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St Albans – A guide for the elderly

St Albans is a charming and historic city with a lot to offer both its visitors and its residents – from its fascinating history dating back to the Roman era, to its beautiful parks and bustling markets. In this St Albans guide for seniors, we will go over accessible outings, senior social clubs, and other valuable information to help keep your calendar full of fun activities and accessible places to go.

Explore our live-in care options in St Albans if you think you or an elderly loved one may benefit from the professional support and companionship of a live-in carer. 

What services are available to the elderly in St Albans?

In this go-to guide, you will find information on wheelchair-accessible toilets, local pharmacies, recommendations for outings that are accessible for seniors, and information on senior social clubs where you can meet new friends and participate in activities that match your interests

Senior social clubs in St Albans

St Albans U3A

Curated for people who have retired, this group provides their members with opportunities to explore a range of activities and attend clubs, meetings, and professional talks. With over 120 interest groups, from wine tasting to poetry writing clubs and organised trips and holidays, there’s truly something for everyone. Meetings and talks are normally held twice a month, on Wednesdays at Marlborough Road Methodist Church and on Tuesdays at the YMCA Gym, Russet Drive, Highfield.

To find out more about St Albans U3A, you are more than welcome to join one of the talks. See the U3A website for information on the talks programme. You can also find out more about their interest groups here and learn about their upcoming outings here.

Dementia Fun Club

Located at the Jubilee Centre, this Dementia friendly club in St Albans offers a wide range of group and individual activities such as:

  • Food tasting
  • Poetry readings
  • Singing
  • Debates
  • Quizzes
  • Crafts and carpentry
  • Information sessions

This club meets on Mondays to Friday from 10 am – 3 pm. There is a £25 joining fee and it costs £40 per day.

Homewood Road United Reform Church Groups 

Homewood Road United Reform Church organises and hosts a number of social groups including:

  • Homewood Singers – Meeting between 10 am and 11:30 am on the second and fourth Saturday each month, this singing group learns a variety of serious and fun songs. Those of all ages and musical abilities are welcome.
  • Flower Guild – This ladies’ group weekly arranges fresh flowers for the church.
  • Sewing Group – Meet with others to share your passion for sewing from 10:30 am on the first Thursday of each month.
  • Charity Knitters – Meeting fortnightly on Wednesday evenings, this group knits for charity and uses their funds for worthwhile causes.
  • Cosy Café / Warm Space – Find this space in the Back Hall on Thursday afternoons between 12:30 pm and 3 pm. There is no charge and the wider St Albans community is welcome. You can expect soup, bread, tea and coffee.

Hatfield Road Day Care

This activity group is for older people who live in the Fleetville and Camp areas of St Albans. They meet every Friday in a relaxed and safe environment, ensuring that older people can meet and find companionship. They can also enjoy a range of activities as well as morning and afternoon teas and lunch.

Lions Club St Albans

Join this volunteering club to give back to your St Albans community! Members of the Lions Club have fun and work together to organise memorable fundraising activities. Meetings are held at the St Michael’s Church Parish Centre on the first Monday of each month, from 8 pm to 9:30 pm. Learn more about how to get involved on the Lions website.

St Albans Community Outreach programme

This programme offers a number of community exercise classes and a fun, social, and convenient way to keep active. These classes are gentle and ‘go at your own pace’. To book an activity, simply use the Everyone Active online system. If you are not a member, you can easily sign up for free and then book online.

  • Senior Circuits – Tuesdays 10:30 – 12:00 – Bricket Wood Parish Centre – Low impact moves to achieve a full body workout. Expect cardiovascular and resistance exercises with motivating music.
  • Fitsteps FAB – Thursdays 10:00 – 11:30 – Christ Church, High Oaks – This class is for all bodies as it is lower intensity and slow paces. Perfect for those who want to dance, make friends, and keep fit.
  • This Girl Can – Fridays 10:00 – 10:45 – Cottonmill Community And Cycling Hub – Perfect class for those who have very little experience with exercise and would like to make new friends while trying something new.
  • Forever Fit – Wednesdays 13:30 – 15:00 – Memorial Hall, Wheathampstead  – Have fun with this low intensity, low impact session designed for older adults. These sessions will improve cardio and strength and boost flexibility.
  • Walk for Wellness –  Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre – There are short, medium, and long walks available that start at Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre. These walks allow you to enjoy the sites around St Albans and are timetabled in throughout the year.

