04 Nov 2025
A new exhibition is inviting people to step back in time to the late 19th century, when St Albans was home to nearly 100 commercial drinking establishments.
With one of the highest densities of pubs per square mile in the country, St Albans is renowned for its wealth of historic hostelries – some dating back centuries – and its uniquely varied, characterful drinking scene.
Inspired by the 1884 verse The City Pubs, composed by ‘Baron’ Martin, the Inns and Alehouses exhibition at the Museum + Gallery uncovers the stories behind the city’s vibrant drinking culture. The lively composition lists 92 drinking locations – all within a one-kilometre radius of the museum – many of which are brought to life through stories, objects, photographs and Victorian memorabilia.
Curator David Thorold said: “Of the 92 establishments mentioned in the verse, 30 are still open today – and remarkably, St Albans has about the same number of pubs now as it did 200 years ago. It’s a testament to how well our pubs have adapted and stood the test of time.”
The exhibition shines a light on St Albans’ diverse venues – from bustling beerhouses to cosy taverns – and explores the social and cultural forces that shaped their fortunes as the city moved into the 20th century.
Throughout the Victorian age, these inns and alehouses faced pressures from rapid social, cultural, and economic change. Improved road links brought more travellers through the town, but fewer stayed overnight as journeys became faster. The arrival of the railways diverted trade elsewhere, while new licensing laws saw an explosion of smaller, locally focused establishments. By the century’s end, the rise of the Temperance Movement sought to reduce or even end alcohol consumption altogether.
This exhibition explores how St Albans’ publicans and innkeepers navigated these challenges, revealing the resilience and ingenuity that defined the city’s pub culture in this period.
SADC arts, tourism, heritage and culture manager Farhana Begum explained: “Inns & Alehouses in Victorian St Albans deepens our understanding of the city’s rich and
complex past, exploring the places where people gathered to work, celebrate and connect.
“Through this exhibition, we’re able to reflect on how those social spaces helped shape the city we live and work in today – and invite visitors to see familiar streets and buildings in a new, thought-provoking yet delightful way.”
Sean Hughes, landlord of battlefield pub The Boot in Market Place, added: “Pubs have always been at the heart of the St Albans community – places where people have gathered, shared stories, and raised a glass to life for centuries. It’s fantastic to see an exhibition that shines a light on this rich pub history.”
Inns & Alehouses in Victorian St Albans runs from November 28 to March 15 in the Keeper’s Galleries.
