- Nicholas Breakspear SchoolNicholas Breakspear SchoolNicholas Breakspear Catholic School is situated on the rural fringe of St Albans, an old Roman city in Hertfordshire, England. As of 2009 there were 1100 students on its roll, including 181 in the sixth form....
(Roman Catholic) - Sandringham SchoolSandringham SchoolSandringham School is a secondary school in Marshalswick, St Albans, Hertfordshire. It was established in 1988 following a merger of two local schools, Marshalswick School and Wheathampstead School. It occupies the former Marshalswick site, adjacent to Wheatfields Infant and Junior schools...
- St Albans Girls' SchoolSt Albans Girls' SchoolFor schools of the same name, please see St. Albans SchoolSt Albans Girls' School, usually referred to as STAGS, is a girls secondary school in St Albans, Hertfordshire...
(girls 11-18, boys 16-18) - Townsend SchoolTownsend Church of England SchoolTownsend C of E School is a voluntary aided secondary school based in St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England. The students attending are aged between 11 and 18 years old....
(Church of England) - Verulam SchoolVerulam SchoolVerulam School is a state secondary school for boys in St Albans, Hertfordshire, UK. It was founded in 1938 and was originally named St Albans Boys' Modern School. The name was changed in the 1940s to St Albans Grammar School for Boys and subsequently, following its change of status to a...
(boys 11-18, girls 16-18)
Independent
- St Albans SchoolSt Albans School (Hertfordshire)St Albans School is an independent school in the city of St Albans in Hertfordshire, in the East of England. Entry before Sixth Form is for boys only, and co-educational thereafter. Founded in 948 by Wulsin , St Albans School is not only the oldest school in Hertfordshire but also one of the oldest...
(boys 11-18, girls 16-18) - St Albans High School for GirlsSt Albans High School for GirlsSt Albans High School is a private Church of England girls' day school founded in 1889 for girls aged 4 to 18, located in the city of St Albans, Hertfordshire with a primary school in the nearby village of Wheathampstead. It provides girls with good quality educational provision in all sections of...
(Church of England, girls) - St Columba's CollegeSt Columba's College, St AlbansSt Columba's College is a British fee-paying independent school for boys aged 4-19. The college, founded in 1939 by Philip O’Neill and acquired in 1955 by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, is Roman Catholic, and a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference of leading independent...
(Roman Catholic, boys)
The primary schools in the area are:
Free
- Alban City School (Free School)
State
- Abbey C of E Voluntary Aided Primary (Church of England)
- Aboyne Lodge
- Bernards Heath Infant
- Bernards Heath Junior
- Camp Primary and Nursery
- Cunningham Hill Infant
- Cunningham Hill Junior
- Fleetville Infant & Nursery
- Fleetville JM
- Garden Fields JMI
- KilligrewKilligrew-Family of, or descended from, Arwenack, Falmouth, Cornwall and Hanworth, Middlesex:* Anne Killigrew , the poet* Catherine Killigrew * Henry Killigrew , English diplomat* Henry Killigrew , playwright...
- Mandeville Primary (St Albans)
- MapleMapleAcer is a genus of trees or shrubs commonly known as maple.Maples are variously classified in a family of their own, the Aceraceae, or together with the Hippocastanaceae included in the family Sapindaceae. Modern classifications, including the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group system, favour inclusion in...
- Margaret Wix Primary
- St Adrian's RC Primary School & Nursery (Roman Catholic)
- St Alban & St Stephen Catholic Infant & Nursery (Roman Catholic)
- St Alban & St Stephen Catholic Junior (Roman Catholic)
- St Michael's C of E VA Primary (St Albans) (Church of England)
- St Peter's (St Albans)
- Windermere Primary
St Albans is the location of two campuses of Oaklands College
Oaklands College
Oaklands College is a Further education college in Hertfordshire, England in the United Kingdom.- Profile :Oaklands College is a large general Further Education College. It has campus sites in St Albans City, St Albans Smallford, Alban Park, Welwyn Garden City and a further training provision in...
and of a campus of the University of Hertfordshire
University of Hertfordshire
The University of Hertfordshire is a new university based largely in Hatfield, in the county of Hertfordshire, England, from which the university takes its name. It has more than 27,500 students, over 2500 staff, with a turnover of over £181m...
.
Notable people
- Kate AllanKate AllanKate Allan is British historical romance novelist.Allan was educated at the all-girls' Bedford High School and Repton School where she was a contemporary of actors Tom Chambers and Nicholas Burns. In 1997 she graduated from the University of York with a BA in history...
(b. 1975), author, lived in St Albans - Olivia AllisonOlivia AllisonOlivia Elizabeth N. Federici is a British synchronized swimmer.-Career:Her most notable achievements to date are winning two consecutive gold medals at the British Synchronized Swimming Championships in 2004 and 2005...
(b.1990), GB synchronised swimmer, attended St. Albans Girls' School. - Rod ArgentRod ArgentRod Argent is an English rock musician and a founding member of the 1960s English pop group The Zombies and the 1970s band Argent....
(b. 1945), musician and songwriter, The ZombiesThe ZombiesThe Zombies are an English rock band, formed in 1961 in St Albans and led by Rod Argent, on piano and keyboards, and vocalist Colin Blunstone. The group scored a UK and US hit in 1964 with "She's Not There"...
(Argent with Colin BlunstoneColin BlunstoneColin Blunstone is an English pop singer-songwriter, best known as a member of the pop group The Zombies, and for his participation on various albums with The Alan Parsons Project.-Biography:...
, Chris WhiteChris White (musician)Chris White was the bass guitarist and songwriter with the 60s British Invasion band The Zombies.Although born in Barnet, Hertfordshire, he was brought up in Markyate where his parents owned a village shop...
, Paul AtkinsonPaul Atkinson (guitarist)Paul Atkinson , born Paul Ashley Warren Atkinson, was a pop guitarist in the legendary pop/rock band The Zombies. Born in Cuffley, Hertfordshire, and educated at St Albans School, he later became an artists and repertoire executive, discovering and signing such bands as ABBA, Bruce Hornsby, Mr...
and Hugh Grundy) was formed while the members were at school in St Albans - Dean AustinDean AustinDean Austin is an English former footballer who played as a defender.He started his career at St Albans and went on to play for Southend United, Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace...
, former SpursTottenham Hotspur F.C.Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
footballer, lives in nearby Chiswell GreenChiswell GreenChiswell Green is an area, originally a village, in St Albans, Hertfordshire with a population of approximately 2,800, in the City and District of St Albans.It is situated 2 miles south of St Albans on the North Orbital Road, close to Junction 21A of the M25.... - Francis BaconFrancis BaconFrancis Bacon, 1st Viscount St Albans, KC was an English philosopher, statesman, scientist, lawyer, jurist, author and pioneer of the scientific method. He served both as Attorney General and Lord Chancellor of England...
(1561–1626), philosopher, scientist and statesman, lived at Old Gorhambury HouseOld Gorhambury HouseOld Gorhambury House located near St Albans, Hertfordshire, England is an Elizabethan mansion, built in 1563-8 by Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord Keeper, and visited a number of times by Queen Elizabeth....
