Verulamium Park

Verulamium Park is a park in St Albans, Hertfordshire. Set in over 100 acres of beautiful parkland, Verulamium Park was purchased from the Earl of Verulam in 1929 by the then City Corporation.

The park is named after the Roman City of Verulamium on which it stands. The City walls and outline of the main London Gate can still be seen. Archaeological excavations were undertaken in the park during the 1930s by Sir Mortimer Wheeler and his wife Tessa, during which the 1800 year old hypocaust and its covering mosaic floor were discovered. The hypocaust mosaic is on view to the public and currently protected from the elements by a purpose-built building in the park. On the outskirts of the park is Verulamium Museum, which contains hundreds of archaeological objects relating to everyday Roman life in what was a major Roman City.

A main feature of the park is the ornamental lake. Construction started on this project during 1929 gave much needed work to the unemployed of St Albans during the depression. The lake is fed by the River Ver. The lake is home to a wealth of waterbirds, including Mallards, Swans, Herons, Great Crested Grebes, Coots, Pochards and Tufted Ducks.

The northeastern edge of the park abuts St Albans Cathedral and St Albans School, the northwestern edge abuts St Michael's Church, and the southeastern edge abuts St Columba's College.

External links

[http://www.fvp.org.uk/about.html Friends of Verulamium Park website]