Community link 

Held at Marshalswick Baptist Free Church, this is the perfect chance to enjoy a natter over tea and cake. This group meets on Thursday at 1:30 pm.

Community centres and day centres in St Albans

Age Concern St Albans

This local and independent charity provides support to the elderly living in St Albans who may be experiencing loneliness and isolation. They aim to improve the quality of their lives through practical and fun activities including:

  • A varied programme of social activities
  • Subsidised chiropody services
  • A minibus service that provides transport for day centres and for outings

For more information, contact them on 01727 856741 or write to them at info@ageconcernstalbans.org.uk.

Homewood Road United Reformed Church Day Centre

This centre offers social and activity groups for elderly people on Wednesdays from 10 am to 2 pm. Activities include:

  • Scrabble
  • Dominoes and card games
  • Quizzes
  • Games involving hand-eye coordination
  • Exercises to music
  • Coffee mornings

Marshalswick Community Centre 

This community centre is located on the Ridgeway and next to the library and offers the following activities and events:

  • MS Society yoga
  • St Albans Flower Club
  • St. Albans Flower Society
  • Carpet bowls

Jersey Farm Community Centre 

This community centre is located on St Brelades Place and behind the Blackberry Jack Pub and offers the following activities and events:

  • St. Albans Bridge Club
  • Jersey Farm Day Centre
  • Heartbeats Exercise Class
  • The St. Albans Camera Club
  • Tai Chi
  • Carpet bowls
  • Ridgeway Church Community Cafe

Lunch clubs in St Albans

Homewood Road United Reformed Church lunch clubs: 

  • Gentlemen’s Breakfast Club – Taking place four times a year in the small hall to share food, socialise, and to listen to an invited speaker. Members of the group each take turns to act as the chef.
  • Ladies wot Lunch – This lunch club meets three or four times a year to enjoy each other’s company and a nice pub lunch.

Age Concern Lunch Club

Age Concern St Albans offers a lunch club. For more information, email info@ageconcernstalbans.org.uk or call Vicky Crosby, Julie Learning, or Christine Law at 01727 856741.

Caribbean Luncheon Club with Active Lifestyles

Targeting those over 60 years old, this club provides a lovely Caribbean buffet lunch and socialising.

HILS Jubilee Centre Meals Drop-in

This centre runs a drop-in restaurant for older people every Monday through Friday between 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm. There is no need to book in advance and the price is £5.25 for a hot meal and tasty dessert.

Accessible outings for the elderly in St Albans

Below, you will find recommendations for outings that are accessible for seniors, wheelchair-friendly parks, markets, and other local attractions – from a visit to the historic St Albans Cathedral to gentle walks through Verulamium Park. 

Accessible museums and locations of interest in St Albans

Verulamium Museum

This magnificent museum is built on top of one of the largest Roman cities in Britain. It shares mosaics from the ancient city and depicts Roman life through interactive displays, exhibits, and staged rooms. The entrance is wheelchair-accessible and the galleries and shop are all on the same single level. There is also an accessible toilet that can be reached through a lift.

De Havilland Aircraft Museum

A 20-minute drive out from St Albans – this is the perfect outing for those interested in military history. The De Havilland Aircraft Museum is the UK’s longest-established aviation museum. Here, you will find propellers, rockets, aero-engines, missiles, and a number of de Havilland aircraft, such as the ‘Tiger Moth’, that are perfectly preserved. You may also see aircraft being restored during your visit. The main museum is completely accessible for wheelchairs and there is also an accessible toilet available.

