43km (27 miles) NW of London; 66km (41 miles) SW of Cambridge

Some 2,000 years old, today's cathedral city of St. Albans was named after a Roman soldier who was the first Christian martyr in England. Medieval pilgrims made the trek to visit the shrine of St. Alban, and visitors today still find the ancient cathedral city and the surrounding countryside inspiring.

Peter Rabbit was created in this county by Beatrix Potter, and George Bernard Shaw found inspiration in the view from his countryside home near Ayot St. Lawrence. As you explore St. Albans and nearby attractions, you'll tread in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth I and Henry VIII, who passed through before you.

Although today industry has crept in and greater London keeps getting greater and greater, St. Albans is situated at the center of what was known as "the market basket of England." The 1,000-year-old tradition of the street market continues as merchants of every kind set up colorful stalls to display their goods. Held on Wednesday and Saturday, it's one of the largest in the southeast.