Verulamium Park’s Roman wall cleared for first time in 15 years

Volunteers from the Friends of Verulamium Park have begun clearing vegetation from the Roman wall, the most prominent surviving remains of the Roman town of Verulamium.

Last week, 20 members cleared roughly 50 metres of the wall’s 300 metre main stretch.

The work is painstaking: moss is stroked away with gloved fingers and heavier growth cut back by hand, leaving anything rooted into the structure untouched to protect the masonry.

Built in the mid third century, the wall survived the medieval demolition of the Roman town, when building materials were taken for use elsewhere in St Albans, including the Cathedral. Preserved and stabilised many years ago, it was last cleared of vegetation around 15 years ago and has since become heavily overgrown with moss, brambles and ivy.

Clearing the wall has been a prime objective for the Friends since the group formed. Owned by SADC, cared for by English Heritage and part of a Scheduled Monument controlled by Historic England, training and approval were required before a single stone could be touched.

Chair of the group Bill Free said: “The Friends of Verulamium Park are really pleased to have made a start on clearing the Roman Wall. Getting training and approval has been a lengthy process and many more work parties will be needed, but we hope park visitors already appreciate the difference.”