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Welcome to your
The Charter Market Quarter

St. Albans has been home to a market for over 1,000 years, originally controlled by the Abbey but, since 1553 controlled by the town under a Charter granted by King Edward VI. The market is held twice a week, Wednesdays’ and Saturdays’. 

The original layout of the market place can still be seen today in the long funnel shaped space between the Cathedral grounds and St. Peter’s church. 

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! 

Trip Map

Route

1
Waterend Barn at St Albans. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 02-07-2020
Waterend Barn, St. Albans Wetherspoon, Pub
Waterend Barn at St Albans. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 02-07-2020
Waterend Barn, St. Albans Wetherspoon, Pub
• Conversion
3 Regular Beers • 6 Changing Beers
Starting in the Waterend Barn, a pair of glorious medieval barns moved to St. Albans in the 1930’s for use as a restaurant, & now a Wetherspoons pub.
Directions

4 minutes

Turn right out of the pub then immediately right again down a footpath. Turn right into Victoria Street and at the junction cross the road and walk with St Albans Museum on your left onto Market Place. Turn left, and then turn right into Upper Dagnall Street.

2
White Swan at St Albans. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 14-07-2019
White Swan, St. Albans Pub
White Swan at St Albans. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 14-07-2019
White Swan, St. Albans Pub
2 Regular Beers • 1 Changing Beer
A market pub for over 250 years!
Directions

3 minutes

Through Christopher Place shopping centre, across Verulam Road and down the beautiful George Street

3
Kings Arms at St Albans. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 18-11-2018
Kings Arms, St. Albans Pub
Kings Arms at St Albans. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 18-11-2018
Kings Arms, St. Albans Pub
1 Regular Beer • 1 Changing Beer
A beautiful medieval building in George Street.
Directions

1 minute

Back up George Street, onto High Street, and then turn right down a pathway called Waxhouse Gate. You will see the cathedral in front of you and the next pub on your right.

4
Mad Squirrel Tap, St Albans. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 24-06-2019
Mad Squirrel Tap, St. Albans Mad Squirrel, Pub
Mad Squirrel Tap, St Albans. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 24-06-2019
Mad Squirrel Tap, St. Albans Mad Squirrel, Pub
1 Regular Beer • 1 Changing Beer
A modern pub showcasing local beers, with a great view of the Cathedral.
Directions

3 minutes

Turn right as you leave the pub and follow the path around to your left until you reach Holywell Hill. Turn left and walk up Holywell Hill until you reach the Peahen Junction with the pub on the corner.

5
Peahen at St Albans. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 02-04-2023
Peahen, St. Albans McMullen, Pub
Peahen at St Albans. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 02-04-2023
Peahen, St. Albans McMullen, Pub
2 Regular Beers • 1 Changing Beer
Once a coaching inn & now one of the two McMullens’ pubs in the City Centre.
Directions

2 minutes

On leaving The Peahen, cross the road diagonally and walk a very short way up Chequer Street. On your left you will see a narrow walkway called Boot Alley – this will lead you to the next pub.

Also note: The Fleur de Lys (now a cocktail bar called The Snug but possibly the oldest pub in St. Albans).

6
Boot Inn at St Albans. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 01-01-1970
Boot, St. Albans Star (Heineken UK), Pub
Boot Inn at St Albans. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 01-01-1970
Boot, St. Albans Star (Heineken UK), Pub
3 Regular Beers • 3 Changing Beers
Possibly one of the best medieval market place pubs in Britain.
Directions

Note also: Remaining reminders of various ex pubs (The Bat & Ball for example).

Note also: The Maltings Shopping Centre – the site of the now defunct Adey & Whytes brewery.

Journey time: 15 minutes

Why you will love this trip

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!

Real Ale

Discover real ale from your route

Ruddles - Best Bitter
Ruddles - Best Bitter

Session Bitter

ABV: 3.4%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No

You could see this beer at the following pubs:

ABBOT ALE PUMP CLIP CLOSE UP
Greene King - Abbot

Premium Bitter

ABV: 5%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No

You could see this beer at the following pubs:

Sharp's Doom Bar Pump Clip-1
Sharp's - Doom Bar

Session Bitter

ABV: 4%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No

You could see this beer at the following pubs:

Fuller's London Pride Pumpclip
Fuller's - London Pride

Session Bitter

ABV: 4.1%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No

You could see this beer at the following pubs:

St Austell Tribute Pump Clip
St Austell - Tribute

Session Pale Ale

ABV: 4.2%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No

You could see this beer at the following pubs:

Taylor's Landlord Pump clip
Timothy Taylor - Landlord

Session Bitter

ABV: 4.3%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No

You could see this beer at the following pubs:

Mad Squirrel - Trident
Mad Squirrel - Trident

Session Pale Ale

ABV: 3.4%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No

You could see this beer at the following pubs:

AK Original Mild
McMullen - AK Original Mild

Mild

ABV: 3.7%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No

You could see this beer at the following pubs:

McMullen IPA
McMullen - IPA

Premium Pale Ale

ABV: 4.8%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No

You could see this beer at the following pubs:

Sussex Best Bitter - Harvey's
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter

Session Bitter

ABV: 4%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No

You could see this beer at the following pubs:

Route Pub Gallery
Pub Walk Shoes Icon

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