. Bacon was also styled "Viscount St Albans" from 1618 - Nicholas Bacon (1509–1579), Lord Keeper of the Great Seal under Queen Elizabeth IElizabeth I of EnglandElizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
, built Old Gorhambury HouseOld Gorhambury HouseOld Gorhambury House located near St Albans, Hertfordshire, England is an Elizabethan mansion, built in 1563-8 by Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord Keeper, and visited a number of times by Queen Elizabeth.... - John BallJohn Ball (priest)John Ball was an English Lollard priest who took a prominent part in the Peasants' Revolt of 1381. In that year, Ball gave a sermon in which he asked the rhetorical question, "When Adam delved and Eve span, who was then the gentleman?".-Biography:Little is known of Ball's early years. He lived in...
(c. 1338-1381), Lollard priest, played prominent part in the English Peasants' RevoltPeasants' RevoltThe Peasants' Revolt, Wat Tyler's Rebellion, or the Great Rising of 1381 was one of a number of popular revolts in late medieval Europe and is a major event in the history of England. Tyler's Rebellion was not only the most extreme and widespread insurrection in English history but also the...
of 1381 - William Henry BellWilliam Henry BellWilliam Henry Bell, known largely by his initials, W H Bell , was an English composer, conductor and lecturer....
(1873–1946), musician, composerComposerA composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and first director of the South African College of MusicSouth African College of MusicThe South African College of Music, abbreviated as SACM, is a department of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Cape Town. It is located on the University's Lower Campus in Rondebosch, Cape Town.-Study opportunities:... - Steve BlinkhornSteve BlinkhornStephen F. Blinkhorn is a British occupational psychologist and psychometrician , who continues to contribute to psychology and psychometric testing....
(b. 1949), occupational psychologist, has lived in St Albans for many years - Nicholas Breakspear (c.1100-1159), later Pope Adrian IVPope Adrian IVPope Adrian IV , born Nicholas Breakspear or Breakspeare, was Pope from 1154 to 1159.Adrian IV is the only Englishman who has occupied the papal chair...
, born in Abbots LangleyAbbots LangleyAbbots Langley is a large village and civil parish in the English county of Hertfordshire. It is an old settlement and is mentioned in the Domesday Book. Economically the village is closely linked to Watford and was formerly part of the Watford Rural District...
, attended school in St Albans - Cheryl CampbellCheryl CampbellCheryl Campbell is an English actor of stage, film and television.-Early years:Cheryl Campbell was educated at Francis Bacon Grammar School, St Albans; London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art...
(b. 1949), actor - Paul CattermolePaul CattermolePaul Gerald Cattermole , St Albans, Hertfordshire, England) is an English singer and actor. He was previously a member of S Club 7, and was the lead singer of the band Skua and latterly Charlie Bullitt until he left in October 2005....
(b. 1977), former member of S Club 7S Club 7S Club, formerly known as S Club 7, were a pop group created by former Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller, consisting of members Tina Barrett, Paul Cattermole, Jon Lee, Bradley McIntosh, de facto lead singer Jo O'Meara, Hannah Spearritt and Rachel Stevens. The group rose to fame by starring in their...
, was born in St Albans - Ralph ChubbRalph ChubbRalph Nicholas Chubb was an English poet, printer, and artist. Heavily influenced by Whitman, Blake, and the Romantics, his work was the creation of a highly intricate personal mythology, one that was anti-materialist and sexually revolutionary.-Life:Ralph Chubb was born in Harpenden, Hertfordshire...
(1892–1960), lithographer - Sarah Churchill, Duchess of MarlboroughSarah Churchill, Duchess of MarlboroughSarah Churchill , Duchess of Marlborough rose to be one of the most influential women in British history as a result of her close friendship with Queen Anne of Great Britain.Sarah's friendship and influence with Princess Anne was widely known, and leading public figures...
(1660–1744), wife of John Churchill, 1st Duke of MarlboroughJohn Churchill, 1st Duke of MarlboroughJohn Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, Prince of Mindelheim, KG, PC , was an English soldier and statesman whose career spanned the reigns of five monarchs through the late 17th and early 18th centuries...
and close friend of Queen AnneAnne of Great BritainAnne ascended the thrones of England, Scotland and Ireland on 8 March 1702. On 1 May 1707, under the Act of Union, two of her realms, England and Scotland, were united as a single sovereign state, the Kingdom of Great Britain.Anne's Catholic father, James II and VII, was deposed during the...
, was born in St Albans - Chris ClarkChris Clark (electronic musician)Chris Clark is an English electronic musician currently signed to Warp Records. With the 2006 release of Throttle Furniture, he shortened his artist name to Clark. Throttle Furniture and Body Riddle were both three years in the making, during which time Clark refined his sound considerably...
, electronic musician, attended school in St Albans - Steve CollinsSteve CollinsStephen Collins, more commonly known as Steve Collins, is a former professional boxer. Known as the "The Celtic Warrior", Collins is the former WBO middleweight and super middleweight champion....
(b. 1964), former boxer - Don Cowie (b.1983) Watford FC footballer, lives in Napsbury ParkNapsbury ParkNapsbury Park is a village in Hertfordshire, England. It is located to the north of London, at Junction 22 of the M25 motorway.It is near St Albans and part of the St Albans District. It falls within the London Colney Parish Council area. It is considered a satellite or dormitory village of St...
just outside St Albans - William Cowper, 1st Earl CowperWilliam Cowper, 1st Earl CowperWilliam Cowper, 1st Earl Cowper PC KC FRS was an English politician who became the first Lord Chancellor of Great Britain. Cowper was the son of Sir William Cowper, 2nd Baronet, of Ratling Court, Kent, a Whig member of parliament of some mark in the two last Stuart reigns...
(c. 1665-1723), Lord Chancellor of England - Stacey DooleyStacey DooleyStacey Dooley is a British television personality who rose to fame in 2009 after appearing in a number of BBC Three documentaries highlighting child labour issues in developing countries.-Career and background:...
(b.1987), television presenter, lives in St Albans - Enter ShikariEnter ShikariEnter Shikari are a British band, that combine post-hardcore with elements of various electronic genres, formed in 2003 in St Albans, Hertfordshire. The band is named after a boat belonging to Roughton "Rou" Reynolds' uncle, and a character in a play which he wrote before forming the band, both of...
, post-hardcorePost-hardcorePost-hardcore is a genre of music that developed from hardcore punk, itself an offshoot of the broader punk rock movement. Like post-punk, post-hardcore is a term for a broad constellation of groups...
band, all members born and raised in St Albans - David EssexDavid EssexDavid Essex OBE is an English musician, singer-songwriter and actor. Since the 1970s, Essex has attained nineteen Top 40 singles in the UK , and sixteen Top 40 albums...
(b. 1947), singer, lives in St Albans - Siobhan FaheySiobhan FaheySiobhan Fahey is an Irish musician and founding member of the 1980s British girl group Bananarama, and later formed the BRIT Award and Ivor Novello award winning musical outfit Shakespears Sister.-Career:Fahey was born the eldest of three daughters to Helen and...
(b. 1957), singer from BananaramaBananaramaBananarama are an English female pop duo who have had success on the pop and dance charts since 1982. Rather than relying on a two part harmony, the duo generally sings in unison, as do their background vocalists. Although there have been line-up changes, the group enjoyed their most popular...
and Shakespear's Sister, attended Loreto College - Les FerdinandLes FerdinandLeslie "Les" Ferdinand MBE is a former English footballer. His playing career included spells at Queens Park Rangers, Besiktas J.K., Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Bolton Wanderers F.C., during which period he earned a number of appearances for England...
