Redbourn
Redbourn is in the St Albans District of Hertfordshire.
Understand
Redbourn is a village and civil parish in Hertfordshire, England, lying on Watling Street, three miles (4.8 km) from Harpenden, four miles (6.4 km) from St Albans and five miles (8 km) from Hemel Hempstead. It lies within the City of St Albans local government district.
Get in
The village is easily accessed by road and is just off the M1 at junction 9. Bus routes that serve the village are the 34 from St Albans / Dunstable (Centrebus), 46 from Hemel Hempstead / Luton (Centrebus), 657 from Hatfield (Uno) and 307 from Harpenden (Red Eagle).
Get around
It is easy to walk around the village. Alternatively a good option is to cycle.
See
Rich in history having been settled since Saxon times Redbourn has lots to see. With its location on the famous Roman Watling Street, during the coaching era, Redbourn was known as the "Street of Inns", with at least 25 pubs and inns at its peak, sadly only a few are left. A must see is picturesque Church Street and parish church St Mary's.
- 1 St Marys Church, Hemel Hempstead Road, AL3 7DU. St Marys is a grade one listed parish church. The church dates from the 12th century with the oldest parts being the nave and west tower with the north aisle being added around 1140 and the chancel in 1340. Further addictions added include the south aisle in the mid 14th century then the south chapel and porch between 1444 and 1455 and the clerestory around 1478. Free.
- 2 Redbourn Common (The Common) (Located in the centre of Redbourn between the High Street and Church End). A Common of semi-natural grassland mainly used for recreation and walking. An avenue of lime trees crosses the Common and there is also a wildflower meadow. Other features of the common include: an enclosed children’s playground, war memorial, cricket ground and the River Red. A free car park is available on the Common (next to the Cricketers Pub). Fairly flat with paved paths so most parts are suitable for wheelchairs, scooters and prams except for by the children’s playground (steep slope) and car park (uneven surface and ditch or mound to go over to get to main tree lined path).
Do
From discovering more about rich history at the museum, exploring the many country walks to visiting the Redbournbury Mill there is lots to do during a visit to Redbourn.
History
- 1 Redbourn Village Museum, Silk Mill House, The Common, AL3 7NB, ☏ +44 1582 793 397. Feb - Nov: Sa Su 2-5PM. The museum exhibits a whole range of interesting items from Stone Age to the present day. Free.
- 2 Redbournbury Mill, Redbournbury Lane, Redbourn Road, St Albans AL3 6RS (off of the A5183 in the hamlet of Redbournbury between St Albans and Redbourn), ☏ +44 1582 792 874, enquiries@redbournburymill.co.uk. Sa 9AM-1PM, Su 2:30-5PM (4PM winter). Redbournbury Mill originally a water-driven flour mill on the River Ver. It is a Grade II listed building. Redbournbury Watermill is a working mill that produces stoneground organic flours from locally grown grains. Free.
Walks and cycling
- 3 Nickey Line (Nicky Line). The course of the Harpenden to Hemel Hempstead branch railway that once linked the towns of Hemel Hempstead and Harpenden via Redbourn. Most of the railway has been redeveloped as a cycle and walking path that opened in 1985. It is part of Route 57 of the National Cycle Network (the Oxford to Welwyn Garden City route) and is about eight miles (14 km) long.
Sports
- Redbourn Cricket Club, North Common, St Albans, AL3 7DB (On Redbourn Common). It is said that cricket matches have been played on Redbourn Common since 1666 AD and this being the earliest report of the game in the country. A relaxing and enjoyable weekend afternoon watching the cricket in the English sunshine (we hope).
