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Great Northern, St. Albans

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Cask Ale Real Cider
Open
Real ale discount scheme
Operator: Private Individual
172 London Road, St. Albans, AL1 1PQ (View on Google Map)
(01727) 730867
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Rescued from closure and reopened in 2015 after significant renovation, the pub now offers a modern interior feel and a delightful large garden. On the bar, an ever-changing range of cask beers is accompanied by traditional still ciders. The landlord of the pub spends much of his time in the kitchen and the menu of British classic dishes and Sunday roasts is highly regarded. the pub runs beer festivals and brewery tap takeovers throughout the year. A quiz is held every Tuesday with a film-specific quiz on the last Wednesday of each month. A discount is offered for CAMRA members and there is 10% off cask ales and real ciders for everyone on Thursdays. Say hello to Plato the tortoise who lives outside the back door!

Historic Interest

Originally the Alma, the pub changed its name due to the nearby (now closed but preserved) railway station on the old St Albans to Hatfield line. The pub underwent a major renovation in 2014/15 which included the removal of its old central semi-circular bar and installation of a relocated replacement at one end of the building.

Information for this venue is provided by the South Hertfordshire Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Alma
Local Authority
St Albans District Council
Last updated
Last surveyed
25/01/2026
Leasehold owner
unknown
Freehold owner
Independently registered company.
Pub ID
SHE/692
Asset of Community Value
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Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Noon - 11:30pm
Wednesday
Noon - 11:30pm
Thursday
Noon - 11:30pm
Friday
Noon - 12:30am
Saturday
Noon - 12:30am
Sunday
Noon - 10:30pm
Monday
No Service
Tuesday
Noon - 2:30pm & 5:00pm - 8:30pm
Wednesday
Noon - 2:30pm & 5:00pm - 8:30pm
Thursday
Noon - 2:30pm & 5:00pm - 8:30pm
Friday
Noon - 2:30pm & 5:00pm - 8:30pm
Saturday
Noon - 2:30pm & 5:00pm - 8:30pm
Sunday
Noon - 5:00pm
TasteMatch

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Current beers

This Pub serves 4 changing beers (A porter/stout always available.) and 1 regular beer.

Regular and recently seen

Fuller's - London Pride TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
Fuller's London Pride Pumpclip
Fuller's - London Pride Session Bitter • 4.1% Spotted 6 times
Fuller's London Pride Pumpclip
Fuller's - London Pride

This beer is served regularly and Spotted 6 times. at Great Northern, St. Albans.

ABV 4.1%
Cask
Style Session Bitter
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

Siren - Broken Dream Breakfast Stout TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
Siren - Broken Dream Breakfast Stout
Siren - Broken Dream Breakfast Stout Flavoured Speciality Beers • 6.5% Spotted 11 times
Siren - Broken Dream Breakfast Stout
Gold Award
Siren - Broken Dream Breakfast Stout

Spotted 11 times recently. Last spotted 4 days ago at Great Northern, St. Albans.

ABV 6.5%
Style Flavoured Speciality Beers
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

The venue's range of changing beers regularly includes the following rare beer styles: Porter.

Source: National

Your scores

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Facilities
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals Evening Meals
Garden Garden
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Mobility Access Statement Mobility Access Statement
Access through front door.
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
Events Events
Smoking Smoking
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Features
Cask Ale Cask Ale
Real Cider Real Cider
At least two real ciders at any time.
LocAle LocAle
Intention is to stock one LocAle (Tring/Farr/3 Brewers/Mad Squirrel) at all times. Option for a second once bar moves to 5 handpumps.
Cask Marque Cask Marque
Beer Festival Beer Festival
One annual (summer), 2 seasonal.
Member Discount Scheme Member Discount Scheme
10% off a pint of real ale
Cask Marque Beer and Cellar Hygiene rating
Cask Marque: Beer and Cellar Hygiene rating 5 out of 5
Transport
Close to bus routes (150m)
,
All other buses to city centre stop within 1000m
Nearby Station (500m)
St Albans City
Ordnance Survey Reference
TL151068

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Explore the local area

Curated guides are specially put together for your enjoyment! These trips are crafted by specialists along with dedicated volunteers with local knowledge.

The Charter Market Quarter

The Charter Market Quarter

15 minutes 6 curated stops

Visit six local venues and journey through the Charter Market Quarter's historical sites, including one of the only free-standing medieval civic clock towers, and the site of the First Battle of St. Albans in 1455. Historically, there were 23 pubs in the Market area alone!

St Peter’s Quarter

St Peter’s Quarter

30 minutes 6 curated stops

The northern end of the Market is dominated by St. Peter’s church, one of the three churches originally built by the Saxon’s on the main pilgrim routes into St. Albans. Soak up the history and architecture of the area, as well as music history! 

Medieval St. Albans East

Medieval St. Albans East

15 minutes 6 curated stops

This area is packed with history and interesting pubs, some open, and some no longer with us. With this Guide, you'll visit six hand-picked venues in one of the oldest parts of the city.

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