This is a longer walk, taking in some countryside, for the more energetic pub explorers - but if you are less mobile, you could consider travelling some of the stops by taxi or bus instead.
To the east of the Midland Railway line, St Albans developed a wide variety of industrial activities in the 20th century. Aircraft manufacturing (driven by De Havilland in Hatfield and Handley Page in Radlett), electronics (Marconi), hosiery (Ballito), light engineering, ship design and a host of others including Sanders Orchid Nurseries. Fleetville is so called because the area was developed around the Fleet Print Works and The Camp from the military training camps held in the area. These developments overwhelmed what had been a rural area, but created and left some interesting pubs.
Starting at The Speckled Hen 🅐. Originally the Bunch of Cherries, it was first a Whitbread pub opened in 1948 and housed in two remodelled sheds. The current building replaced these in 1963 and is now owned by Greene King.
WALK 25 minutes. On leaving the Speckled Hen, turn left into Hatfield Road, right into Colney Heath Lane, then at the mini-roundabout right into Hill End Lane. At the next mini-roundabout bear left into Hixberry Lane with the school on your left. You will find that the road soon becomes a track, and this leads all the way to the village of Tyttenhanger. At the end of this track, turn right and you will find The Plough at Tyttenhanger 🅑.
Worth visiting to see the large and amazing collection of over 1,600 bottled beers, pump clips, beer related posters and the idiosyncratic beer mats. Deservedly busy rural free house with an ever-changing range of guest beers, including several Fuller's regulars. Excellent value food is available on Saturdays and Sundays. The large garden, offering lovely views, has children's play equipment and there is a conservatory/family room. Friendly dogs are welcome in the evenings and there are bike racks provided for cyclists.
WALK 25 minutes. On leaving the pub turn left and walk through the village, then at the end of the road turn right into Highfield Lane. Continue in a straight line, keeping the football pitches on your right until you eventually reach a mini-roundabout. Cross the road here and follow a footpath leading to Drakes Drive. Turn right into Drakes Drive, then left into Camp Road. Just after you pass the Organ Theatre and Camp Primary School on your left, you will see College Road on your right, which is home to the Royston Club 🅒.
Situated in College Road, the club was established in 1936 as the College Club. Renamed The Royston Club it is a very popular CIU affiliated Social Club with a good range of cask beers. Regularly featured in the Good Beer Guide and multi-award winning South Hertfordshire CAMRA Club of the Year.
WALK 7 minutes. On leaving the club turn left, then left again into Cambridge Road. At the fish and chip shop, turn right into Sutton Road and follow this until you reach The Old Toll House 🅓.
Until recently the pub was known as The Rats Castle prior to a major refurbishment. The original name was said to have arisen when the previous building on the site - a toll house - was demolished and thousands of rats poured out around the workmen.
The Old Toll House is a large, lively and welcoming community local in a traditional saloon bar style - re-opened in 2025 after a brief closure, a significant refurbishment and a change of name. With several TV screens, a pool table (which is free on Mondays), dart boards, juke box and fruit machines, this is one of few pubs left in St Albans that focus on the drinker and shun the food trade. The building has a later extension and internally it is decorated stylishly including many photographs of old St Albans. There is a small patio at the rear for outdoor drinking in warmer weather, complete with an exterior TV screen for sports matches. The pub is keen to stress its dog-friendliness and resident dog Ted has his own Instagram account! Located next to a large Morrisons supermarket, the pub is handy for a quick pint while waiting for a bus from the well-served stop just outside. Two real ales are typically available and there is a loyalty card scheme meaning every sixth pint purchased is free.
WALK 12 minutes. Walk along Hatfield Road with Morrisons on your left. You will then pass the former CAMRA HQ building and a cemetery (both on your left) before reaching The Crown 🅔.
Once a hotel close to the Midland Station it is now a large and busy pub that would not look out of place in Liverpool or London.