(b. 1966), England footballer, lives in nearby Bricket WoodBricket WoodBricket Wood is a village in the county of Hertfordshire, England, approximately 4½ miles from St Albans. It is part of the parish of St Stephen. Its railway station is served by a London Midland service that runs between St Albans Abbey and Watford Junction stations.Close to the village stands... - Friendly FiresFriendly FiresFriendly Fires are an English band from St Albans, Hertfordshire, England. They are currently signed to XL Recordings. Their self-titled debut album was released on 1 September 2008 and was announced as one of the shortlisted twelve for the 2009 Mercury Prize on 21 July 2009.-History:Friendly Fires...
, indie pop band from St Albans - Nigel GibbsNigel GibbsNigel James Gibbs , is a former English footballer. A Watford supporter, as well as a product of their youth system, Gibbs spent his entire professional career as a right back for the club. He was voted Watford F.C. Player of the Season in 1992, and later captained them...
(b. 1965), former WatfordWatford F.C.Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
, footballer was born in St Albans - John GoslingJohn Goslingnot to be confused with John Gostling John Gosling , is an English classically trained organist and pianist....
(b. 1948), former member of The KinksThe KinksThe Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...
, now teaches music at a school in St Albans - Russell GreenRussell Green (cricketer)Russell Christopher Green is a former English cricketer. Green was a right-handed batsman who bowled right-arm fast-medium. He was born in St Albans, Hertfordshire....
(b. 1959), cricketer - Edmund Beckett, 1st Baron GrimthorpeEdmund Beckett, 1st Baron GrimthorpeEdmund Beckett, 1st Baron Grimthorpe, Q.C. , known previously as Sir Edmund Beckett, 5th Baronet and Edmund Beckett Denison was a lawyer, horologist, and architect...
(Lord Grimthorpe) (1816–1905), lawyerLawyerA lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
, amateur horologistHorologyHorology is the art or science of measuring time. Clocks, watches, clockwork, sundials, clepsydras, timers, time recorders and marine chronometers are all examples of instruments used to measure time.People interested in horology are called horologists...
, and architectArchitectAn architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
; best-known locally for rebuilding the west front of St Albans CathedralSt Albans CathedralSt Albans Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral church at St Albans, England. At , its nave is the longest of any cathedral in England...
in 1880-1885 at his own expense, but also designed Big BenClock Tower, Palace of WestminsterBig Ben is the nickname for the great bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London, and is generally extended to refer to the clock or the clock tower as well. It is the largest four-faced chiming clock and the third-tallest free-standing clock tower in the world...
. Lived at Batchwood Hall - Willis HallWillis HallWillis Hall was an English playwright and radio and television writer who drew on his working class roots in Leeds for much of his writings....
(1929–2005), playwright and TV scriptwriter, lived in St Albans for many years and was for a while president of St Albans City F.C.St Albans City F.C.St Albans City Football Club is a football club based in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England. It was founded in 1908 and plays its home matches at Clarence Park, about 800 yards from the city centre. The club is in the Premier Division of the Southern League... - Tommy Hampson (1907–1965), athlete, olympic gold medal winner and world record holder, taught at St Albans School
- Tim HartTim HartTim Hart was an English folk singer and multi-instrumentalist, best known as a founding member of electric folk band, Steeleye Span.-Early years:...
(1948–2009), musician and former guitarist in Steeleye SpanSteeleye SpanSteeleye Span are an English folk-rock band, formed in 1969 and remaining active today. Along with Fairport Convention they are amongst the best known acts of the British folk revival, and were among the most commercially successful, thanks to their hit singles "Gaudete" and "All Around My Hat"....
, lived in St Albans and attended St Albans School - John HartsonJohn HartsonJohn Hartson is a former Welsh international footballer who played as a striker, best known for his spells with West Ham and Celtic. Hartson also featured prominently for Wales, earning 51 caps until his international retirement in 2006...
(b. 1975), footballer, used to live in St Albans - Stephen HawkingStephen HawkingStephen William Hawking, CH, CBE, FRS, FRSA is an English theoretical physicist and cosmologist, whose scientific books and public appearances have made him an academic celebrity...
(b. 1942), theoretical physicist, educated at St Albans SchoolSt Albans School (Hertfordshire)St Albans School is an independent school in the city of St Albans in Hertfordshire, in the East of England. Entry before Sixth Form is for boys only, and co-educational thereafter. Founded in 948 by Wulsin , St Albans School is not only the oldest school in Hertfordshire but also one of the oldest... - Christopher HerbertChristopher HerbertChristopher William Herbert is the former Bishop of St Albans.He was born on 7 January 1944, in Lydney in the Forest of Dean. His father helped run the family road haulage business, but was also very proud of his roots as a foundryman in a local iron works....
(b. 1944), 9th Bishop of St AlbansBishop of St AlbansThe Bishop of St Albans is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of St Albans in the Province of Canterbury. The bishop is supported in his work by two suffragan bishops, the Bishop of Hertford and the Bishop of Bedford, and three archdeacons....
1995-2009 - Benny HillBenny HillBenny Hill was an English comedian and actor, notable for his long-running television programme The Benny Hill Show.-Early life:...
(1924–1992), TV comic, lived in St Albans - Jimmy HillJimmy HillJames William Thomas "Jimmy" Hill OBE is an English association football personality. His career has taken in virtually every role in football, including player, union leader, coach, manager, director, chairman, television executive, presenter, analyst and match official.-Early life:Hill was born...
(b. 1928), TV presenter and football personality, used to live in St Albans - Ian HollowayIan HollowayIan Scott Holloway is an English football manager and former player. He became the manager of Blackpool in May 2009. Holloway is well-known amongst football fans for his off-the-wall interviews, with a wide selection of quotes and soundbites being printed. Holloway's playing career spanned 18...
(b. 1963), Blackpool F.C manager, used to live in St Albans - Matthew HolnessMatthew HolnessMatthew Holness is an English comedian and actor from Whitstable in Kent. He attended Chaucer Technology School in Canterbury and read English at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where he was vice-president of the Cambridge Footlights...
, comedian, better known as Garth MarenghiGarth MarenghiGarth Marenghi is a fictional horror author and actor, created by English comedians Matthew Holness and Richard Ayoade, and played by Holness. To date, the character has appeared in two stage shows, the Perrier Award-nominated Garth Marenghi's Fright Knight and Perrier Award-winning Garth...
, lives in St Albans - Kurt JacksonKurt JacksonKurt Jackson is an English painter whose large canvases reflect a concern with natural history, ecology and environmental issues. Born in Blandford, Dorset, he developed an early interest in natural history and landscape. He studied zoology at St...
, artist, lived in St Albans and attended Francis Bacon SchoolFrancis Bacon SchoolFrancis Bacon School is a mixed-sex state school located in St Albans in South Hertfordshire. It is named after Sir Francis Bacon, a famous resident of St Albans. It is a specialist school in Maths and Computing. There are currently seven years of education, years 7 to 11 and the two years of the...
as a teenager - Jeffrey JohnJeffrey JohnJeffrey Philip Hywel John SCP is a Church of England priest and the current Dean of St Albans. He made headlines in 2003 when he was the first person to have openly been in a same-sex relationship to be nominated as a Church of England bishop...
(b. 1953), DeanDean (religion)A dean, in a church context, is a cleric holding certain positions of authority within a religious hierarchy. The title is used mainly in the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church.-Anglican Communion:...
of St Albans since 2004 - Minhyong KimMinhyong KimMinhyong Kim is a South Korean mathematician who specialises in arithmetical algebraic geometry. He received his PhD at Yale University in 1990 under the supervision of Serge Lang and Barry Mazur, going on to work in a number of universities, including M.I.T., Columbia, Arizona, Purdue, the Korea...
