Sopwell Nunnery

Walking across the fields east of St Albans, you'll stumble upon the ruins of Sopwell Nunnery - or rather, what's left of them. Founded in the 12th century, this Benedictine priory sat beside the River Ver and housed nuns for centuries before Henry VIII's dissolution shut it all down. Today you're looking at fragmentary stone walls and earthwork remains that require a bit of imagination to piece together, but that's rather the point with medieval archaeology.

It's genuinely free and accessible, which is refreshing. The site itself is modest - expect to spend 20 minutes wandering around rather than hours - but the setting is pleasant enough, with decent walking paths connecting it to St Albans proper. History buffs will find it worthwhile, particularly if you're already visiting the cathedral in town. Families with younger kids might find it underwhelming; there's not much hands-on engagement here, just stones and grass.

The real appeal is layering this into a wider St Albans walk. You could combine it with the cathedral, the nearby Verulamium Park, and the town centre's medieval street pattern. If you're staying at one of the caravan parks within a few miles - Frogmore Park or The Mimms are closest - it makes an easy morning excursion before heading to busier attractions. Go midweek if you can; weekends bring the St Albans day-tripper crowd. Wear decent shoes; the ground can be boggy after rain.