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Welcome to your
Victorian St. Albans

Before the Midland Railway arrived in 1868 St. Albans development largely ran north, south and west from the Market Place. The city fought to get the Midland Railway to change their original route to come closer to St. Albans (at the cost of demolishing the corner of the prison). This created a new commercial centre and, from then on, most of the development was to the East of the old city centre. St. Albans was also on a railway that ran from Hatfield to Watford, so it was very well connected. This spurred on industrial development, including that of Samuel Ryder, a seed merchant – who also founded the Ryder Cup. 

Trip Map

Route

1
Victoria at St Albans. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 01-01-1970
Victoria, St. Albans Star (Heineken UK), Pub
Victoria at St Albans. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 01-01-1970
Victoria, St. Albans Star (Heineken UK), Pub

Cask Ale not available
Start at at The Victoria - a c19th pub with a strong sports bar theme.
Directions

2 minutes

Turn right as you leave the Victoria and follow the road along.

Note also: The surviving gate of St. Albans Gaol (just on the right past the railway overbridge on Victoria Street) – used in the opening credits for ‘Porridge’)

2
Robin Hood at St Albans. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 01-01-2018
Robin Hood, St. Albans Stonegate (formerly Ei Group), Pub
Robin Hood at St Albans. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 01-01-2018
Robin Hood, St. Albans Stonegate (formerly Ei Group), Pub
1 Regular Beer • 2 Changing Beers
South Herts CAMRA Pub of the Year 2024 and 2025.
Directions

2 minutes

Turn right as you leave the Robin Hood and follow the road along.

3
The Horn, St Albans. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 01-01-1970
Horn, St. Albans Star (Heineken UK), Pub
The Horn, St Albans. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 01-01-1970
Horn, St. Albans Star (Heineken UK), Pub
2 Changing Beers
Famous as an award-winning independent music venue. Kym Wilde worked behind the bar and U2 have played there - amongst many more!
Directions

5 minutes

Turn left as you leave the Horn and walk the length of Alma Road – halfway along, on the junction with Oswald Road, you will pass a former CAMRA HQ building that’s now a residential property. At the end of Alma Road, turn right and you will see the next pub across the road.

Note also: St. Albans South Signal Box (restored Midland Railway signal box - unfortunately not open during Members Weekend)

4
Great Northern, St Albans. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 26-01-2019
Great Northern, St. Albans Private Individual, Pub
Great Northern, St Albans. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 26-01-2019
Great Northern, St. Albans Private Individual, Pub
1 Regular Beer • 4 Changing Beers
A pub that has improved dramatically over the past 10 years. Now named after the Great Northern Railway, whose disused London Road Station is a few hundred metres up the road.
Directions

2 minutes

Turn left as you leave the Great Northern and follow the road along.

5
Farmers Boy at St Albans. (Pub, External). Published on 02-04-2023
Farmer's Boy, St. Albans Private owner, Pub
Farmers Boy at St Albans. (Pub, External). Published on 02-04-2023
Farmer's Boy, St. Albans Private owner, Pub
2 Changing Beers
A small traditional pub, noted for its frequent bands and friendly atmosphere.
Directions

1 minute

Cross the road.

6
Beer Shop at St Albans. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 01-01-1970
Beer Shop, St. Albans Pub
Beer Shop at St Albans. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 01-01-1970
Beer Shop, St. Albans Pub
1 Changing Beer
A relatively recent addition to the St. Albans’ scene the Beer Shop has a huge range of UK and International beers in bottles and cans as well as 11 craft taps and one cask + a great social buzz
Directions
Journey time: 15 minutes

Why you will love this trip

See how Victorian industry and the arrival of the railways shaped St Albans. 

Real Ale

Discover real ale from your route

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:

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:

Tiny Rebel - Sin Bin
Tiny Rebel - Sin Bin

Session Pale Ale

ABV: 4.1%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No

You could see this beer at the following pubs:

Route Pub Gallery
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