ST. ALBANS

CITY AND DISTRICT OF ST. ALBANS

TOUR GUIDE WALKS

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City and District of St. Albans Tour Guides

In exceptional circumstances our programme may be subject to change.Please check with the Tourist Information Centre 01727 864511.

Full details of our programme and any changes can also be found on ourwebsite www.stalbanstourguides.co.uk

Designed & Printed by www.printshopstalbans.co.uk

PRIVATE WALKS ANDILLUSTRATED TALKSChoose a walk or a combination of walks to suit your group’s interests. Wecan offer a fascinating tour of Verulamium Museum, or you could experiencethe highlights of St Albans with our walk – “From Monastic to Market Town”starting at the Old Town Hall and finishing at the shrine of Saint Alban insidethe Cathedral, to name just two. Our group booking service operates throughout the year. A group can be anysize and we allocate guides on the basis of one per twenty visitors. Contact usany time for further information or to make a group booking.Our very popular range of illustrated talks includes “The City Beneath thePark”, “Made in St Albans”– from straw hats to steam trains, “Daughters of StAlbans”, “Sons of St Albans” and many more.

Contact us:bookings@stalbanstourguides.co.uk www.stalbanstourguides.co.uk Tourist Information CentreThe Old Town HallMarket PlaceSt Albans, Herts AL3 5DJ Tel: 01727 864511 email: tic@stalbans.gov.uk

The Roman TheatreWe offer guided tours of one of the finest and most complete examples of a Romantheatre in Britain. The tour also includes the remains of a 2nd century townhousewith an underground shrine and a parade of shops facing onto Watling Street. Tours take place on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday afternoonsbetween 2.30pm and 4.30pm, from April to October. An entrance fee is payable at the Roman Theatre - but the guided tours are FREE!

Roman Gallery ToursThese presentations are held at the Verulamium Museum most Saturdays andSundays at 3.00pm. The story of the Roman Town of Verulamium comes to lifein the tours which include: Mosaics; Iron Age; Domestic Life; Gods andGoddesses; Death and Burial; House in the Park; Life and Times of Alban. Look out for several new tours being introduced during 2016’Tours are free, but there is an entrance charge to the Museum for visitorsfrom outside the St Albans District Council area.

OUT OF TOWN WALKS

City and District of St Albans Tour GuidesThe City and District of St Albans Tour Guides were founded in 1964. A training programme is undertaken by guides covering both historical knowledge and practical guiding techniques. Guides are professionally qualified as Blue or Green Badge Guides

Tickets for Public WalksThese can be obtained from the guide on duty or the Tourist InformationCentre, in the Market Place. Walks take from 1-1½ hours. Tickets cost£4.00 for adults, £2.00 for children (5-15 years). Halloween week ghostwalks cost £5, go on sale on 1st October and MUST be pre-booked. For St Albans Halloween walks contact the Tourist Information Centre in St Albans or website and for Harpenden Halloween walks contactHarpenden Town Hall on 01582 768278.

Haunted HarpendenAn atmospheric walk in search of spooks, spectres and skeletons! MEET AT THE WAR MEMORIAL ON THE GREEN, HARPENDENThis Halloween walk must be pre-booked at The Town Hall, Harpenden

Discover WheathampsteadThis is a traditional site of the Catuvellauni, the local Iron Age tribe, but iteventually became part of the monastic estate of Westminster. Join us andlearn more of this ancient and delightful place. A visit to St Helen’s Church isincluded. MEET IN PUBLIC CAR PARK AT THE REAR OF THE BULL.

