We’re a Ramblers group aimed mainly at people in their 20s, 30s and slightly older, offering led walks and social events across Herts, Beds and south Cambs.
This walk is for up to 25 people, including the leader.
Join us on Alban Day to walk the Alban Way!
This is one of an occasional series of walks exploring rail trails in our area. As well as railway heritage, today’s walk gives us the chance to enjoy a dramatic tale from St Albans’ Roman history; every year on Alban Day, a procession of giant puppets tells the story of Alban, Britain’s first saint, who lived in the town when it was the Roman settlement of Verulamium. After the parade, we’ll follow the Alban Way along the route of the former Hatfield and St Albans railway, now a pleasant tree-lined path and wildlife habitat for most of its length.
Please note this is a linear walk from St Albans to Hatfield. There is a twice-hourly bus service linking the end point and the start. If driving, we recommend parking in Hatfield then taking a bus to the start of the walk.
The walk is fairly flat and mainly on surfaced paths through town and countryside. The easy terrain should make this a suitable route for any walkers accustomed to half-day walks who’d like to try a slightly longer route.
We’ll meet in front of St Albans Civic Centre at 10.30 in time to see the Alban Day parade set off from St Peter’s Church at 11am. We’ll follow the procession of Roman soldiers, chariots and lions down St Peter’s Street to the old Town Hall then onwards to St Albans Cathedral. The event culminates at the Cathedral Orchard with a re-enactment of Alban’s execution and of a strange fate which is said to have afflicted the executioner.
After leaving the Alban Day drama, which is scheduled to finish at 12pm, we’ll reconvene outside Ye Olde Fighting Cocks (supposedly one of the oldest pubs in the country). From here we’ll make our way alongside the River Ver through Verulamium Park, then head through the streets to the start of the Alban Way.
Along the trail we’ll pass over and under bridges, along embankments and through cuttings, and see various reminders of the railway, including former station buildings and the lovingly restored platform at Nast Hyde Halt. We can also spot some modern sculptures erected along the trail.
We’ll take a couple of short detours from the Alban Way, firstly for a packed lunch break at Longacres Open Space and then across an arable field to the hamlet of Sleapshyde, where we’ll have a mid-afternoon pub stop at The Plough.
After the walk there’s the option of a post-walk drink at the Horse & Groom pub in Old Hatfield, a few minutes’ walk from Hatfield railway station.
Dogs are welcome on a lead.
For information about walking with the group, including our dog policy, please visit the Stag Walkers website.
Booking your place: Please book your place using the free Meetup website/app. Join the Stag Walkers Meetup group and click the 'Attend' button on the event page.
Please do not turn up for a walk without booking, as places are limited.
If the walk is fully booked, please click 'join waitlist' then please check back regularly as you will likely get a place. The waitlist gives priority to single bookings so if you wish to bring a guest, we recommend booking separately.
Unless you opt in to further communications, we will only use contact information you provide to get in touch about the walk.
This is a linear walk.
The start time is when we aim to start walking and the finish time is an estimate.
Walks are graded Easy, Leisurely, Moderate or Strenuous in increasing order of difficulty. Please read the walk description to check it is within your abilities and contact the group if you are unsure.
Please:
We are a Ramblers group, non-members are welcome to try us out for three free walks before joining Ramblers as a full member.
As a charity we ask that non-members consider making a voluntary donation to Ramblers until they purchase membership. We suggest £3-4 per walk. You can donate in person or online.
The Ramblers’ Association is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Company registration number: 4458492. Registered Charity in England and Wales number: 1093577. Registered office: First Floor, 10 Queen Street Place, London EC4R 1BE.
Hatfield railway station, 79 Great North Road, Hatfield AL9 5AB. Parking £3.30 in the multi-storey car park. Take Arriva bus 724 at 09.46 from Stop 5 (in front of the station) to St Albans. Single bus fares are capped at £3.
Civic Centre, St Peters Street, St Albans, Herts, AL1 3JE. Meet in front of the entrance. Local parking is expensive so we recommend drivers park at the end point of the walk in Hatfield and take the bus to the start.
Hatfield Railway Station, 79 Great North Road, Hatfield AL9 5AB.
