We arrived in the city to Spring sunshine to view the flint-clad building with the second longest nave in England.  King Offa built a monastery on the site in 793. The site was an Abbey from 1077 and has held the shrine of St. Alban for 1700 years. Alban protected and hid a priest from the Roman authorities and when caught would not deny his Christianity. He was executed becoming the first English martyr. The tomb is adjacent to a wooden watching room used by the monks. It is thought to be the only surviving example of such rooms.

The Cathedral was designated in 1877 and renovated in Victorian Gothic style by the ubiquitous George Gilbert Scott. The Cathedral also houses a memorial to Pope Aidrian IV who is the only British pontificate to date. The rood screen houses several statutes of modern figures that were repainted in 2015 and are colourful and bright. The screen is ornate and full. There are fine wall medieval paintings’ dating from 1215. The natural paint colours are derived from plants. The scenes feature depictions of St. Christopher. The Lady Chapel dates from 1320. The tall font was added in 1934 and has illustrations on its sides of the four gospel writers.

The shop is light and airy and was well stocked with the usual array of goods including honey, cards and chocolates. There is no charge for entry. Dogs are welcome on a lead including at services.

The Cathedral is working toward Carbon Net Zero and has the Rocha Silver Eco Church award. The congregation are encouraged to lift share or walk or use the bus.  A waste land behind the Cathedral House Offices has been turned into an eco-garden with a pond. Flowers from the garden are used in Cathedral flower arrangements. There has been a pair of adult peregrine falcons nesting on the roof for the last three years. Biodiversity surveys have been undertaken in the Orchard and North Churchyard. There is an Environmental Group and a Social Justice Group plus an active network of ten house groups.

We walked around Verulamium Park, garden and lake returning to the Cathedral for Evensong with choir. After the service we talked to Dean Jo who is the first female Dean we have spoken to on our pilgrimage.