, mathematician, lives in St Albans - Stanley KubrickStanley KubrickStanley Kubrick was an American film director, writer, producer, and photographer who lived in England during most of the last four decades of his career...
(1928–1999), film auteur, resided in Childwickbury ManorChildwickbury ManorChildwick Bury Manor is a manor in Hertfordshire, England, between St Albans and Harpenden. Previous owners were the Lomax family who bought the house in 1666 and who lived there until 1854 when Joshua Lomax sold it to Henry Hayman Toulmin, a wealthy ship owner and High Sheriff of Hertfordshire and...
, from 1978 until his death - Adam LallanaAdam LallanaAdam David Lallana is an English footballer who currently plays as an attacking midfielder for Championship club Southampton. Born in St Albans, Lallana began his career with Southampton as a youth player in 2000...
(b. 1988), footballer, born in St Albans - Stephen LanderStephen LanderSir Stephen James Lander, KCB is a former chairman of the United Kingdom's Serious Organised Crime Agency , who also served as Director-General of the British Security Service from 1996 to 2002.-Career:...
(b. 1947), former head of MI5MI5The Security Service, commonly known as MI5 , is the United Kingdom's internal counter-intelligence and security agency and is part of its core intelligence machinery alongside the Secret Intelligence Service focused on foreign threats, Government Communications Headquarters and the Defence...
, has lived in St Albans for many years - Mark LawsonMark LawsonMark Gerard Lawson is an English journalist, broadcaster and author.-Life and career:Born in Hendon, London, Lawson was raised in Yorkshire and is a Leeds United fan. He was educated at St Columba's College in St Albans and took a degree in English at University College London, where his lecturers...
(b.1962), broadcaster and columnist for The GuardianThe GuardianThe Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
, attended St Columba's College - Christopher LewisChristopher Andrew LewisThe Very Reverend Christopher Andrew Lewis is Dean of Christ Church, Oxford.-Early life:The son of Admiral Sir Andrew Lewis, KCB and his wife Rachel Elizabeth , Lewis was educated at Marlborough College, in Wiltshire, the University of Bristol , Corpus Christi College, Cambridge , and Westcott...
(b. 1944), DeanDean (religion)A dean, in a church context, is a cleric holding certain positions of authority within a religious hierarchy. The title is used mainly in the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church.-Anglican Communion:...
of St Albans 1994-2003 - LowgoldLowgoldLowgold are an English indie rock band formed in 1997 in St Albans, comprising vocalist and rhythm guitarist Darren Ford, lead guitarist Dan Symons and bassist Miles Willey....
, indie band formed in St Albans. Two band members attended the University of HertfordshireUniversity of HertfordshireThe University of Hertfordshire is a new university based largely in Hatfield, in the county of Hertfordshire, England, from which the university takes its name. It has more than 27,500 students, over 2500 staff, with a turnover of over £181m...
in HatfieldHatfield, HertfordshireHatfield is a town and civil parish in Hertfordshire, England in the borough of Welwyn Hatfield. It has a population of 29,616, and is of Saxon origin. Hatfield House, the home of the Marquess of Salisbury, is the nucleus of the old town... - Philip MadocPhilip MadocPhilip Madoc is a Welsh actor who has had many television and film roles.One prominent role was the title character in the BBC Wales drama The Life and Times of David Lloyd George...
(b. 1934), actor, lives locally - John MandevilleJohn Mandeville"Jehan de Mandeville", translated as "Sir John Mandeville", is the name claimed by the compiler of The Travels of Sir John Mandeville, a book account of his supposed travels, written in Anglo-Norman French, and first circulated between 1357 and 1371.By aid of translations into many other languages...
(14th century), compiler of a singular book of supposed travels, reputedly born in St Albans - Rosie MarcelRosie MarcelRosie Marcel is an English actress best known for her role as Jac Naylor, consultant in Holby City.She is the daughter of television director Terry Marcel and sister of writer and actress Kelly Marcel.-Career:...
(b.1977), actor, Jac Naylor in BBC OneBBC OneBBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
's Holby CityHolby CityHolby City, stylised as Holby Ci+y, is a British medical drama television series that airs weekly on BBC One.The series was created by Tony McHale and Mal Young as a spin-off from the established BBC medical drama Casualty, and premiered on 12 January 1999...
, lives in St Albans - Nigel MarvenNigel MarvenNigel Marven is a British wildlife presenter, television producer, author, and ornithologist.-Career:Marven studied botany at Bristol University until the age of 22 when he left to begin his career at the BBC Natural History Unit in Bristol...
, television wildlife presenter, was bought up in St Albans and attended Francis Bacon SchoolFrancis Bacon SchoolFrancis Bacon School is a mixed-sex state school located in St Albans in South Hertfordshire. It is named after Sir Francis Bacon, a famous resident of St Albans. It is a specialist school in Maths and Computing. There are currently seven years of education, years 7 to 11 and the two years of the... - Arthur Melbourne-CooperArthur Melbourne-CooperArthur Melbourne-Cooper was a British film maker who witnessed the birth of the movies as an assistant/cameraman of Birt Acres who, in 1895, developed the first British 35 mm moving picture camera....
(1874–1961), pioneering film maker, born in St Albans - Peter MensahPeter MensahPeter Mensah , is an English/Ghanaian actor, best known for his roles in Tears of the Sun and 300, and more recently on the Starz original series, Spartacus: Blood and Sand and Spartacus: Gods of the Arena.-Early life:Mensah comes from an academic family...
(b.1959), actor, OenomausOenomaus (rebel slave)Oenomaus was a gladiator from Gaul, who escaped from the gladiatorial school of Lentulus Batiatus in Capua. Together with the Thracian Spartacus and a fellow Gaul, Crixus, he became one of the leaders of rebellious slaves during the Third Servile War , but died early in the war.Oenomaus was...
in the TV series SpartacusSpartacus: Blood and SandSpartacus: Blood and Sand is a Starz television series that premiered on January 22, 2010. The series is inspired by the historical figure of Spartacus , a Thracian gladiator who from 73 to 71 BC led a major slave uprising against the Roman Republic. Executive producers Steven S...
, grew up in St Albans - Michael MorpurgoMichael MorpurgoMichael Morpurgo, OBE FKC AKC is an English author, poet, playwright and librettist, best known for his work in children's literature. He was the third Children's Laureate.-Early life:...
(b. 1943), author, born in St Albans - Albert MosesAlbert MosesAlbert Moses is a British-based actor born near Kandy, Sri Lanka. He had begun to act by the 1960s in India where he appeared in several films, then produced and directed his first. From India, he moved to Africa where he undertook work on documentaries...
(b. 1937), actor, Mind Your LanguageMind Your LanguageMind Your Language is a British comedy television series, that premiered on ITV in late 1977. Produced by LWT and directed by Stuart Allen, it is set in an adult education college in London and focuses on the English as a Foreign Language class taught by Mr. Jeremy Brown, portrayed by Barry Evans,...
, producer and director, lives in St Albans - John MotsonJohn MotsonJohn Walker Motson OBE ,AKA Motty, is an English football commentator on both television and radio as well a well known moter. He made his name as 'Moty' after he moted out the entire Huddersfield huddersfield cheerleaders team. writer.-Biography:The son of a Methodist minister, Motson was educated...