Discover RedbournDuring the coaching era, Redbourn became known as a Street of Inns andboasted at least 30 inns and public houses. This walk explores the area aroundthe historic High Street, St Mary’s Church and Almhouses. Join us for a gentlestroll through the fascinating bygone days of Redbourn.MEET IN THE CAR PARK ON THE COMMON BY THE CRICKET PAVILION

Discover HarpendenAn infamous spy, a lane nicknamed after the smells from the brewery and thelocal artist who painted royalty and presidents – these are just some of the placesyou will see and people you will hear about on this walk through the village andcommon. MEET AT THE WAR MEMORIAL ON THE GREEN, HARPENDEN

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A Roman City Revealed

Coaching InnsFor over 1000 years St Albans has been a town of inns, taverns and alehouses.Find out why there were fifteen inns on one street alone at one time - stablingwas required for 2000 horses – imagine the smell! This fascinating walk alsolooks at the architecture and the people who were part of this vibrant area ofSt Albans life.

Historic St Albans: A City Revealed Martyr, Monastery and Market - St Albans, the unheralded jewel ofHertfordshire, a 1000 year old city at the heart of English History. Tour wellknown and lesser known sites of the City – hear about revolting peasants,martyrs, heretics, monasteries and monks. Find out what is unique to St Albans.See its medieval clock tower and its parish memorials.

There’s More to the Tudors than Henry VIII

Family Walk - New for 2016

Medieval Lives - New for 2016Be transported back to the medieval period. As we walk around the historicmarket place you will hear tales about the life and times of the people whovisited, lived and worked here. Life was far from easy in those turbulent times.Follow the pilgrims’ route to the Abbey church and beyond.

Street War Memorials The Great War changed lives forever. Men enlisted to fight for King & Country,many never returned. The Abbey Parish remembers its dead, not in a church,but in the streets where they grew up. The Parish was not unique in itsexperience but the memorials are. We explore the history behind theirexistence and the lives of those whose names appear there.

Fishpool Street – Rags and RichesJourney from St Michaels, the village within the Roman walls, taking in medievalpubs and houses and a 16th century watermill to Fishpool Street. How did thisstreet, once a major 18th century coaching route, degenerate to a slum andbackwater, then became a prime residential area? You will have the opportunityto look at the architecture of some of the 72 listed buildings which range from amanor to workmen’s cottages. Another little gem – find out about puddingstone!MEET OUTSIDE THE VERULAMIUM MUSEUM

JANUARYFri 1 11.00am Historic St AlbansWed 13 8.00pm Ghosts and Ghouls23/24 Residents: Enjoy St Albans*Fri 29 8.00pm Ghosts and Ghouls

FEBRUARYWed 10 8.00pm Ghosts and GhoulsFri 26 8.00pm Ghosts and Ghouls

MARCHWed 9 8.00pm Ghosts and GhoulsWed 23 8.00pm Ghosts and GhoulsFri 25 2.30pm Coaching InnsSat 26 2.30pm A Roman City Revealed Sun 27 11.00am Historic St AlbansSun 27 2.30pm A Monastery RevealedMon 28 11.00am Historic St AlbansMon 28 2.30pm Historic Pubs of St Albans

APRILSat 2 2.30pm Fishpool Street - Rags & RichesSun 3 11.00am Historic St AlbansSun 3 2.30pm There's More to the Tudors...Sun 3 2.30pm Discover RedbournSat 9 2.30pm A Roman City Revealed Sun 10 11.00am Historic St AlbansSun 10 2.30pm Aristocrats, Paupers & PhilanthropistsSat 16 2.30pm Fishpool Street - Rags & RichesSun 17 11.00am Historic St AlbansSun 17 2.30pm Coaching InnsSat 23 2.30pm A Roman City Revealed Sun 24 11.00am Historic St AlbansSun 24 2.30pm A Monastery RevealedSun 24 2.30pm Discover WheathampsteadSat 30 2.30pm Fishpool Street - Rags & Riches

MAYSun 1 11.00am Historic St AlbansSun 1 2.30pm Victorian St AlbansMon 2 11.00am Historic St AlbansMon 2 2.30pm There's More to the Tudors...Sat 7 2.30pm A Roman City Revealed Sun 8 11.00am Historic St AlbansSun 8 2.30pm Discover HarpendenSun 8 2.30pm Coaching InnsSat 14 2.30pm Fishpool Street - Rags & RichesSun 15 11.00am Historic St AlbansSun 15 2.30pm Medieval LivesSat 21 2.30pm A Roman City Revealed Sun 22 11.00am Historic St AlbansSun 22 2.30pm There's More to the Tudors...Tue 24 11.00am Family WalkSat 28 2.30pm Fishpool Street - Rags & Riches