Annual events
- 4 Hertfordshire County Show (Herts Show), The Showground, Dunstable Road, AL3 7PT (300 m from the M1 Junction 9), ☏ +44 344 850 2122, info@hertsshow.com. Takes place annually in May/June on Sa/Su 8:30AM-5:30PM. This annual event organised by the Hertfordshire Agricultural Society the show traces its way back and started as a ploughing match and has been running for over 130 years. The show is a chance to see traditional skills that keep our countryside beautiful as well as support local traders. From bird displays, parade of cattle, entertainers, pony derby and vintage farm machinery - The show offers a full days entertainment for the whole family. Parking is free. Adult £19, child £9 (under 5's free), senior £17 (over 60).
- Redbourn Firework Display. Takes place annually in Oct/Nov. The annual Redbourn Firework Display is held on Redbourn Common. Scaled back and smaller than it used to be in the past it remains an entertaining evening for the whole family. There is a funfair and many local charities selling food and hot drinks. Due to its popular nature parking difficult and roads around the common very busy. Free (with a collection bucket for local good causes).
Buy
Redbourn was mainly a farming community, in the past it was known for watercress growing (River Ver), jam making, silk throwing, straw plait/hat making and milling flour. Redbournbury Mill reopened after being restored and mills stoneground organic flours from locally grown grains. Redbourn has three convenience stores NISA Weymans - with Post Office (High Street), Co-Op (High Street) and Handy Stores (in Lybury Lane). A Pharmacy (Crown Pharmacy) and Opticians (Redbourn Eye Care) are located in the High Street.
- 1 Redbournbury Mill Bakery, Redbournbury Lane, Redbourn Road, AL3 6RS, enquiries@redbournburymill.co.uk. Sa only 9AM-1PM. The mill bakery was built in 2005 within one of the barns in front of the mill and produces a wide range of breads all baked from the mill’s stoneground organic flours. Bread baked at Redbournbury boasts the lowest possible “food-miles” with the grain grown, milled and baked all within two miles of the mill.
- 2 The Bike Loft, 70 High Street, AL3 7LN, ☏ +44 1582 742900, into@thebikeloft.co.uk. With the popularity of cycling in, around and through Redbourn this is a handy bike sales, servicing and repair shop. Staffed by cyclists with professional experience in the UK and Europe and years of working with racing, sportive, leisure and commuting riders.
Eat
There are a number of places to eat in Redbourn from snacks and cakes, pub lunches, takeaways and evenings out. See Drink section for more information on Redbourns pubs.
- 1 Jennie’s Sandwich Bar (Jenni's), 18 High Street, AL3 7LJ, ☏ +44 1582 794 595. Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays. A sandwich shop mainly used for local workers for lunch. A good option for those visiting or coming through Redbourn on walks / cycling (saves having to carry a packed lunch all day).
- 2 The Hub Coffee and Cyclists Refuge, 22 High Street, AL3 7LL, ☏ +44 1582 792389, hubmeister@hubcoffeebikes.com. 8:30AM - 4:30PM. Independent coffee shop open to all (not just cyclists). Serves coffee, cake and other refreshments. Well behaved dogs allowed. Parties of more than 6 are advised to book ahead.
Drink
Redbourn had been known as the "Street of Inns" having been a stopping place for horse drawn coaches. At its peak, Redbourn had over 25 pubs/inns but these have declined over the years, leaving just four.
- 1 Hollybush Inn, Church End, AL3 7DU, ☏ +44 1582 792 423. Noon-11PM. A traditional local pub that serves food. Beer Garden great for sunny summer days & fire for winter days.
- 2 The Cricketers, East Common, AL3 7ND, ☏ +44 1582 620612, info@thecricketersofredbourn.co.uk. M-Th noon-11PM, F Sa noon-midnight, Su noon-10:30PM; food: M-Th noon-3PM 6-9PM, F Sa noon-3PM 6-10PM, Su noon-4PM. A traditional pub serving guest ales and a mixture of wines and spirits with a more contemporary restaurant attached. Outside tables overlook the common which is great on hot summer days. Car park sits alongside our pub with additional parking on common/cricket club. Baby changing facilities available.
Sleep
- 1 [dead link] St Agnells Farm, Lybury Ln, ☏ +44 7934 013075. Bed & Breakfast