(b. 1945), football commentator, lived in St Albans (now lives in HarpendenHarpendenHarpenden is a town in Hertfordshire, England.The town's total population is just under 30,000.-Geography and administration:There are two civil parishes: Harpenden and Harpenden Rural....
) - Herbert MundinHerbert MundinHerbert Mundin was an English-born Hollywood character actor. He was frequently typecast in films as an older cheeky eccentric, a type helped by his jowled features and cheerful disposition....
(1898–1939), character actor, lived in St Albans from a young age and educated at St Albans SchoolSt Albans School (Hertfordshire)St Albans School is an independent school in the city of St Albans in Hertfordshire, in the East of England. Entry before Sixth Form is for boys only, and co-educational thereafter. Founded in 948 by Wulsin , St Albans School is not only the oldest school in Hertfordshire but also one of the oldest... - Mike NewellMike Newell (director)Michael Cormac "Mike" Newell is an English director and producer of motion pictures for the screen and for television. After the release of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in 2005, Newell became the third most commercially successful British director in recent years, behind Christopher Nolan...
(b. 1942), film director, used to live in St Albans and attended St Albans SchoolSt Albans School (Hertfordshire)St Albans School is an independent school in the city of St Albans in Hertfordshire, in the East of England. Entry before Sixth Form is for boys only, and co-educational thereafter. Founded in 948 by Wulsin , St Albans School is not only the oldest school in Hertfordshire but also one of the oldest... - Ashley Davison (b. 1984), Former Drummer and founding member of Your DemiseYour DemiseYour Demise is a five-piece band from St Albans, Brighton and Salisbury in the United Kingdom. They began in 2003 and have shared stages and tours with Biohazard, Comeback Kid, Bury Your Dead, Enter Shikari, The Devil Wears Prada, Miss May I, Parkway Drive and A Day to Remember. On 22 September...
, inventor of iPod Hoodies - George NobleGeorge NobleGeorge Noble was an Australian plumber, gasfitter, politician and member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for 1 term from 1947 to 1949. He was a member of the Australian Labor Party.-Early life:...
{b. 1987}, Former Lead singer and founding member of Your DemiseYour DemiseYour Demise is a five-piece band from St Albans, Brighton and Salisbury in the United Kingdom. They began in 2003 and have shared stages and tours with Biohazard, Comeback Kid, Bury Your Dead, Enter Shikari, The Devil Wears Prada, Miss May I, Parkway Drive and A Day to Remember. On 22 September...
now a semi-professional Muay-Thai Boxer - Ardal O'HanlonArdal O'HanlonArdal O'Hanlon is an Irish comedian and actor, best known for his roles in television sitcoms as Father Dougal McGuire in Father Ted and George Sunday in My Hero.-Early life:...
(b.1965), Father TedFather TedFather Ted is a comedy series set in Ireland that was produced by Hat Trick Productions for British broadcaster Channel 4. Written jointly by Irish writers Arthur Mathews and Graham Linehan and starring a predominantly Irish cast, it originally aired over three series from 21 April 1995 until 1 May...
star and stand up comedian, lives in St Albans - Eleanor OrmerodEleanor Anne OrmerodEleanor Anne Ormerod was an English entomologist. She was a daughter of George Ormerod, F.R.S., author of The History of Cheshire, and was born at Sedbury Park, Gloucestershire. From early childhood insects were her interest and she had great opportunities to study them in the large estate where...
(1828–1901), entomologist, lived and died in St Albans - William PageWilliam Henry PageWilliam Henry Page was a prolific and pioneering historian and editor. For the last three decades of his life was general editor of the Victoria County History.-Life:...
(1861–1934), historian and editor, lived here 1896-1904 and took part in archaeological excavations in the city.
Dr *Ayan Panja
Ayan Panja
Dr Ayan Panja is a British media doctor, medical expert, television presenter and writer.He is a partner in a NHS GP town centre practice in St Albans...
(b. 1973), doctor and presenter of BBC series Street Doctor
Street Doctor
Street Doctor is a prime-time health series which was first shown in January 2007 on BBC One television.The format involves four GPs who take to the streets to diagnose, advise and treat people wherever they might be--at work or out and about...
and The Health Show
The Health Show
The Health Show is a groundbreaking series on global health made by Rockhopper TV for BBC World News. The presenters are Dr Ayan Panja and Dr Shini Somara...
, is based in St Albans
- Matthew ParisMatthew ParisMatthew Paris was a Benedictine monk, English chronicler, artist in illuminated manuscripts and cartographer, based at St Albans Abbey in Hertfordshire...
(c.1200-1259), BenedictineBenedictineBenedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
monk, chronicler of the history of St Albans AbbeySt Albans CathedralSt Albans Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral church at St Albans, England. At , its nave is the longest of any cathedral in England... - Rupert Parkes (b. 1972) a.k.a. PhotekPhotekPhotek is Rupert Parkes , a Los Angeles-based British record producer and DJ. He joined the drum and bass scene relatively early , and is still one of its most respected players...
, record producer and DJDisc jockeyA disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
, was born in St Albans - Julian PerrettaJulian PerrettaJulian Remo Perretta is an English singer-songwriter, best known for his song, "Wonder Why".-Personal life:Perretta was born in London to an Italian father and Irish mother. Perretta left school at 16 after gaining a scholarship for Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, which he left after a...
(b. 1989), singer-songwriter - Nick Pickford (b. 1990), basketball, born in St Albans, lived in Melbourne, Aus
- Allan PriorAllan PriorAllan Prior was an English television scriptwriter and novelist, who wrote over 300 television episodes from the 1950s onwards....
(1922–2006), TV scriptwriter, co-creator of Z Cars, and father of Maddy PriorMaddy PriorMaddy Prior is an English folk singer, best known as the lead vocalist of Steeleye Span.-Early life:...
(b. 1947), lived in St Albans (also where Maddy grew up) - Chris ReadChris ReadChristopher Mark Wells Read is an English cricketer, a wicket-keeper who is the captain of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club...
(b.1978), England cricketer, lives in St Albans - Tim RiceTim RiceSir Timothy Miles Bindon "Tim" Rice is an British lyricist and author.An Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Tony Award and Grammy Award-winning lyricist, Rice is best known for his collaborations with Andrew Lloyd Webber, with whom he wrote Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus...
(b. 1944), lyricist, attended St Albans SchoolSt Albans School (Hertfordshire)St Albans School is an independent school in the city of St Albans in Hertfordshire, in the East of England. Entry before Sixth Form is for boys only, and co-educational thereafter. Founded in 948 by Wulsin , St Albans School is not only the oldest school in Hertfordshire but also one of the oldest... - Ian RidleyIan RidleyIan Ridley was an Australian rules footballer who played for Melbourne in the VFL.Ridley was a rover who was handy around goals and a 5 time premiership player with Melbourne. He topped Melbourne's goalkicking in 1960 with 38 goals and went on to coach the club during the 1970s...
, football writer, lives in St Albans and is on the board of St Albans City F.C.St Albans City F.C.St Albans City Football Club is a football club based in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England. It was founded in 1908 and plays its home matches at Clarence Park, about 800 yards from the city centre. The club is in the Premier Division of the Southern League... - Luke RobertsLuke RobertsLuke Roberts is an Australian racing cyclist specialising in both track cycling and road bicycle racing, on for road racing....
