Area Guide: The historic St Michael's area of St Albans

History  

St Michael's was one of the three churches founded by the Abbot of St Albans Abbey, and parts of the building are believed to date back to the 10th century.

The church, which was built on the Law Courts of the Roman city of Verulamium, contains many interesting features - including a monument to Sir Francis Bacon, who had asked to be buried in the church.

St Michael's is also home to Verulamium Museum, which explores the city's Roman history through recreated Roman rooms, collections of coins and large-scale mosaics.

Verulamium Museum (Image: Alan Davies)

The St Michael's area has a rich history. In Fishpool Street there were once 11 inns and public houses, as well as several factories which made straw hats, the parts of which were plaited together by local women.

Leisure  

Verulamium Park is made up of more than 100 acres of land, which contains some of the remains of old Verulamium - the third largest city in Roman Britain - including large parts of the historic city wall.

Visitors to St Michael's can also make use of the nearby Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre.

Meanwhile the splash park and the recently revamped play area offer plenty of fun for young families.

Verulamium Park (Image: Archant)

Property 

The chocolate-box charm of St Michael's doesn't come cheap, and there are few bargains to be had in the area. 

Homes currently on the market in the area include a five-bedroom end of terrace, grade II listed house on Fishpool Street for £2m and a four-bedroom terrace house - also on Fishpool Street - for £1,650,000. 

Education  

St Michael's C of E school is a one form entry primary school with a Christian ethos, and was established in 1876.

The school is spread across two sites on St Michael's Street, and was rated 'good' at its most recent Ofsted inspection.

Secondary school options nearby include Marlborough (rated 'good'), St Albans Girls' School (rated 'outstanding') and Verulam (rated 'good'), a boys' school which accepts girls in the sixth form.

Independent options in the area are St Albans School and St Columba's College. 

(Image: Archant)

Food and drink  

St Michael's Manor is one of the most highly regarded places to eat or stay in St Albans. A four-star hotel set in five acres of grounds, the venue has 30 bedrooms for guests and its own lake.

(Image: Archant)

The original house is more than 500 years old, and was first converted into a hotel in the 1960s. 

People who are not staying in the hotel can still visit the Lake Restaurant, which offers breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner in either the grand indoor setting, outside on the terrace, in the garden or by the lake.

There are also a variety of eating and drinking options in St Michael's winding streets, all of which fit into the intimate feel of the village.

The Six Bells on St Michael's Street dates back to the 15th century, and is a proudly dog-friendly pub - with a fine selection of ales and home-cooked food which can be enjoyed beside the fire or in the beer garden.

Fishpool Street is home to the 17th century pub the Lower Red Lion, which offers a menu of hearty homemade food.

Ye Olde Fighting Cocks (Image: Newsquest)

A more recent addition to the village is The Waffle House, which dates back to 1978. The Kingsbury Watermill where it is based is significantly older, dating from the 16th century.

The Waffle House's menu features a variety of sweet and savoury dishes, and diners are seated on a first come, first served basis.

Verulamium is also the home of the Inn on the Park café, while the historic Ye Olde Fighting Cocks - often said to be the oldest pub in Britain - borders the park on Abbey Mill Lane. 

Verulamium Park is also the venue for Tom Kerridge's popular food and drink festival Pub in the Park, which returns for three days from Friday, September 6 to Sunday, September 8.

This area guide is sponsored by Frost's, which has offices in St Albans, Harpenden, Wheathampstead and Marshalswick (Image: Frost's)