15 Jun 2026
A vibrant new community exhibition, Abbey Fliers: Celebrating the Birds of the Abbey Line, brings together a diverse collection of artworks inspired by the birdlife found along the Abbey Flyer line between St Albans Abbey station and Watford Junction.
Created through an open call by The Abbey Line Community Rail Partnership (CRP), in collaboration with Collective Gallery, the display features contributions from local residents and artists of all ages and abilities, working across painting, drawing, photography and mixed media.
Each piece captures the character and beauty of the birds that share our urban and natural spaces – from garden favourites to wetland species and birds of prey.
Selected artworks are now on display at St Albans Abbey and Watford Junction stations, and all 147 submitted artworks, including those not physically displayed, can also be viewed online through Collective Gallery.
At a launch event at St Albans Abbey, the Mayor of St Albans Cllr Matt Fisher paid a special visit to officially open the exhibition, celebrating the creativity of the local community and the environmental message.
Abbey Line CRP chair Steve Cavinder said: “We’re incredibly proud to bring Abbey Fliers to our stations and celebrate the creativity of our local communities alongside the natural beauty of the Abbey Line. This exhibition really captures what the line is all about – connecting people, places and nature. It’s wonderful to see so many residents, artists and young people getting involved, and we hope it inspires everyone to look a little more closely at the wildlife around them and take pride in this special route.”
Lee Wood, vice-chair of the Ver Valley Society, environmentalist and exhibition judge, said: “Abbey Fliers is a fantastic celebration of the rich birdlife that thrives along the Abbey Line and a reminder of how important these green corridors are for both wildlife and people.
“The range and quality of the artwork has been truly inspiring, capturing not only the beauty of these species but also the community’s connection to the natural environment. It’s been a privilege to be involved, and I hope the exhibition encourages more people to notice, value and help protect the biodiversity right on their doorstep.”
Adding to the celebration, students from The Marlborough Science Academy created their own complementary exhibition, now on display at the Walkway Gallery at Watford Junction (just off Platform 11).
Visitors are encouraged to explore the exhibitions at the stations, and discover the Abbey Line Trail – a walking route along the line – for themselves.
More information can be found on the websites: abbeylinecommunityrail.org.uk and collectivegallery.co.uk
