Park of the week

170. Verulamium Park

This park, in St Albans, is named after the Roman city of Verulamium, the third largest city in Roman Britain, on which it stands. There had been a settlement there, Verlamion, the capital of the territory of the Catuvellauni tribe that the Romans conquered in CE43. Large sections of the Roman city wall are still intact.

In 1923 the site was the first of its kind in the country to be listed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and is now protected under law. The local authority acquired Verulamium Park from the Earl of Verulam in 1929.
Archaeological excavations were undertaken in the park during the 1930s by Sir Mortimer Wheeler and his wife Tessa, during which the 1800-year-old hypocaust (underfloor and in-wall heating) and its covering mosaic floor were discovered. The Hypocaust Mosaic is on view to the public in a purpose-built building in the park; it was decided that it was better to leave it where it was rather than try to move it. On the outskirts of the park is Verulamium Museum, open Monday-Saturday, which contains hundreds of archaeological objects relating to everyday Roman life.

The park holds both the Green Flag and Green Heritage Site awards.

A main feature is the ornamental lake created in the 1930s after the excavations, home to many distinct species of water birds and supporting an island heronry. There’s also a model boating lake. Wildlife habitats are enhanced by the use of trees and meadows, which are important for insects, birds, and bats. From the park there’s a good view of St Alban’s Cathedral and Abbey Church, constructed in 1077, in part using bricks from the former Roman town.
The River Ver flows through the park. This chalk stream is a tributary of the River Colne. It’s partly a winterbourne – I had to look this wonderful word up, and it means a river that’s dry in the summer months. 

The park has a play area, splash park (open from May to September), golf and crazy golf, café and toilets and a car park.

Judith Field

Verulamium Park, St Michael's Street, St. Albans AL1 3JE