Verulamium Park, King Harry Lane, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL3 4SW

Roman Wall of St Albans

Roman

Source image

6.7

Wildland

Under 1 hour

Time

Free

Cost

Atmospheric

Feel

ParklandHistoric townHistory loversWalkersFamilies

Why it's Wildland

6.7

Built between AD 265 and 270 to defend Verulamium, the wall once formed a two-mile circuit around one of Roman Britain’s major towns. Its surviving masonry still reaches four metres in places.

This is not a complete standing city wall, but its surviving sections, tower foundations, bastions and London Gate make Roman Verulamium unusually tangible in the middle of a modern city. Pair the remains with the wider park or museum to give the fragments their original context.

Atmospheric · Historic

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Verulamium Park, King Harry Lane, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL3 4SW

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The experience

Visit the surviving Roman wall remains in Verulamium Park, then use the museum or a walk through the park to understand the scale of the city they once defended.

Things to do

Trace the surviving wall

Explore the remains of a defensive circuit that can still be traced for much of its two-mile length.

Allow around 30–60 minutes; estimate only.

Look for the wall’s surviving structures

See whether you can identify the remains of London Gate and the foundations of two towers and bastions.

Continue to Verulamium Museum

Explore Roman finds, large-scale mosaics and recreated Roman rooms at the museum in Verulamium Park.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · Allow around 30–60 minutes; this is an editorial estimate, not an official visit duration.

Quick Escape: Find the surviving wall

01
Visit the Roman wall remains at King Harry Lane during daylight.
02
Look for the surviving masonry, tower and bastion foundations, and London Gate remains.
03
Take care on steep slopes and uneven surfaces.

Half day · Half day; allow time for the wall, park walk and museum visit.

Make a half day of Roman Verulamium

01
Start at the Roman wall remains.
02
Walk across Verulamium Park towards Verulamium Museum; English Heritage describes this as a 10-minute walk from the museum car park to the wall.
03
Visit Verulamium Museum to see Roman finds, mosaics and recreated Roman rooms. Check its current opening hours and ticket information before travelling.

Verified history

English Heritage dates construction of the wall to AD 265–270, when it was built to defend the Roman city of Verulamium. The original circuit was two miles long. Though much lower than its former height, surviving sections still reach four metres; the remains include foundations of two towers and bastions and London Gate. English Heritage says the wall can still be traced for most of its circuit.

Hidden details

London Gate — English Heritage identifies the remains of London Gate among the surviving features of the wall.

Foundations of towers and bastions — The defensive circuit survives not only as stretches of wall: English Heritage also notes foundations of two towers and bastions.

When to go

· Daylight, in accordance with English Heritage access guidance.

English Heritage gives daylight access guidance but no seasonal restriction or specific best month. Dry conditions may help with the steep slopes and uneven surfaces.

Steep slopes and uneven surfaces are noted by English Heritage. Take care in wet or slippery conditions.

Worth pairing with

Verulamium Museum

A strong Roman-history pairing: the museum has finds from Verulamium, mosaics and recreated Roman rooms. English Heritage says its car park is about a 10-minute walk from the wall across the park.

What to look for

Look for sections of masonry reaching up to four metres, the surviving foundations of two towers and bastions, and the remains of London Gate. The wall’s original two-mile circuit can still be traced for much of its length.

The story

Roman; archaeology

Best time to go

All year in daylight; choose a dry day for easier footing on uneven surfaces.

Visit during daylight, as English Heritage advises. A dry day may make the uneven surfaces easier to manage.

How long to spend

Under 1 hour

Perfect for

History lovers · Walkers · Families

Before you go

Website Google Maps

Address

32 King Harry Ln, St Albans AL3 4AU

Website

english-heritage.org.uk

Listed hours

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Check before visiting.

Google rating

4.4 · 33 reviews

Practical information

Opening & access

English Heritage describes the wall remains as open at reasonable times during daylight and free to visit. Surfaces are uneven and some slopes are steep; check current information before setting out.

Check before visiting

Parking

Limited on-street parking is available close to the remains on King Harry Lane. English Heritage also identifies a pay-and-display car park at Verulamium Museum, around a 10-minute walk away across the park.

Toilets

Toilets are among the facilities in Verulamium Park; check current availability before visiting.

Check before visiting

Food & drink

A café is among the facilities in Verulamium Park; check current availability.

Check before visiting

Dogs

Dogs on leads are welcome, according to English Heritage.

Accessibility

The source record reports a wheelchair-accessible entrance. English Heritage warns of steep slopes and uneven surfaces, so this does not establish that the full site or surrounding paths are wheelchair accessible.

Cost

Free