, actor, Holby CityHolby CityHolby City, stylised as Holby Ci+y, is a British medical drama television series that airs weekly on BBC One.The series was created by Tony McHale and Mal Young as a spin-off from the established BBC medical drama Casualty, and premiered on 12 January 1999...
, lives in St Albans - Jim RodfordJim RodfordJim Rodford is a musician who played with The Kinks, The Swinging Blue Jeans and was a founding member of Argent...
(b. 1941), musician, member of ArgentArgent (band)Argent are an English rock band founded in 1969 by keyboardist Rod Argent, formerly of The Zombies.-Career:The first three demos from Argent, recorded in the autumn of 1968 featured Mac MacLeod on bass guitar though he was not meant to become a member of the group.Original members of the band were...
and The KinksThe KinksThe Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...
and cousin of Rod ArgentRod ArgentRod Argent is an English rock musician and a founding member of the 1960s English pop group The Zombies and the 1970s band Argent.... - James RuncieJames RuncieThe Hon. James Runcie is a British novelist, documentary film-maker, television producer, theatre director, and Artistic Director of the Bath Literature Festival.- Early life :...
, author and film maker, lives in St Albans - Robert RuncieRobert RuncieRobert Alexander Kennedy Runcie, Baron Runcie, PC, MC was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1980 to 1991.-Early life:...
(1921–2000), Bishop of St AlbansBishop of St AlbansThe Bishop of St Albans is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of St Albans in the Province of Canterbury. The bishop is supported in his work by two suffragan bishops, the Bishop of Hertford and the Bishop of Bedford, and three archdeacons....
1970-1980, later Archbishop of CanterburyArchbishop of CanterburyThe Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group...
1980-1991. Now buried in the grounds of St Albans CathedralSt Albans CathedralSt Albans Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral church at St Albans, England. At , its nave is the longest of any cathedral in England... - Samuel RyderSamuel RyderSamuel Ryder was an English businessman, entrepreneur, golf enthusiast, and golf promoter. He originated the idea of selling garden seeds in "penny packets" and built a very successful business on the concept...
(1858–1936), seed merchant, founder of the Ryder CupRyder CupThe Ryder Cup is a biennial golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States. The competition is jointly administered by the PGA of America and the PGA European Tour, and is contested every two years, the venue alternating between courses in the United States and Europe... - Saving AimeeSaving AimeeSaving Aimee were a British pop/rock band from Hertfordshire. The band toured extensively for four years, released three singles and an album. On 14 December 2009 the band went on an indefinite hiatus.-History:...
, a pop-rock band from St Albans - George Gilbert ScottGeorge Gilbert ScottSir George Gilbert Scott was an English architect of the Victorian Age, chiefly associated with the design, building and renovation of churches, cathedrals and workhouses...
(1811–1878), architect, restored St Albans AbbeySt Albans CathedralSt Albans Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral church at St Albans, England. At , its nave is the longest of any cathedral in England...
1856-1877 - Jonny Seabrook (b. 1973), Broadcaster on Radio Verulam. Presenter of The Radio Verulam Sunday Lunch. Resides in St Albans.
- John SessionsJohn SessionsJohn Gibb Marshall , better known by the stage name John Sessions, is a Scottish actor and comedian. He is known for comedy improvisation in television shows such as Whose Line Is It Anyway?; as a panellist on QI; and as a character actor in numerous films, both in the UK and in Hollywood.-Early...
(b. 1953), actor and comedian, attended St Albans Boys' Grammar SchoolVerulam SchoolVerulam School is a state secondary school for boys in St Albans, Hertfordshire, UK. It was founded in 1938 and was originally named St Albans Boys' Modern School. The name was changed in the 1940s to St Albans Grammar School for Boys and subsequently, following its change of status to a...
(now Verulam School), patron of St Albans Arts, along with Maddy PriorMaddy PriorMaddy Prior is an English folk singer, best known as the lead vocalist of Steeleye Span.-Early life:... - Gilberto SilvaGilberto SilvaGilberto Aparecido da Silva, commonly known as Gilberto Silva, is a Brazilian footballer. He currently plays for Grêmio.Gilberto was raised in a poor family and as a child he balanced playing football with various labour jobs. He began his football career in 1997 with América Mineiro, where good...
(b. 1976), Brazilian footballer, played for Arsenal FC, used to live in St Albans - Alan Smith, (b. 1957), Bishop of St AlbansBishop of St AlbansThe Bishop of St Albans is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of St Albans in the Province of Canterbury. The bishop is supported in his work by two suffragan bishops, the Bishop of Hertford and the Bishop of Bedford, and three archdeacons....
since 2009 - Danny SmithDanny SmithDanny Smith may refer to:*Danny Smith , American football coach for the Washington Redskins*Danny Smith , Canadian-born actor and musician...
, (b. 1975), Broadcaster on Radio Verulam. Presenter of West Herts Drivetime since 2010. Resides in St Albans - Justin SomperJustin SomperJustin Somper is the British author of the Vampirates children's novel series.-Background:He was born in St Albans and graduated from the University of Warwick...
, author, born in St Albans - Jonathan StroudJonathan StroudJonathan Anthony Stroud is an author of fantasy books, mainly for children and young adults.-Biography:Born in 1970 in Bedford, England, Stroud began to write stories at a very young age. He grew up in St Albans where he enjoyed reading books, drawing pictures, and writing stories...
(b. 1970), author, lived in St Albans, now in HarpendenHarpendenHarpenden is a town in Hertfordshire, England.The town's total population is just under 30,000.-Geography and administration:There are two civil parishes: Harpenden and Harpenden Rural.... - UlsinusWulsin (Abbot Ulsinus)Wulsin was a tenth century Abbot of St Albans Abbey, England, and, according to the 13th century chronicler Matthew Paris, founded St Albans School there in 948 which is still active...
(fl.FloruitFloruit , abbreviated fl. , is a Latin verb meaning "flourished", denoting the period of time during which something was active...
10th century), Abbot of St Albans AbbeySt Albans CathedralSt Albans Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral church at St Albans, England. At , its nave is the longest of any cathedral in England...
, reputed founder in 948 of St Albans SchoolSt Albans School (Hertfordshire)St Albans School is an independent school in the city of St Albans in Hertfordshire, in the East of England. Entry before Sixth Form is for boys only, and co-educational thereafter. Founded in 948 by Wulsin , St Albans School is not only the oldest school in Hertfordshire but also one of the oldest...
, and St Michael'sChurch of St. Michael, St. AlbansSt Michael's Church in St Albans is a parish church in the Church of England.-Background:It is, based upon the writing of Matthew Paris, believed to have been originally founded in AD948 by Abbot Ulsinus of St Albans...
, St Peter'sChurch of St Peter, St. AlbansSt Peter's Church in St Albans, England, is a parish church in the Church of England.-Background:It is, based upon the writing of Matthew Paris, believed to have been originally founded in AD 948 by Abbot Ulsinus of St Albans...
and St Stephen'sSt. Stephen's Church, St. AlbansSt Stephen's Church in St Albans, England, is a parish church in the Church of England.-Background:It is, based upon the writing of Matthew Paris, believed to have been originally founded in AD948 by Abbot Ulsinus of St Albans...
churches - Mike WallingMike WallingMike Walling is an English comic actor and screenwriter.He began his career as an English teacher at Holland Park School in London. In the mid-1970s, while still a teacher, he won a British TV talent contest, New Faces, with a comedy double act called "Mr Carline & Mr Walling." He immediately...
