Accessible Britain
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If you’d rather go sightseeing, head for St Albans Cathedral (01727 860780, www.<br />
stalbanscathedral.org), just south of the high street. Home to the shrine of St Alban<br />
(<strong>Britain</strong>’s first saint), the building encompasses an exuberant blend of architectural<br />
styles, from its Norman tower and medieval chapels through to the Victorian<br />
restorations and twentieth-century Chapter House. Wheelchair access is via the West<br />
Doors or the Slype; once inside, disabled provision is excellent, including ramps to<br />
otherwise inaccessible areas, a lift to the Shrine Chapel, Braille guides, induction loops<br />
and an adapted toilet.<br />
Southwest of the cathedral, a pleasant walk through Verulamium Park – about a<br />
quarter of a mile on firm, level paths, with some rest benches along the way – takes you<br />
to the Verulamium Museum (01727 751810, www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk), which<br />
tells the story of the important Roman city that once stood on the site now occupied<br />
by St Albans. Stunning Roman mosaics, bronze figurines and other archaeological<br />
treasures are beautifully displayed alongside recreated Roman rooms and interactive<br />
touch-screen exhibits. The museum is fully accessible, with three Blue Badge bays in<br />
the adjacent car park and an on-site accessible toilet. With advance notice, touch tours<br />
can be booked for visitors with visual impairments.<br />
Elsewhere in town, attractions worth looking out for include a medieval clock tower,<br />
the remains of a Roman theatre, the delightful Municipal Gardens and the elegant<br />
Georgian town hall, on Market Place, which is also home to the city’s tourist information<br />
centre (01727 864511).<br />
Disabled drivers can park for free for two to three hours in on-street pay-anddisplay<br />
spaces, and there are a number of car parks with Blue Badge bays around town,<br />
including the centrally located Drovers Way car park, off Catherine Street. This is also<br />
where you’ll find the St Albans Shopmobility Scheme (01727 819339), where you can<br />
hire wheelchairs and powered scooters. In general, getting around the compact town<br />
centre is fairly straightforward, though some of the older streets are very narrow, and<br />
THE SOUTHEAST<br />
St Albans Cathedral<br />
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