Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
in the garden on sunny days; home-baked bread and homemade marmalade accom-
pany great plates of fruits, cereals, eggs, and toast.
24 Beaconsfield Rd., St Albans, Hertfordshire AL1 3RB. www.wrenlodge.co.uk.
&
01727/855540.
4 units, 2 with bathroom. £34 per person. AE, MC, V. Free parking.
Amenities:
Lounge.
In room:
TV/
DVD, Wi-Fi (free). The lodge is a 15-min. walk from the cathedral and the town center.
Side Trips from St. Albans
The de Havilland Aircraft Heritage Centre
MUSEUM The home of the
vaunted Mosquito, known as the most versatile aircraft of World War II, is a must-see
for aficionados and aspiring pilots. The museum has more than 25 vintage aircraft on
view (the Mosquito among them), including modern military and civil jets such as the
Comet, along with aircraft engines and other memorabilia.
On the grounds of Salisbury Hall (5 miles south of St. Albans), on the B556 to South Mimms, at M25
junction 22.
&
01727/822051.
www.dehavillandmuseum.co.uk. Admission £6 adults, £5 seniors, £4
children 5-16, £16 family ticket, free for children 4 and under. Mar-Oct Tues, Thurs, and Sat 2-5:30pm;
Sun and bank holidays 10:30am-5:30pm. Closed Nov-Feb. Bus: 84.
Hatfield House
HISTORIC SITE This stately Jacobean mansion and its
beautifully manicured gardens make for an alluring day-trip from London or St.
Albans. Built in 1611 by Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury and Chief Minister to
King James I, it has been the home of the Cecil family ever since (the current owner
is the 7th Marquess of Salisbury). Yet Hatfield is more famous for the royal palace
that previously occupied this spot, the childhood home of Elizabeth I. In 1558,
Elizabeth learned of her succession to the throne of England while at Hatfield; the
site of this famous moment is marked by the Queen Elizabeth Oak.
Indeed, though only the banqueting hall of the first palace remains, it is the Eliza-
beth association that gives the house much of its appeal. The queen's gloves and a
pair of her silk stockings are on display, and the Marble Hall contains the celebrated
“Rainbow Portrait” of Elizabeth. The
State Rooms
contain the most important paint-
ings, furniture, and tapestries. More recently, the house served as Lara Croft's stately
home in movies starring Angelina Jolie.
The
Hatfield Banquets
are staged with much gaiety and music in the banqueting
hall of the Old Palace on Fridays from 7 to 11:30pm. Guests share long tables for a
four-course feast with continuous entertainment from a group of players, minstrels,
and jesters. Wine is included in the cost of the meal, but pre-dinner drinks are not.
The menu isn't particularly medieval, and you're granted the (modern-day) luxury of
knives and forks. The entertainment is a bit cheesy and the banquets are very touristy,
but they are lots of fun and packed every night. The cost of the banquet starts at £50.
Call
&
01707/262055
for details.
6 miles east of St. Albans on the A414.
&
01707/287010
for information. www.hatfield-house.co.uk.
Admission house and park £9 adults and seniors, £5.50 children 5-15; park only £3 adults and seniors,
£2 children 5-15. House Easter-Sept Wed-Sun and bank holidays noon-5pm (last admission 4pm);
park and gardens 11am-5:30pm. Closed Oct-Good Friday. From St. Albans, take the A414 east and fol-
low the brown signs that lead directly to the estate. Bus: Take the university bus from St. Albans City
Station. Hatfield House is directly across from Hatfield Station.
Shaw's Corner
HISTORIC HOME The great Irish playwright and socialist
George Bernard Shaw lived in this peaceful ivy-smothered house from 1906 to 1950,
knocking out all his best work in the small revolving shed in the garden (including
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