The Six Bells, St. Albans

The Six Bells is apparently the only modern pub situated within what was the old Roman city (if you can call 16th Century modern) and whilst it is a decent stroll from the current city centre, it is well worth the effort. The pub was extended in the mid 70’s and further enlarged in 1994 (a Roman bathhouse was revealed during some of the alterations) but still has an Olde Worlde charm with low sagging ceilings, settles, plenty of beams and pillars, brasses and sudued lighting. An inglenook wood fire.dominates the nain bar area with a few firearms mounted on the wall that were originally used to control vermin on the local estate (we are talking about a 100+ year old rat problem here rather than modern local ASBO punishments!). The ale selection isn’t over-extensive with 5 pumps; Pride, Landlord and Oakham JHB being the regular ales with 2 rotating guests (Tring Royal Poacher and Addlestones Cider on my last visit) and the pub has recently won the South Hertfiordshire CAMRA Pub of the Year so you can expect quality to be consistently good. There are no TVs or games machines that I noticed but a small side room away from the bar does contain a dart board. They have regaular quizzes, occasional live music and other community events and I even recall a Carol singers session being advertised during a Christmas visit a couple of years bac. Overall, the Six Bells is quite a charming and welcoming pub that has been, and will no doubt remain, a regular visit on our St Alban’s pub crawls.

Official site of the Six Bells, contains menu, wine and beer lists - www.the-six-bells.com

The Six Bells is a wonderful looking building and clearly has some age and history to it. It claims to be the only pub within the walls of old Roman Verulamium and an old Roman Bath House was discovered during excavations in the 1970's. Inside it's very well presented with a massive open fireplace being a focal point. I generally visit on a Sunday lunchtime when it gets very full so it can be difficult to find somewhere to sit and the service can be a bit fraught. There is a decent selection of real ales.

Official site of the Six Bells, contains menu, wine and beer lists - www.the-six-bells.com

what a great little pub. Full of charm. Great food. Lovely bar staff. Nice little seating area in the garden. Quiz night on sunday, just right for getting your brain in gear for the week ahead. (If you like that sort of thing). Bands play most weeks. The beers pritty special too. Also searves a good pint of cider. Not just ya average pub.