Whether you’re heading to St Albans for a fun family walk, a day of shopping or simply a good, old-fashioned knees-up with your mates, there are lots of friendly, comfortable and interesting pubs to enjoy a delicious bite to eat and a relaxing pint or two.
To help you to choose the right one for you and your travelling companions, here are five of the best pubs in St Albans.
Prae Wood Arms
Dating back to 1838, The Prae Wood Arms is a big, beautiful and airy country pub in St Albans. Situated a little out of town on the Gorhambury Estate, it’s a good choice if you’re looking for tasty gastropub fare, with the kitchen offering a changing seasonal menu served up in inviting yet stately dining areas – some of the best in the city.
A great option for summer days or pub trips with kids, the Prae Wood Arms has a huge beer garden with lots of benches and sun umbrellas.
Ye Olde Fighting Cocks
Ye Olde Fighting Cocks is St Albans’ oldest pub, with foundations that, staggeringly, date back to 793 CE, while the current building dates to the 1000s.
So named after the activity popular during the 1800s, today the pub is a great place to eat and drink close to the city centre, offering plenty of local beers on top of hearty pub food. The interior has plenty of open fires for wintry pub trips, and a big, bright outdoor seating area is always bustling during summer.
The Six Bells
Situated close to Verulamium Park, The Six Bells is a characterful, welcoming, and dog-friendly St Albans pub with a history stretching back to the 16th century, making it one of St Albans’ oldest. If you’re heading on a walk around the city, it’s hard to beat!
The tavern serves up lots of guest ales from the region and has hearty lunch, evening and Sunday lunch pub food menus into which to dig, as well as a popular curry night – perfect if you’re staying in St Albans for a few days.
Great Northern
Big in the community, the Great Northern pub has a buzzy atmosphere and plenty of tasty dishes to enjoy all through the week, lunch through dinner. Its wine list is also chock-full of great options for all tastes.
It’s been the recipient of all sorts of awards and, as well as a public bar and dining rooms indoors, has a big garden with an outdoor bar for enjoying sunny weather with a pint or a plate of tasty pub food. If you’re heading to the cinema next door, the pub is a great venue for a pre-showing meal – though maybe try to save some room for popcorn!
The White Hart Tap
The White Hart Tap is a great local St Albans pub that prides itself on its beer selection, menu and fun, welcoming ambience. Here you’ll find plenty of classic pub meals to enjoy throughout the day and into the evening, and the venue hosts a popular quiz night every Wednesday at 9pm.
If you enjoy real ales, you’ll love the taps on offer – recent beer launches at the White Hart Tap include brews by Cloudwater and St Austell Brewery. And if you’re of the feline persuasion, be sure to keep an eye out for the pub cat, Paddy (supposedly a big fan of the open fire as the nights grow longer!).
Enjoy St Albans’ historic pubs with Thameslink
With our list above, you’ll be able to find some of the best pubs in St Albans, offering delicious gastro menus, local drinks, and welcoming atmospheres. Whether you’re coming from London, Peterborough, Luton, Cambridge or any other destination in the south, Thameslink is here to help to get you to your table.
Book now – get your tickets online and find a pub in St Albans that ticks all your boxes!