Today, I am taking my Steemian friends to the cultural splendour of St Albans.
This popular landmark is a thriving Hertfordshire-based city brimming full of history and charm. Home to the lavish and well-known St. Albans Cathedral, it's history dates back over 1000 years. A lot it clearly shown in it's beautiful architectural designs and features.
St Alban Market
St Albans is a 20 minute train from London's St Pancreas and runs regular services throughout the day. On arrival alongside the main shopping area, there are shops and cafes as well as the bustling market place it is renowned for. It spans almost the entire length of St. Peters Street and is open every Wednesday and Saturday with over 160 stalls in operation.
St. Albans market offers a diverse range of goods from fresh local fruit & veg to fancy gifts on offer. You will be no doubt be spoilt for choice when you get there, lol. St. Albans market is actually the largest of its kind in the South East of England. A great place for trade, whatever you are looking for. It even has some great places to eat!
I love the farm stalls with their tasty cheese selections, seasonal fruit and vegetables options, fresh herbs and top quality meat and dairy produce! All produced and supplied by their local farms! And very good for your money too, such as five large and juicy oranges for only a pound!
The olives on display featured a variety of colours and made my mouth water. Their colours varied depending on which country they originated from. This particular olive stall sells 16 different types of olive, including the famous Spanish Manzanilla, Greek olives with feta, Italian, French pitted varieties and Moroccan! Talk about trying to appease for every taste possible! You are also welcome to try a few before buying which in turn is a great strategy for attracting decisive customers!
The bakery stall is also outstanding. They produce a range of handcrafted breads to cater for a wide range of dietary requirements. And all baked from their very own organic flour at the local mill. Selections include white, brown, wholemeal and rye loaves in addition to baking their own British plain and fruit scones, tea cakes and soft rolls.
I found particular interest in one stall selling vintage marble coasters. They had a nice range of different options available to choose from with theme relating to sport, transport, football and vintage cars. I loved the old-fashioned look and feel to them! A great handmade product and cool gift for someone too.
The Medieval Clock Tower
Just down the hill from the market, there is the medieval clock tower which was built in back in the fifteenth century. It is the only example of its kind in the country. To get up to the top of the tower, there are 93 steps in total but only takes a few minutes to climb. There is quite a nice view of the city from up there. Its doors are open to the public between the months of April to September.
The Game Workshop
St. Albans also plays host to many smaller independent retail outlets, including personalised gift shops and boutiques. There was one certain shop that got my attention and that was The Games Workshop.
The Games Workshop caters to fans of the popular fantasy-based series of board games and also sells miniatures figurines for painting and designing. Being a little bit of geek myself, this is a great store for all things "Warhammer 40,000" related and everything in-between, lol! The artwork and craftsmanship that went into producing these amazing pieces really is staggering. What a fantastic shop. Just wish there were more of them, lol. :)
In addition to selling their main trademark merchandise, they offer advice to people wanting to get into the creative painting aspect of it and also run tutorial sessions for kids of all ages. Look at all the fun they are having, "play-battling" at the store!
今天，我要带Steemit的朋友们来参观美丽的圣奥尔本斯并且了解它辉煌的历史文化。
圣奥尔本斯位于英国南部的赫特福德郡城市，离伦敦约30公里。这个美轮美奂的城市，有着悠远的历史。著名古老的大教堂也座落在此，其历史可以追溯到一千多年前，成为了象征城市的标志之一。
圣奥尔本斯市场
圣奥尔本斯距离伦敦圣潘克莱斯（St Pancreas）火车站大概是20分钟车程，全天有多班次服务。火车直达圣奥尔本斯的主要购物区，商店，咖啡馆以及著名的繁华市集。这里的市集有近一千年历史。它位于市中心圣彼得大街，每周三和周六开放，共有160多个摊位。
圣奥尔本斯市场是英国南部中最丰富多彩的市集之一，品种繁多，从新鲜的当地水果和蔬菜，到居家用品以及精美礼品，让人目不暇接。还有不少小吃档口哦！
我尤其喜欢这里的农贸摊位，有时令水果和蔬菜，香料和优质的肉类以及乳制品。 所有这些都是由当地农场生产的，而且价格也很便宜，五个新鲜多汁的大橙子才一磅钱！
橄榄摊档也相当受欢迎，橄榄各种各样的颜色，令人垂涎欲滴。听说橄榄的颜色取决于他们来自哪个国家。这里大概出售有15，16种不同类型的橄榄，有来自希腊，意大利，法国和摩洛哥等等，口味各不相同。店主很热情，主动让游客尝试，是招揽生意的好策略哦，呵呵！
面包摊位也很有特色。他们根据市场需求制做的一系列手工面包，很受欢迎。面包看起来非常新鲜，有白色，棕色，全麦和黑麦等选择，还有英国的传统糕点。
我特别感兴趣的是一个出售杯垫的摊位。他们的杯垫都是用天然大理石制成，画面主题是与运动，足球和车有关。我很喜欢他们那种怀旧复古的风格，作为礼物送朋友最适合不过了。
中世纪的钟楼
离开市场才走了几分钟，我们就看到了一座建于十五世纪高高的钟楼。 这是英国唯一的，保存原样的一个钟塔。钟塔每年四月至九月对公众开放，要爬上塔顶，总共有93个台阶。从塔顶上眺望可以看到整个小镇的景色。
游戏作坊
圣奥尔本斯的商业街有出名的英国连锁店，也有不少独立零售店，包括服装店，日用品店和精品店。 有一个商店引起了我的注意，那就是游戏作坊（Games Workshop）。
游戏作坊是专门迎合喜欢热门棋盘游戏的粉丝们，同时还出售各种迷你小雕像以及一系列的涂料和用具。我也是一个游戏迷，这里有所有关于游戏“战锤40，000”的产品。制作这么精细的手工艺品，还真不简单！我算是大开眼界了，真希望有更多这样的店，呵呵。
店里除了出售主要的商品以外，他们还为喜欢创意涂画的游戏迷们提供课程和导师，还不时举办游戏活动。看这些孩子们聚精会神地上涂料，完全融入了自己的世界里！
