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 30 people, including the leader.
A morning stroll following the banks of the Ver through country to the south of St. Albans, returning via Park Street village and southern suburbs. We will see some historic ruins and areas along the way, from Roman to Tudor.
We begin the walk in the heart of Roman Verulamium, the Roman settlement that predates modern St. Albans. We follow the river southeast past some residential areas, pausing for a snack stop at the ruins of Sopwell House on the grounds of Sopwell Nunnery. The ruins date from the reign of Henry VIII and the nunnery from the 12th century.
Continuing along the river path, we cross a disused railway, proceeding southeast past the former Sopwell mill. Now out in the country, the river path heads southwest past fields and through water meadows, before crossing the river into Park Street village.
We then follow Watling Street, originally a Roman trunk road, back towards St. Albans, leaving it to follow a series of footpaths and alleyways through the St Julians and St Stephens areas back to Verulamium Park and the end of the walk. We will pass the remains of part of the Roman town wall and the southern gate near the end of the walk.
After the walk there is an optional visit to one of the pubs in the nearby Tudor St Michaels area of the city for a post walk drink.
As this walk follows a river valley in February, parts may be wet and muddy, so good walking boots are recommended.
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: If you would like to join, you must book in advance using the Stag Walkers Meetup group - see Notes for how to book & what to bring. If you are unable to attend, please cancel your booking so that someone else can take your place.
Please do not turn up for a walk without booking, as places are limited.
Unless you opt in to further communications, we will only use contact information you provide to get in touch about the walk.
Please car-share or use public transport if possible. To offer a lift or ask for one from a fellow walker, please use the Meetup event page.
This is a circular walk.
Please be aware of the walk grade: walks are graded Easy, Leisurely, Moderate or Strenuous
Use our Meetup group to book your place on the walk: https://www.meetup.com/StagWalkers/
Book your place via the Stag Walkers Meetup group by clicking the ‘Attend’ button on the event page. If the walk is full, click ‘join waitlist’ and you will be added if a place becomes available. If you’re on the waitlist, please check back regularly to see if you have been added to the attending list.
Please:
DO NOT book onto a walk unless you are pretty sure you will be able to make it.
UPDATE YOUR RSVP. We understand ‘life happens’ so if you need to change your RSVP please do this at least 24 hours before the walk and before booking closes to enable someone else to take your place.
DON’T NO-SHOW on the day unless it is absolutely unavoidable (we do understand ‘life happens’) because it prevents others from enjoying a walk if it is fully booked.
*TAKE NOTE that if you no-show and/or cancel after the booking closing deadline three times, without extenuating circumstances, we will decline further bookings from you for a period of six weeks.*
Bring a packed lunch/snacks and drinks, appropriate clothing for the conditions and optionally a basic first aid kit.
We are a Ramblers group, non members are welcome to try us out for two or 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 become a full member. 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.
Westminster Lodge Car Park, 33 Westminster Court, St. Albans, AL1 2DX. Meet by the entrance to Westminster Lodge leisure centre. Parking costs £3 up to 3 hours, £5.50 up to 4 hours. St. Albans City Station is a 30 minute walk, and St. Albans Abbey Station (for trains from Watford) is a two minute walk. Local buses stop at the nearby St Albans Abbey Station stop.
