With quaint, winding streets and picturesque properties, St Michael's village may be the prettiest residential area in St Albans. We found out more about this historic Herts hotspot...
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 was built on the Law Courts of the Roman City of Verulamium, and 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 is the ideal place to learn more about the city's history, with its recreated Roman rooms, collections of coins and large-scale mosaics.
The area has a rich history. In Fishpool Street alone there were once 11 inns and public houses, as well as several factories which assembled straw hats, the parts of which were plaited by local women.
Leisure
There are more than 100 acres of land which make up Verulamium Park, which contains some of the remains of old Verulamium, the third largest city in Roman Britain, including large parts of the historic city wall.
In addition to the educational and recreational attraction of the park, visitors can also make use of the nearby Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre or the adiZone outdoor gym.
Meanwhile the splash park and the recently revamped play area offer an appealing option for young families.
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 two-bed terraced house on Blacksmiths Lane for £550,000 and a three-bedroom terraced house for £875,000.
Education
St Michael's C of E School was established in 1876, and is a one form entry primary school with a Christian ethos.
The school is spread between two sites on St Michael's Street, and was rated 'good' by Ofsted at its most recent inspection.
Secondary school options for local children include Marlborough (rated 'good'), St Albans Girls' School (rated 'outstanding') and the 'good'-rated Verulam, a boys' school which takes girls in the sixth form.
Independent alternatives in the area are St Albans School and St Columba's College.
Food and drink
St Michael's Manor is a four-star hotel set in five acres of grounds, which has 30 bedrooms for guests and its own lake. The hotel is one of the most highly regarded places to eat or stay in St Albans.
The original house is more than 500 years old, and was first converted into a hotel in the 1960s.
The Lake Restaurant is open to people who are not staying at the hotel, and offers breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner in either the grand indoor setting, outside on the terrace, in the garden or by the lake.
St Michael's winding streets are also home to a variety of eating and drinking options, all of which fit into the intimate feel of the village.
The Six Bells on St Michael's Street is a proudly dog-friendly pub, which dates back to the 15th century.
It offers a fine selection of ales and home-cooked food, which is best enjoyed beside the fire or in the beer garden.
Fishpool Street is home to The Lower Red Lion, a 17th century pub and B&B with seven rooms available for overnight stays and a menu of hearty homemade food.
A more recent addition to the village is The Waffle House, which dates back to 1978. However the Kingsbury Watermill where it is based dates from the 16th century.
The menu consists of a variety of sweet and savoury dishes, and diners are seated with a 'first come, first served' policy.
Verulamium is also the home of the Inn on the Park café, while the historic Ye Olde Fighting Cocks - said to be the oldest pub in Britain - borders the park on Abbey Mill Lane.
