The ‘quaint’ city named the UK’s top commuter location in 2026

St Albans has just been named the top city for hybrid workers in 2026 (Credits: Getty Images)

Just 26 miles north of Central London, you’ll find the small city of St Albans.

Its 16th-century cottages, Georgian mansions and Edwardian villas line the quaint, neatly paved city centre streets, and every Monday to Friday it floods with the hordes of commuters looking to make their way into The Big Smoke.

It’s not just a pretty face, either: the Hertfordshire city has just topped a list of the UK’s best commuter locations for hybrid workers, applauded for its green spaces, speedy transport links, and walkability.

The data came from the first-ever International Workplace Group Hybrid Commuter Index, which found that there’s been a fundamental shift in how the workers of today are operating. These days, the traditional 9-5 lot are choosing new digs fairly close to their office, but not too close.

The research found that only 4% of workers are willing to commute for more than an hour to their workplace, while 88% said maintaining the ability to work close to home was a deciding factor in where they ended up.

This isn’t the first accolade St Albans has received, as last year, a study by View Homes deemed it the best city to move to, citing its plentiful transport links, plethora of restaurants and proximity to the capital.

The Hertfordshire city is stunning, but it has its drawbacks (Picture: Getty Images)

On paper, it does sound very alluring. But as someone born and raised there, and who commuted the 20 minutes into London from St Albans City Station every day in her early twenties – I’ll never go back.

Do I love my hometown? Yes (even if 63% of its commuter train services are delayed.)

But there’s a dark reality to moving to the Hertfordshire city that is often overlooked: house prices.

Previously named the most expensive city for first-time buyers outside of London, statistics from Rightmove show that, over the last year, the average asking price for a property in St Albans has been £637,448.

St Albans City Railway Station is where commuters flood from every weekday (Picture: Shutterstock / cktravels.com)

When I moved out of my family home and rented an apartment at the top of the city centre, it was during Covid times and I paid £1,100 per month for a two-bed. Upon moving out of that flat, my landlord upped the rent by hundreds.

My point is; if you’re looking to buy somewhere cheaper outside of London, St Albans is not for you.

There are even roads like Marshal’s Drive, where the average home sells for £2 million. Or, cementing just how pricey it can be, was its appearance on Netflix series Buying London, where the cast visited a property in the neighbouring town of Radlett with an asking price of £15 million.

St. Peter’s Street is the main street in the city centre (Picture: Shutterstock / T H Shah)

It’s for this reason that, on an average salary, I won’t really ever be able to afford to move back to my home city I love so much. It may be idyllic, but it’s a pipe dream.

That said, if you’re fortunate enough to have the funds (good for you), here’s why the area is so popular.

St Albans Girls School is a popular single-sex state school (Picture: Getty)

Schools in St Albans

For families with children, the schools are excellent. I attended Bernard’s Heath Junior School (rated Good by Ofsted) before going to St Albans Girls School (rated Outstanding by Ofsted) – one of the many single sex schools in the area.

The private St Albans High School and the state Loreto College are both girls schools, while St Albans Boys School and St Columba’s College are the boys schools in the area.

If you prefer your child to be in mixed education then there’s Sandringham, which received an Outstanding accreditation from Ofsted, or there’s Townsend Church of England School which was rated Good.

History of St Albans

If we look to the city centre, there’s an abundance of things to keep you entertained, young or old.

Starting with the rich history, you’ll find the St Albans Cathedral perched at the top of the expansive Verulamium Park. With Norman architecture, it’s a shrine to Britain’s first saint and is the oldest site of continuous Christian worship in Britain.

You’ve also got the Verulamium Museum to which I did many school trips, exploring the rich Roman history of the city.

St Albans Abbey or St Albans Cathedral is the oldest site of continuous Christian worship in Britain(Picture: Getty Images)

About a 10-minute walk from here, you’ll find the Roman ruins of the Amphitheatre, which you can explore, or you can venture deeper into the park and find The Hypocaust – an ancient Roman underfloor heating system which has been housed and preserved.

We can’t forget the Clock Tower either, which is the only surviving medieval town belfry in England, built in 1405 with the same bell today which rang out in the first Battle of St Albans in the Wars of the Roses.

Shopping in St Albans

If you’re more of a shopper, you won’t be disappointed, but be warned, the offerings are on the pricier side. You’ve got an Anthropologie, Reiss (which is housed in the old corn exchange), Whistles and The White Company.

George Street boasts gorgeous independent boutiques, while The Maltings has some more affordable options like Sports Direct, along with an Oliver Bonas and a Schuh.

For those who like hand-crafted goods, market days are on Wednesday and Saturday. It also boasts great street food and even has dog treat stands for the mass invasion of pet cockapoos.

When it comes to groceries, there’s of course a Waitrose and a large M&S, while Sainsbury’s and Aldi sit down at the bottom of Hollywell Hill.

Anthropologie sits just across from Reiss and Christopher Place (Picture: Shutterstock / cktravels.com)

Where to eat and drink in St Albans

With more pubs per square mile than anywhere else in the UK, you’ll be pleased with the beer gardens and food on offer here.

The best pubs for a pint are The Six Bells, The Boot and The Blacksmiths Arms, all of which have a great atmosphere – especially in the summer.

You can even amble alongside the lake peppered with swans, and grab a light bite at the oldest pub in Britain: Ye Olde Fighting Cocks.

In Christopher Place, you’ll find Hatch, which will serve you the best breakfast you’ve ever eaten. The Beech House, meanwhile, has a mind-blowing (and affordable) dinner menu and has hosted the likes of Zendaya and Tom Holland.

The Blacksmiths Arms has an excellent beer garden with beech huts and heaters (Picture: Getty)

There’s also the delicious curry house Veer Dhara, which is a favourite of Tom Cruise. I would religiously order Tom’s Murg Tikka Lababdar, which is delicious.

If you’re willing to take a drive for a bite to eat, The Prae Wood Arms on the prestigious Prae Wood estate is also a great spot.

Hungry for a slice of this life?

This article was first published on August 17, 2024.

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