St. Albans and the River Ver (6 Miles / 9.5 km, Leisureley, Booking Required)

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.