Reviving History at the Duke of St Albans

The Story of a Pub

During the week my parents came to visit, we explored more than ten pubs, trying to learn a little something about each one. Honestly, most of their stories are quite similar—most opened between the 15th and 18th centuries and had at least a fleeting connection to Charles Dickens.

However, there was one pub not far from our home with an extraordinary story. The Duke of St Albans opened its doors in 1859, but over time, it fell into decline due to the influx of new venues nearby and ultimately closed in 2008. For a long while, a Greek restaurant and a wine shop occupied its place.

With no pubs left in the area, the locals grew nostalgic—they longed for a place where families could gather. Over time, they succeeded in obtaining a license to revive the pub, and thanks to the Grace Land Group, a network dedicated to bringing lost pubs back to life, the Duke of St Albans reopened just a year ago, retaining its original name!

Once you learn about its fascinating history, you can't help but notice the interior, which is quite fresh while also embracing a vintage charm.

I love stories like this, where people unite for a common cause.

📍Duke of St Albans