(b.1950), comedy actor and scriptwriter, lived in St Albans 1990-2010 - Richard of WallingfordRichard of WallingfordRichard of Wallingford was an English mathematician who made major contributions to astronomy/astrology and horology while serving as abbot of St Albans Abbey in Hertfordshire.-Biography:...
(1292–1336), Abbot of St Albans AbbeySt Albans CathedralSt Albans Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral church at St Albans, England. At , its nave is the longest of any cathedral in England...
, mathematicianMathematicianA mathematician is a person whose primary area of study is the field of mathematics. Mathematicians are concerned with quantity, structure, space, and change....
, horologistHorologyHorology is the art or science of measuring time. Clocks, watches, clockwork, sundials, clepsydras, timers, time recorders and marine chronometers are all examples of instruments used to measure time.People interested in horology are called horologists...
and astronomerAstronomerAn astronomer is a scientist who studies celestial bodies such as planets, stars and galaxies.Historically, astronomy was more concerned with the classification and description of phenomena in the sky, while astrophysics attempted to explain these phenomena and the differences between them using... - Thomas Spencer WellsThomas Spencer WellsSir Thomas Spencer Wells, 1st Baronet was surgeon to Queen Victoria, a medical professor and president of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.-Early life:...
(1818–1897), surgeon to Queen Victoria and president of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, born and educated in St Albans - Charles WilliamsCharles Williams (UK writer)Charles Walter Stansby Williams was a British poet, novelist, theologian, literary critic, and member of the Inklings.- Biography :...
(1886–1945), writer and publisher, lived in St Albans 1894-1917 and attended St Albans SchoolSt Albans School (Hertfordshire)St Albans School is an independent school in the city of St Albans in Hertfordshire, in the East of England. Entry before Sixth Form is for boys only, and co-educational thereafter. Founded in 948 by Wulsin , St Albans School is not only the oldest school in Hertfordshire but also one of the oldest... - Helen WymanHelen WymanHelen Wyman is a British cyclist for the KONA/FSA Factory Team. She participates in both road cycling as cyclo-cross and since she began competing at the age of 14, Wyman has represented her country at many international events including World Cups and World Championships...
(b. 1981), cyclist, five times British cyclo-cross champion, born in St Albans - Graham Frederick YoungGraham Frederick YoungGraham Frederick Young was an English serial killer. He is notable for his obsession with the use of poison, and for having been imprisoned for murder in his teens, only to kill again after his release.-Early life and crimes:...
(1947–1990), the infamous "Teacup Poisoner", tried at St Albans Crown Court in 1972 - Your DemiseYour DemiseYour Demise is a five-piece band from St Albans, Brighton and Salisbury in the United Kingdom. They began in 2003 and have shared stages and tours with Biohazard, Comeback Kid, Bury Your Dead, Enter Shikari, The Devil Wears Prada, Miss May I, Parkway Drive and A Day to Remember. On 22 September...
, punk band - Yevgeny ZamyatinYevgeny ZamyatinYevgeny Ivanovich Zamyatin was a Russian author of science fiction and political satire. Despite having been a prominent Old Bolshevik, Zamyatin was deeply disturbed by the policies pursued by the CPSU following the October Revolution...
(1884–1937), novelist, lived in Fleetville after the Russian Revolution. His 1921 novel WeWe (novel)We is a dystopian novel by Yevgeny Zamyatin completed in 1921. It was written in response to the author's personal experiences during the Russian revolution of 1905, the Russian revolution of 1917, his life in the Newcastle suburb of Jesmond, and his work in the Tyne shipyards during the First...
, a story of a dystopian future, was influenced by his experiences in Hertfordshire
In popular culture
- The 1957 April Fool's Day spoof edition of BBC documentary series PanoramaPanorama (TV series)Panorama is a BBC Television current affairs documentary programme, which was first broadcast in 1953, and is the longest-running public affairs television programme in the world. Panorama has been presented by many well known BBC presenters, including Richard Dimbleby, Robin Day, David Dimbleby...
, which dealt with the fictitious Swiss spaghetti harvestSpaghetti treeThe spaghetti tree hoax is a famous 3-minute hoax report broadcast on April Fools' Day 1957 by the BBC current affairs programme Panorama. It told a tale of a family in southern Switzerland harvesting spaghetti from the fictitious spaghetti tree, broadcast at a time when this Italian dish was not...
, was filmed partly at the (now closed) Pasta Foods factory on London Road, St Albans. - The 2001 film Birthday GirlBirthday GirlBirthday Girl is a 2001 British-American drama and crime film directed by Jez Butterworth. The plot focuses on English bank clerk John Buckingham who orders a Russian mail-order bride, Nadia. It becomes clear upon her arrival that Nadia cannot speak English, and early into her stay, two mysterious...
, featuring Nicole KidmanNicole KidmanNicole Mary Kidman, AC is an American-born Australian actress, singer, film producer, spokesmodel, and humanitarian. After starring in a number of small Australian films and TV shows, Kidman's breakthrough was in the 1989 thriller Dead Calm...
and Ben ChaplinBen ChaplinBen Chaplin , is an English actor.-Early life:Chaplin, the youngest of four children, was born in London, the son of Cynthia , a drama teacher, and Peter Greenwood, an engineer. He took his stage name after his mother's maiden name. He was raised in Windsor, Berkshire, England and attended Hurtwood...
, is set in St Albans. - A number of places across the world are named after the City of St Albans, most notably in AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, New ZealandNew ZealandNew Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
& the United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. - St Albans was the name of a planet in the cult science-fiction television series FireflyFirefly (TV series)Firefly is an American space western television series created by writer and director Joss Whedon, under his Mutant Enemy Productions label. Whedon served as executive producer, along with Tim Minear....
. - In September 2007, St Albans replaced MayfairMayfairMayfair is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster.-History:Mayfair is named after the annual fortnight-long May Fair that took place on the site that is Shepherd Market today...
as the most expensive square on a special UK Here and Now Edition MonopolyMonopoly (game)Marvin Gardens, the leading yellow property on the board shown, is actually a misspelling of the original location name, Marven Gardens. The misspelling was said to be introduced by Charles Todd and passed on when his home-made Monopoly board was copied by Charles Darrow and thence to Parker...
board, having won an internet vote. - Enter ShikariEnter ShikariEnter Shikari are a British band, that combine post-hardcore with elements of various electronic genres, formed in 2003 in St Albans, Hertfordshire. The band is named after a boat belonging to Roughton "Rou" Reynolds' uncle, and a character in a play which he wrote before forming the band, both of...
's song "All eyes on the Saint" (B-side of "JuggernautsJuggernauts (song)"Juggernauts" is a song written by British post-hardcore band Enter Shikari produced by record producer and writer Andy Gray for their second studio album, Common Dreads. The song was released as a single on 1 June 2009, with the download being released a week earlier. The song was also released on...
" single) tells the story of St Alban.
See also
- Diocesan House, St AlbansDiocesan House, St AlbansDiocesan House is located in Verulam Road, St Albans on the northern side between Church Crescent and Britton Avenue opposite College Street .It is now known as Verulam House and has also been referred to as the Bishop's Palace....
- Kingsbury Watermill Museum
- Museum of St AlbansMuseum of St AlbansThe Museum of St Albans is a local museum in the city of St Albans, Hertfordshire, England.The museum was founded as the Hertfordshire County Museum in 1898. The museum presents the history of St Albans from the end of the Romans onwards...
