The Cock, 48 St Peter’s Street
“Before I was built this land had served as a field hospital in the second battle of St Albans. People were really excited when bones were found in my cellar as they thought they were from casualties of the battle but it turned out they were animal bones, no doubt left over from the kitchen!
No-one is quite sure whether I was built in the 16th or 17th century but there is a record from 1663 that lists George Barnes as my innkeeper. I was a fairly humble establishment compared with the large inns that were on the main road from London. Nevertheless, I was a well-known local landmark – the road now called Hatfield Road was originally named after me – ‘Cock Lane’ and there was a nearby pond on the green – ‘Cock pond’. I catered for locals at the northern end of town and people coming to market.
Over time, I have been owned by several brewers but unlike some other buildings in the town I still serve the same purpose for which I was originally built. My appearance hasn’t changed much over the years – you can still see my original timber frame and I still provide a warm welcome for locals stopping for food and drink.”
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