Sunday Walk: Harpenden to St Albans

17.6 km (10.9 miles) Difficulty 3/10
A walk through attractive common land, a fairly new Woodland Trust forest (Heartwood), a quaint country estate (Childwickbury) and, finally, the ancient settlement of St Albans. There you’ll find the abbey (worth a look), one or two Roman remains, and most importantly, the ‘oldest pub in England’. Verulamium museum itself is closed Sundays but the nearby Roman Theatre should be open (£3) Shortly before lunch, there is a large wildflower meadow that, fingers crossed, will be  looking good.
Lunch: There are 3 pubs in Sandridge.
The 17th century Queens Head (tel 01727 855069) at 7 Church End is the usual stop.The menu caters for vegetarians and vegans. Booking advisable.The nearby churchyard would suit picnickers.
The Green Man (tel 01727 854845)at 31 High Street.
The 400 year old Rose & Crown (tel  01727 859739) is at 24 High Street.  A country pub with a beer garden, specialising in cask ales.
Tea     
The suggested tea place is the Abbots Kitchen just inside the Cathedral, which is open daily until 4 pm .
An alternative is Abigails (tel: 01727-8560039) in the Village Arcade in the Cathedral precincts, open daily until 5pm.
Before climbing to the cathedral,  Ye Olde Fighting Cocks (tel: 017227 865830), is one of several pubs claiming to be the oldest in England. Good for beer.
Trains: You want a Thameslink return to Harpenden.
Get the Bedford train from St Pancras at 10:02 arriving 10:31. Calls at West Hampstead 10:08.
There  are 4 trains an hour returning from St Albans City  xx:04 xx:28 xx:34 and xx:58
There is also one train an hour from St Albans Abbey station (xx:41 changing at Watford). A separate ticket is required for that journey. T=swc.351
Directions: here