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Farriers Arms, St. Albans

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32-34 Lower Dagnall Street, St. Albans, AL3 4PT (View on Google Map)
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Originally a grocer's and butcher's shop during the 19th-century, it became a pub in the 1920s. It is now a classic back-street local. Tied to McMullen's of Hertford for many years, it became a free house in 2013. It is the only pub in the city never to have forsaken real ale. A plaque on the wall outside marks the first meeting of the Hertfordshire branch of CAMRA. The split-level interior has a small area fronting the bar for stand-up drinking, darts and cards. The back room has more comfortable seating. Both bars are free of gaming machines but there is a TV for sports. Pizza and toasted sandwiches are available. Parking can be difficult.

Historic Interest

Once a butchers

Information for this venue is provided by the South Hertfordshire Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
St Albans City Council
Last updated
05/03/2025
Last surveyed
01/11/2024
Leasehold owner
unknown
Freehold owner
unknown
Pub ID
SHE/686
Asset of Community Value

Two star - A pub interior of very special national historic interest

Listed status: Not listed

A two-bar locals pub, little changed since the early 1960s. The disused doors to the lower bar indicate it was once split into bar, snug and off-sales. It now has a wooden floor, distinctive post-war bar counter and bar back and a brick fireplace of the same vintage. The light wood dado with attached benches is older. A sliding door leads into the upper bar which has an inter-war bar counter, an Art Deco fireplace and old dado panelling with benches attached. Note the plaque proclaiming that the first-ever CAMRA Branch meeting was held here in 1972.

General information about historic pub interiors

A rendered brick corner street local which is little changed since the early 1960s with two small bars. This has been a pub since at least 1869; part of the building was originally a shop which was incorporated into the pub early last century.

The lower bar on the Lower Dagnell Street side has three (two disused) doors indicating it was formerly split into a bar, snug and off sales. The right hand door led to the off sales but the partitions were removed in the early 1960s and the bar here was changed as originally it went straight to the side wall where there is now a dart board. The off sales was only the width of the door and the black beams were added in the 1960s to strengthen the ceiling. Only a tiny part of the partition that separated the bar on the left from the snug on the right remains by the present entrance door. This bar has a wooden floor, distinctive 1950s style bar counter front, a 1950s (or older) bar back of shelves with mirrored panels and only one fridge has replaced some lower bar back shelving. The light-wood dado is old with wall benches attached and there is a 1950s brick fireplace; some panelling above the dado on the right hand side looks modern and the panelled ceiling is painted white.

A sliding door (always open) separates the small upper bar which has a panelled bar counter from the 1930s, a 1930s Art Deco brick fireplace now painted grey, old dado panelling with wall benches attached, a plain baffle and panelled ceiling painted white. Outside gents and ladies now under cover. Note the plaque on the pub which states "The first branch meeting of CAMRA was held in this pub on 20th November 1972". Parking can be difficult and vouchers are required during the daytime which can be bought from the pub.

General information about historic pub interiors
Monday
4:00pm - 11:00pm
Tuesday
4:00pm - 11:00pm
Wednesday
4:00pm - 11:00pm
Thursday
4:00pm - 11:00pm
Friday
4:00pm - 11:00pm
Saturday
Noon - 11:00pm
Sunday
Noon - 10:30pm

Current beers

This Pub serves no changing beers and 3 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen
Taylor's  Landlord Pump clip
Timothy Taylor - Landlord Session Bitter • 4.3% Spotted once
Taylor's  Landlord Pump clip
Timothy Taylor - Landlord

Session Bitter

Dispense: Handpump
ABV: 4.3%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No
This beer is served regularly.
Spotted once
Young's - London Original
Young's - London Original Session Bitter • 3.7%
Young's - London Original
Young's - London Original

Session Bitter

Dispense: Handpump
ABV: 3.7%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No
This beer is served regularly.
Oakham - Citra
Oakham - Citra Session Golden Ale • 4.2% Spotted twice
Oakham - Citra
Silver Award
Oakham - Citra

Session Golden Ale

Dispense: Handpump
ABV: 4.2%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No
This beer is served regularly.
Spotted twice

Source: National


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Facilities
Sports TV Sports TV
Garden Garden
Very small patio
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Disabled Access Disabled Access
Access around the back of the pub
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
Games Games
Darts
Real Fire Real Fire
Separate Bar Separate Bar
Smoking Smoking
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Features
Real Ale Real Ale
Real Heritage Pub Real Heritage Pub
Quiet Quiet
Transport
Close to bus routes (500m)
All bus routes to city centre
Closest station (1100m)
St Albans City
Ordnance Survey Reference
Directions
Off A5183 Verulam Road

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