IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
High Street, ST. ALBANS, AL3 4EW

A change in tempo from the streets outside.

Alloro is situated behind the shop down a passageway. I thought that their food and service was very good when I visited.

Perhaps the shortest High Street in the country, being less than 100m long. Historically, it formed part of the main route out of St Albans to the northwest, originally through its extension along George Street, and later along Verulam Road, following the building of this improved route by Thomas Telford in 1825. The buildings on the left now are occupied by the Cote Brasserie. Prior to 2009 it was a pub, The Vintry, with the nearer part previously being a Barclays Bank. They are grade II listed - see www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1103128.

The accompanying information board explains the significance of the horse chestnut tree behind. It was grown from a conker that had come from one of the few surviving trees on the First World War battlefield at Verdun. The tree was planted in 1976 to mark the 60th anniversary of the battle.

It is known that there has been a gate here, connecting the cathedral and the town, since at least the 15th century although it was reconstructed in the 18th. The name derives from the production of candles in the alley for the use of pilgrims coming to the shrine of St Alban.

Part of a line of buildings at the top end of Holywell Hill, 18th/19th century replacements of earlier buildings. In the centre is no 6, now housing an estate agency, flanked by nos 8 and 4. All three are locally listed.

Two days after the announcement of the date for the 2010 General Election, the candidates boards are being mounted on Holywell Hill, St. Albans.