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Old Toll House, St. Albans

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Cask Ale
Open
Operator: Star (Heineken UK)
246 Hatfield Road, St. Albans, AL1 4UN (View on Google Map)
(01727) 898324
Website
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Large, lively and welcoming community local in a traditional saloon bar style - re-opened in 2025 after a brief closure, a significant refurbishment and a change of name. With several TV screens, a pool table (which is free on Mondays), dart boards, juke box and fruit machines, this is one of few pubs left in St Albans that focus on the drinker and shun the food trade. The building is Edwardian with a later extension and internally it is decorated stylishly including many photographs of old St Albans. There is a small patio at the rear for outdoor drinking in warmer weather, complete with an exterior TV screen for sports matches. The pub is keen to stress its dog-friendliness and resident dog Ted has his own Instagram account! Located next to a large Morrisons supermarket, the pub is handy for a quick pint while waiting for a bus from the well-served stop just outside. Two real ales are typically available and there is a loyalty card scheme meaning every sixth pint purchased is free.

Historic Interest

The pub first opened in 1927, before which Fleetville was a dry district. Its original name, The Rats Castle, derived from a turnpike toll house which stood on the site and fell into rat-infested disrepair in the late 19th century leading to this and the area around it being nicknamed "Rats Castle". When this was cleared and the pub was built, it assumed the name. Castle Road which runs behind the pub is so called for similar reasons. The pub was briefly rebranded as simply the "Castle" in the 1980s by its then owner Ind Coope, but the original name was restored after a campaign by locals. This battle was finally lost in 2025 however when subsequent owner Heineken refurbished the pub and re-opened it as the "Old Toll House". A more detailed pub history can be found at https://www.stalbansowneastend.org.uk.

Information for this venue is provided by the South Hertfordshire Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Rats Castle (1927-2025)
Local Authority
Last updated
Last surveyed
14/06/2025
Leasehold owner
unknown
Freehold owner
unknown
Pub ID
SHE/713
Asset of Community Value
Monday
Noon - 11:00pm
Tuesday
Noon - 11:00pm
Wednesday
Noon - 11:00pm
Thursday
Noon - 11:00pm
Friday
Noon - Midnight
Saturday
Noon - Midnight
Sunday
Noon - 10:00pm
TasteMatch

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Current beers

This Pub serves no changing beers and 2 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen

Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter TasteMatch Prediction

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Sussex Best Bitter - Harvey's
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter Session Bitter • 4% Spotted twice
Sussex Best Bitter - Harvey's
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter

This beer is served regularly and Spotted twice. at Old Toll House, St. Albans.

ABV 4%
Cask
Style Session Bitter
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

Timothy Taylor - Landlord TasteMatch Prediction

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Taylor's Landlord Pump clip
Timothy Taylor - Landlord Session Bitter • 4.3% Spotted 4 times
Taylor's Landlord Pump clip
SIBA Indie Beer Sold Here
Timothy Taylor - Landlord

This beer is served regularly and Spotted 4 times. at Old Toll House, St. Albans.

ABV 4.3%
Cask
Style Session Bitter
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

Source: National

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Facilities
Sports TV Sports TV
Sky, focus on horse racing
Live Music Live Music
Occassional
Garden Garden
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
Games Games
Pool, Darts
Smoking Smoking
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Features
Cask Ale Cask Ale
Transport
Close to bus routes (20m)
301, 302, 305, 602, 653, 724, 725
Closest station (1200m)
St Albans City
Ordnance Survey Reference
TL167072

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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

The Charter Market Quarter has many historical links. One of the only free-standing medieval civic clock towers, the site of the First Battle of St. Albans in 1455, during the Wars of the Roses. Allegedly the Boot Inn played host to soldiers fighting in the battle. There used to be 23 pubs around the Market area!

St Peter’s Quarter

St Peter’s Quarter

25 minutes 5 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. 

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