Long Norman abbey church over Roman Verulamium.
Open accessfree to visit at any reasonable time
Standing remainssubstantial fabric survives to stand in front of
The abbey church came through the Dissolution because the townspeople bought it for a parish church; the Benedictine monastery around it did not. Sir Richard Lee demolished the cloister and chapter house, and their footings lie under the lawns to the south. The church is now the cathedral, with the longest nave in England, Norman piers built of Roman brick carted up from Verulamium, and medieval wall paintings on them. Open daily, no charge, donation invited, services through the week. Abbot de la Mare’s 1365 gateway stands up the hill as part of St Albans School. Ye Olde Fighting Cocks is down in the park.
