A Drive through Rural Redbourn

Four miles from St. Albans is a village called Redbourn – a village noted as one of the oldest recorded cricketing locations, with cricket having been played on the common in 1666. Despite being only 25 miles from London, Redbourn is a rural community surrounded by farms, fields and natural beauty. The village has been settled at least since Saxon times and it is recorded in the Domesday Book, which suggested a well-established, thriving, agricultural community. Back in the coaching era it was also known as the ‘Street of Inns’, as it had at least 25 pubs and inns along its roads!

The inns ensured many a traveller to Redbourn, and became big business for the village. It also had successful commercial enterprises in watercress production from the River Ver’s water meadows, and a silk mill. Other industries in the village included making straw plait and hat making, and in fact Redbourn Village Hall was formerly a straw hat factory.

Redbournbury Mill – originally a water-driven flour mill, is a short driving distance from Redbourn, and after a ten-year restoration project, is working again and producing organic flour and a wide variety of breads. These are sold at the mill and in local shops and markets (including Harpenden farmers’ market), and are widely used by local restaurants. The mill also runs bakery courses at the mill bakery.

An event which takes place just one mile north of the village of Redbourn is Hertfordshire County Show, which takes place in May each year. This is a great day out for all the family – worth hiring a minibus from St. Albans Car and Van Hire to take a group – with this year’s line-up boasting attractions such as stunt riding, Victorian Theatre, Mr. Alexander’s Travelling Show, Jason Smyth's Adrenaline Tour, National Festival Circus, Devils Horsemen, cattle showing, Titan the Robot, falconry display, and many trade stands.