- St Albans (UK Parliament constituency)St Albans (UK Parliament constituency)St Albans is a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Established in 1885, it is a county constituency in Hertfordshire, and elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.From 1554 to 1852 there was a...
- Sopwell PriorySopwell PriorySopwell Priory was built c. 1140 in Hertfordshire, England by the Benedictine abbot of St Albans Abbey, Geoffrey de Gorham...
- Sopwell HouseSopwell HouseSopwell House is a historic country house, now a 128 room luxury hotel, in the southern part of St Albans, Hertfordshire, England. It has gained fame as the gathering place for the England national football team before international football events...
- Verulam House, St AlbansVerulam House, St AlbansVerulam House is located in Verulam Road, St Albans AL3 4DH on the northwestern side between Church Crescent and Britton Avenue opposite College Street.It has previously been referred to as Diocesan House and also known as the Bishop's Palace....
- Verulamium Museum
Nearby towns and villages
- Abbots LangleyAbbots LangleyAbbots Langley is a large village and civil parish in the English county of Hertfordshire. It is an old settlement and is mentioned in the Domesday Book. Economically the village is closely linked to Watford and was formerly part of the Watford Rural District...
- BorehamwoodBorehamwood-Film industry:Since the 1920s, the town has been home to several film studios and many shots of its streets are included in final cuts of 20th century British films. This earned it the nickname of the "British Hollywood"...
- Bricket WoodBricket WoodBricket Wood is a village in the county of Hertfordshire, England, approximately 4½ miles from St Albans. It is part of the parish of St Stephen. Its railway station is served by a London Midland service that runs between St Albans Abbey and Watford Junction stations.Close to the village stands...
- Chiswell GreenChiswell GreenChiswell Green is an area, originally a village, in St Albans, Hertfordshire with a population of approximately 2,800, in the City and District of St Albans.It is situated 2 miles south of St Albans on the North Orbital Road, close to Junction 21A of the M25....
- Colney HeathColney HeathColney Heath is a large village south-east of St Albans, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.The population of the ward of Colney Heath at the time of the 2001 census was 5,449....
- Colney StreetColney StreetColney Street is a village in the English county of Hertfordshire.It lies on the A5183 road, this was formerly the A5 road and, before that, Roman Britain's Watling Street. In addition its northern boundary is delineated by the M25 motorway. These location advantages have led to it becoming a...
- ElstreeElstreeElstree is a village in the Hertsmere borough of Hertfordshire on the A5 road, about 10 miles north of London. In 2001, its population was 4,765, and forms part of the civil parish of Elstree and Borehamwood, originally known simply as Elstree....
- Frogmore
- HarpendenHarpendenHarpenden is a town in Hertfordshire, England.The town's total population is just under 30,000.-Geography and administration:There are two civil parishes: Harpenden and Harpenden Rural....
- HatfieldHatfield, HertfordshireHatfield is a town and civil parish in Hertfordshire, England in the borough of Welwyn Hatfield. It has a population of 29,616, and is of Saxon origin. Hatfield House, the home of the Marquess of Salisbury, is the nucleus of the old town...
- Hemel HempsteadHemel HempsteadHemel Hempstead is a town in Hertfordshire in the East of England, to the north west of London and part of the Greater London Urban Area. The population at the 2001 Census was 81,143 ....
- Jersey FarmJersey FarmJersey Farm is a district of St Albans situated approximately 2 miles north-east of the city centre. It is largely surrounded by countryside and is 'attached' to St Albans by the district of Marshalswick to its south-west....
- LemsfordLemsfordLemsford is a village and parish in Hertfordshire. It is near Welwyn Garden City and was created out of Hatfield parish in 1858.It is nearly 3 miles N. from Hatfield, on the S.E. side of Brocket Hall Park. It is widely known for its large mill on the River Lea, which is now the headquarters of...
- London ColneyLondon ColneyLondon Colney is a village and civil parish in Hertfordshire, England. It is located to the north of London, at Junction 22 of the M25 motorway....
- LutonLutonLuton is a large town and unitary authority of Bedfordshire, England, 30 miles north of London. Luton and its near neighbours, Dunstable and Houghton Regis, form the Luton/Dunstable Urban Area with a population of about 250,000....
- MarkyateMarkyateMarkyate is a village and civil parish in north-west Hertfordshire close to the border with Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire.-Geography:Having a number of former names, including Markyate Street and Mergyate, it has been a part of all three counties since it was first founded as the county...
- MarshalswickMarshalswickMarshalswick is a district of St Albans, in Hertfordshire, England around 1.5 miles North East of the city centre. Marshalswick borders on Jersey Farm, Fleetville and Bernards Heath and historically fell within the bounds of Sandridge Parish to the North....
- Park StreetPark Street, HertfordshirePark Street is a village on the outskirts of St Albans, Hertfordshire.-Location:Park Street is situated approximately 2½ miles south of St Albans along the Watling Street, the old Roman road from London to Chester and Holyhead. It lies south of the A405 North Orbital Road and on Watling Street...
- RadlettRadlettRadlett is a small town in the county of Hertfordshire between St Albans and Borehamwood on Watling Street with a population of approximately 8,000. It is located in the council district of Hertsmere and is covered by two wards, Aldenham East and Aldenham West...
- RedbournRedbournRedbourn is a village and civil parish in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, lying on Watling Street, 3 miles from Harpenden, 4 miles from St Albans and 5 miles from Hemel Hempstead. It has a population of around 6,000.-History:...
- SandridgeSandridgeSandridge is a small village and civil parish between St Albans and Wheathampstead in Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom.-Early history:...
- StanboroughStanboroughStanborough is the site of an Iron Age hill fort near the village of Halwell, south of Totnes, Devon, England. The fort is situated on a promontory on the western edge of a hill at about above sea level....
- St StephensSt Stephens, HertfordshireSt Stephens is a former village which lies at the bottom of Holywell Hill in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England.It is named after the 10th century St Stephen's Church at the top of St Stephen's Hill, opposite the King Harry public house and at the junction of Watford Road, King Harry Lane and...
- TringTringTring is a small market town and also a civil parish in the Chiltern Hills in Hertfordshire, England. Situated north-west of London and linked to London by the old Roman road of Akeman Street, by the modern A41, by the Grand Union Canal and by rail lines to Euston Station, Tring is now largely a...
- WatfordWatfordWatford is a town and borough in Hertfordshire, England, situated northwest of central London and within the bounds of the M25 motorway. The borough is separated from Greater London to the south by the urbanised parish of Watford Rural in the Three Rivers District.Watford was created as an urban...
External links
- St Albans official website
- allaboutstalbans.com - what's on, over 600 local listings and reviews for St Albans
- Herts Advertiser newspaper
- St Albans Observer newspaper
- St Albans & Harpenden Review newspaper
- St Albans (History and Pictures) on A Guide to Old Hertfordshire
- The Cathedral & Abbey Church of St Alban
- St Michael's Church
- St Paul's Church
- St Peter's Church
- St Saviour's Church
- St Stephen's Church
- St Albans Bach Choir
- St Albans Chamber Choir
- St Albans Chamber Opera
- St Albans Choral Society
- St Albans Symphony Orchestra
- St Albans Museums
- St Albans Arts (STARTS) - official website
- Best Theatre Arts - theatre school for children aged 4-16
- whatsonstalbans.co.uk - 1,800 listings, events, reviews and the St Albans loyalty card for restaurants, shops, pubs etc
- St Albans Organ Theatre
- St Albans Fencing Club
- St Albans Gymnastics Club