Jobs in St Albans | Pictures of St Albans

St Albans has a number of claims to fame. The city is named in honour of Britain's first Christian martyr who was beheaded in AD324; it was the home of the first – and only – native English-speaking Pope, Adrian IV; and the city claims to have the highest concentration of pubs per square mile in Britain.

Add its status as the most expensive city to live in the UK outside London to the mix and you have the makings of a truly historic yet cosmopolitan and modern city that offers a unique lifestyle and a highly desirable place in which to live and work.

Getting around St Albans
Commuting to the city centre is not without its problems, but then where is? Traffic congestion on the main approach roads is a common characteristic given the fact that the city is centrally located at the edge of the North Orbital Road and the M1, A1(M) and M25 motorways that connect the city with the rest of the region. But once you navigate the morning traffic there are around 14 car parks centrally located that provide short- and long- term stay for 2,800 cars.

As for public transport, the City train station is located a ten-minute walk from the main centre with services to and from Harpenden, West Hampstead, Radlett and St Pancras International. Whereas the region is well-served by bus with all major routes passing through the main bus station on St Peter Street, just off Hatfield Road, which connects St Albans to Hatfield, Hertford, Welwyn Garden City, Luton, Dunstable, Stevenage, Harlow, Watford, Rickmansworth, Uxbridge and Heathrow Airport. Most of these routes are operated by Arriva, Uno and CentreBus.

Eating, drinking and shopping in St Albans
Being the most expensive place to live in Britain outside London , you may assume that the city's wealth extends to its shopping offering. And you would be right. With a range of speciality boutiques and independent retailers that rub shoulders with major stores and international names, with the twice-weekly market added to the mix, St Albans has a vibrant retail centre that has a number distinct areas.

St Peter's Street is the main shopping high street in the city and home to a number of familiar stores such as BHS, HMV, Jigsaw, Waterstones and Marks & Spencer. And more of the same can be found in the two small shopping centres, Christopher Place and The Maltings, where you will find the likes of The Body Shop, H & M and French Connection.

But of you are looking for something different, the Cathedral Area is dominated by smaller, independent stores offering everything from art supplies and children's wear to fashion boutiques and sports shops.

When you need a breather, St Albans has many pavement cafes, bars and restaurants that add to the cosmopolitan atmosphere in the city, and all are within shouting distance of one another. Indeed, St Albans has more than enough to satisfy the taste buds of even the most ardent of gastronomes, with an impressive portfolio of dining options ranging from traditional pub grub and bistro-types to international cuisine and fine dining.

Building on the city's long tradition of being a stop-off point for travelers to and from London , its choice of pubs and bars isn't too bad either. Boasting one of the highest number of pubs per square mile in the country. St Albans has one of the best collections of drinking establishments in the South of England and conveniently, most of them can be found alongside the restaurants and shops in the city centre. Ye Olde Fighting Cocks is reputedly the oldest pub in England where Messrs Drake and Cromwell enjoyed a few nights, and this pub easily justifies its place on your list of places to go.

But if you are looking for a more sobering form of entertainment, the city's live entertainment scene is provided by a number of venues in the area, including the Alban Arena, Abbey Theatre and The Maltings Arts Theatre for dance, drama, film, live music, musicals and opera. Whereas St Saviour's Church hosts a number of concerts by the Albans Symphony Orchestra, St Albans Chamber Choir, St Albans Chamber Opera and The Company of Ten – an amateur performance group.

The city's cultural experience is enhanced by the Museum, Verulamium (the name the Romans gave the place before the time of St Alban himself) Museum & Roman Ruins and the striking Cathedral that dominates the city's skyline, which are all noteworthy places to go if you have time on your hands. Whereas the Gardens of the Rose and the soon to be completed Butterfly World on the city's southern outskirts, are also worth a visit.

When it comes to sport, St Albans is one of the healthiest cities in the UK. Indeed, a survey conducted by Sport England revealed that residents of the city were the 9th most active in England in sports and other fitness activities. There are 4 public leisure and sports centres along with a bevy of private health and fitness clubs, including Canon's and Fitness First. But if you lean toward watching rather than participating, St Albans FC, Centurions and Hockey are the main spectator teams in the area. Or you could simply jump on the train and be at Twickenham, the Emirates, Stamford Bridge or White Hart Lane in no time.

Main residential areas
House prices here are among the highest in the UK. This is partly due to the city's natural attractiveness but predominantly due to its location between the M25, M1 and A1(M) motorways, which make it a key commuter town for people working in the capital.

If you're thinking of moving to the area, take a look at some of the current property available to buy or let in St Albans.

Take a closer look
A picture is worth a thousand words. You can see some images from in and around St Albans below.

Looking for local vacancies? See all current jobs in St Albans or find out more information on the local area.