St Albans Cathedral

With over 1700 years of history, this local cathedral is not one to miss. The guided tours are free and there is a visually impaired persons tour available that is led by Cathedral guides who have been specially trained by VocalEyes.

Aside from this, the cathedral is mostly on a single level, and there are lifts available and ramps provided by the staff on request for wheelchair users. After a day of exploration, make sure to stop by Abbot’s Kitchen Cafe to enjoy tea or lunch. You may also enjoy the Cathedral Shop which offers a range of gifts and souvenirs.

St Albans Markets

Markets have been at the heart of St Albans since 860, and the market trading tradition stretches back even further – back into the forum of Roman Verulamium. With so much to see and buy, from antiques to fresh produce – this is the perfect outing for elderly people.

  • Charters Market – The St Albans Charter Market is a general market that is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 9 am and 4:30 pm. Here, you will find produce, gifts, homeware, and a selection of international street food.
  • Farmer’s Market – The farmers market takes place on the second Sunday of each month between 8 am and 2 pm. Here, you will find plenty of local food and drink, sustainable arts and crafts, and more.
  • Antiques Market – The St Albans Antiques Market is held on the third Sunday of the month. You can find it in the same location as the Charter and Farmers Markets.
  • Vegan Market –  You will find the St Albans Vegan Market in the same place as the Charter and Farmers markets. For information on the dates and times, see the St Albans Vegan Market’s website.

St Albans green spaces and grounds

St Albans is abundant in green spaces, parks, and stunning grounds – the perfect place for gentle walks, relaxing and enjoying nature.

Knebworth House and Gardens

For a lovely day trip, Knebworth is less than a 30-minute drive away and is set on a stunning   28-acre plot in the Hertfordshire countryside. The gardens feature Edwardian architecture, a maze, a lovely walled garden, and a fragrant herb garden. After exploring the grounds, enjoy a delicious snack in the tea room. In the house itself, there is no lift to the first floor. However, there are wheelchairs for hire in the gift shop and accessible toilets available in the house and the gardens.

Hatfield House Gardens

Visitors to Hatfield House can enjoy the 17th-century gardens, complete with fountains, a sundial, scented flowers, picnic areas, vegetable gardens, and more. If you would like to explore the house, it is fully accessible with lift access to the first floor and wheelchairs available to borrow.

Verulamium Park 

With 100 acres of beautiful parkland, the award-winning Verulamium Park is set near St Albans city centre. It’s named after the ancient Roman city and displays hundreds of objects and artefacts that have been excavated from the area.

Nomansland Common

A lovely recreational area, Nomansland Common is a haven for wildlife and supports a wealth of rare plants and a number of species. This is the perfect location for walking and picnics, and there is even a model aircraft flying area.

Bricket Wood Common 

Bricket Wood common is home to a diverse group of habitats, with ancient woodland, a wet lowland, grasslands, and several ponds and seasonal streams. It’s the perfect place to be immersed in nature, and you may spot an array of wildlife and plants – from butterflies to great crested newts, to bluebells and heath spotted orchids.

Other green spaces in St Albans include: 

Accessible toilets in St Albans

Accessible toilets are available throughout St Albans city and district. See the St Albans council website for a detailed list including their location and accessibility offering. A number of these toilets are accessed with a RADAR key.

St Albans Shopmobility 

Shopmobility is a local charity that aims to support visitors and shoppers in the St Albans area who have mobility issues and are permanently or temporarily disabled. Here, electric scooters and wheelchairs can be hired for free on a daily basis. They are located at the Drovers Way Car Park. Learn more from the Shopmobility website.

Local St Albans Hospital

St Albans City Hospital – Integrated urgent care hub located on Waverly Road.  

Local St Albans Pharmacies  

 

For more guidance for the elderly living in St Albans, see this Citizens Advice local support directory for older people. If you would like more information on how to remain independent and active as you age, see our live-in care options in St Albans.

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