Sun 29 11.00am Historic St AlbansSun 29 2.30pm Historic Pubs of St AlbansMon 30 11.00am Historic St AlbansMon 30 2.30pm A Monastery Revealed

JUNESat 4 2.30pm A Roman City Revealed Sun 5 11.00am Historic St AlbansSun 5 2.30pm Discover WheathampsteadSun 5 2.30pm Aristocrats, Paupers & PhilanthropistsSat 11 2.30pm Fishpool Street - Rags & RichesSun 12 11.00am Historic St AlbansSun 12 2.30pm Family WalkSat 25 2.30pm A Roman City Revealed Sun 26 11.00am Historic St AlbansSun 26 2.30pm Coaching Inns

JULYSat 2 2.30pm Fishpool Street - Rags & RichesSun 3 11.00am Historic St AlbansSun 3 2.30pm Medieval LivesSat 9 2.30pm A Roman City Revealed Sun 10 11.00am Historic St AlbansSun 10 2.30pm There's More to the Tudors...Sat 16 2.30pm Fishpool Street - Rags & RichesSun 17 11.00am Historic St AlbansSun 17 2.30pm Aristocrats, Paupers & PhilanthropistsSat 23 2.30pm A Roman City Revealed Sun 24 11.00am Historic St AlbansSun 24 2.30pm Historic Pubs of St AlbansSat 30 2.30pm Fishpool Street - Rags & RichesSun 31 11.00am Historic St AlbansSun 31 2.30pm Victorian St Albans

AUGUSTSat 6 2.30pm A Roman City Revealed Sun 7 11.00am Historic St AlbansSun 7 2.30pm Discover RedbournSun 7 2.30pm Coaching InnsSat 13 2.30pm Fishpool Street - Rags & RichesSun 14 11.00am Historic St AlbansSun 14 2.30pm A Monastery RevealedSat 20 2.30pm A Roman City Revealed Sun 21 11.00am Historic St AlbansSun 21 2.30pm Aristocrats, Paupers & PhilanthropistsSat 27 2.30pm Fishpool Street - Rags & RichesSun 28 11.00am Historic St AlbansSun 28 2.30pm Medieval LivesMon 29 11.00am Historic St AlbansMon 29 2.30pm There's More to the Tudors...

SEPTEMBERSat 3 2.30pm A Roman City Revealed Sun 4 11.00am Historic St AlbansSun 4 2.30pm Victorian St AlbansSun 4 2.30pm Discover HarpendenSat 10 2.30pm Fishpool Street - Rags & Riches*Sun 11 11.00am Historic St Albans*Sun 11 2.30pm Coaching Inns*Sat 17 2.30pm A Roman City Revealed Sun 18 11.00am Historic St AlbansSun 18 2.30pm Aristocrats, Paupers & PhilanthropistsSat 24 2.30pm Fishpool Street - Rags & RichesSun 25 10.00am A Round with Sam RyderSun 25 11.00am Historic St AlbansSun 25 2.30pm There's More to the Tudors...

OCTOBERSat 1 2.30pm A Roman City Revealed Sun 2 11.00am Historic St AlbansSun 2 2.30pm Victorian St AlbansSat 8 2.30pm Fishpool Street - Rags & RichesSun 9 11.00am Historic St AlbansSun 9 2.30pm Medieval LivesWed 12 8.00pm Ghosts and GhoulsWed 26 8.00pm Ghosts and Ghouls**Thurs 27 8.00pm Ghosts and Ghouls**Fri 28 8.00pm Ghosts and Ghouls**Sat 29 8.00pm Ghosts and Ghouls**Mon 31 7.00pm Ghosts and Ghouls**Mon 31 7.30pm Ghosts and Ghouls**Mon 31 7.30pm Haunted Harpenden**Mon 31 8.00pm Ghosts and Ghouls**Mon 31 8.00pm Haunted Harpenden**Mon 31 8.30pm Ghosts and Ghouls****Halloween Ghosts and Ghouls and HauntedHarpenden are 'ticket only'. Tickets will be on salefrom 1st October from the Tourist InformationCentre, Harpenden Town Hall and website. Cost £5

