As lockdown restrictions ease across the country and the sun shines over the Easter holidays, the 'Stay at Home' advice has been has been replaced with a 'Stay Local' plea, meaning that people can more freely explore the area around them.

Here are 20 reasons to make the most of where you live as rules slowly (but surely!) relax.

1. Firstly, St Albans is home to bucket loads of heritage and history

Herts Advertiser: St Albans CathedralSt Albans Cathedral (Image: Alan Davies)

2. It's everywhere!

Herts Advertiser: St Germain's Block in Verulamium Park, St AlbansSt Germain's Block in Verulamium Park, St Albans (Image: Maya Derrick)

3. The buildings are beautiful...

Herts Advertiser: St Albans Museum + GallerySt Albans Museum + Gallery (Image: Elyse Marks)

4. ...and colourful!

Herts Advertiser: Donnington House, St Peter's Street, St AlbansDonnington House, St Peter's Street, St Albans (Image: Maya Derrick)

5. The city centre and surrounding areas are extremely green

Herts Advertiser: Clarence Park, St AlbansClarence Park, St Albans (Image: Matt Adams)

6. ...with plenty of places for kids to play

Herts Advertiser: Cllr Anthony Rowlands at the new playground at Verulamium Park.Cllr Anthony Rowlands at the new playground at Verulamium Park. (Image: Archant)

7. If you're a fan of sport, you'll find some great venues to catch local teams at play

Herts Advertiser: St Albans City Football Club will shut down for 10 days after reporting two positive COVID-19 tests.St Albans City Football Club will shut down for 10 days after reporting two positive COVID-19 tests. (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

8. And if fancy going for a walk, run or cycle, you're in luck. There's tonnes of places to go, or travel along!

Herts Advertiser: The stretch of the Alban Way which passes underneath London Road, heading towards Camp RoadThe stretch of the Alban Way which passes underneath London Road, heading towards Camp Road (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2017)

9. It's gorgeous in all weathers. In sunshine...

Herts Advertiser: Church Green Park, HarpendenChurch Green Park, Harpenden (Image: Maya Derrick)

10. ...or when it's covered in a blanket of snow

Herts Advertiser: St Albans city centre was a ghost townSt Albans city centre was a ghost town (Image: Cristian Ioja)

11. Fancy yourself as a sunset chaser? You'll find plenty in St Albans

Herts Advertiser: A snowy St Albans Cathedral in the foreground of a blazing red sunsetA snowy St Albans Cathedral in the foreground of a blazing red sunset (Image: Nicky Laitner)

12. Oh, and I forgot to say, it even still looks lovely at night!

Herts Advertiser: French Row, St Albans at nightFrench Row, St Albans at night (Image: Maya Derrick)

13. The villages in and around the district have lots of aesthetic appeal

Herts Advertiser: The St Albans village of MarkyateThe St Albans village of Markyate (Image: Archant)

14. And there are plenty to explore

Herts Advertiser: High Street in Wheathampstead. Picture: Krishan Bhungar.High Street in Wheathampstead. Picture: Krishan Bhungar. (Image: Archant)

15. The houses are picturesque

Herts Advertiser: The White Cottage at Redbourn by Helen CullensThe White Cottage at Redbourn by Helen Cullens (Image: Archant)

16. Fancy a pint? St Albans has a pretty good pool of watering holes

Herts Advertiser: Thomas Maloney and his father Tom at The Victoria pub, St AlbansThomas Maloney and his father Tom at The Victoria pub, St Albans (Image: Archant)

17. With many regularly hosting live music

Herts Advertiser: Music venue The Horn in St AlbansMusic venue The Horn in St Albans (Image: Alan Davies)

18. St Albans district boasts a great variety of local and independent businesses...

Herts Advertiser: Church Green, HarpendenChurch Green, Harpenden (Image: Maya Derrick)

19. ...and restaurants!

Herts Advertiser: Dylans - The Kings ArmsDylans - The Kings Arms (Image: Archant)

What we're trying to say is, St Albans is well and truly ace. If you're local, what's stopping you from exploring the district? You may have to put your St Albans visit on hold if you live a little further afield, but trust us, it's worth the wait!