NOVEMBERWed 9 8.00pm Ghosts and GhoulsFri 11 10.50am Street War MemorialsSun 13 10.50am Street War MemorialsFri 25 8.00pm Ghosts and Ghouls

DECEMBERWed 7 8.00pm Ghosts and Ghouls

JANUARY 2017Sun 1 11.00am Historic St Albans

Discover the lurid past of Roman Britain’s third city, revolting Celts and a fireto rival the Great Fire of London. See the hypocaust, the Roman centralheating system not surpassed in England until the last 40 years and part of theRoman wall. Visit the unique Roman Theatre where Roman acting was verymuch part of the activities. MEET OUTSIDE THE VERULAMIUM MUSEUM.There is an additional charge of £2 to enter the Roman Theatre.

Why is our city called St Albans? Why was the clock tower built? This interactivehistoric walk is for families of primary school age children. As we walk aroundthe centre of St Albans we look at the old buildings often built for differentpurposes than they are used for today and hear tales of people from the past.

From Henry VII to Elizabeth I, an era of unprecedented social, religious andpolitical change. How did the dissolution of our powerful monastery impact onthe people of St Albans and its economy? You may be surprised as to how manyof the 16th century buildings have survived – though some may be in disguise!This delightful walk brings Tudor St Albans and its people into vivid focus.

A Monastery Revealed - New for 2016Our city owes its existence to the monastery, which was once the mostimportant in England. From Dedication to Dissolution, powerful Abbotscontrolled the town, the lives of its people and of course the monks. How didthe people live under this rule, and what was daily life like for the monks? Findout as we walk from the town and round the abbey precincts where oncestood a mighty establishment …..before it was destroyed by Henry VIII.

Victorian St Albans: a Time of ChangeThe walk that takes us from the medieval to the age of steam, the railways,factories and even the pioneering days of cinema (hear about the first ever filmadvertisement)! This was the age of massive expansion for the town, includinga new prison whose entrance will be recognisable to all fans of ‘Porridge’.

Ghosts and GhoulsAs we explore haunted St Albans, we will visit many places that are noted forsome strange events. Stories of the well known phantoms of the town will berelated by the guide. During this walk you may wonder if we are on our own –who knows! Join us and discover the hidden, ghostly side of St Albans.

2016 Walks TimetableUnless otherwise stated, walks start from the front of the Old Town Hall

*During special events, festivals and holidays we run additional walks and activities - please see our website or contact the Tourist Information Centre for details

Aristocrats, Paupers & PhilanthropistsBased in the St. Peter’s area, you will hear of London orphans and their wetnurses, the philanthropy of Winston Churchill’s ancestors and find out aboutthe “heir and spare”. Why is there an arrow above the Pemberton Almshouseson St Peter’s Street and why is there an unusual milestone in Hatfield Road? Aninteresting stroll around the lesser known historic features of St Albans.

A Round with Sam RyderOur longest walk (about 3 miles) honours the founder of the Ryder cup –surely the most famous sporting contest between Europe and America! Samwas much more than a golfer – benevolent businessman, churchman andpolitician – this walk covers many aspects of the life of this remarkable man!

Full details of our programme and any changes can also be found on ourwebsite www.stalbanstourguides.co.uk

Historic Pubs of St Albans - New for 2016For centuries, the innkeepers and publicans of St Albans have providedhospitality for pilgrims, travellers, market traders and locals alike. This walktraces the changing fortunes of many establishments – some long gone, othersre-invented and those that remain virtually unchanged by time.

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