We’ve just returned from St Alban’s South Signal Box as part of Heritage Open Days 2011. We’ve gone by it countless times on the train ‘down to London’ as they say but we had no idea that it’s open to the public. In fact, it’s open every second Sunday of the month. Do check the website for a full list of opening times.
‘Early in 2002 a group of St Alban’s residents decided that the signal box at the end of their road had been left to decay for 25 years too many.’
I highly recommend a visit. It’s one of those hidden gems in St Alban’s. I’m by no means a train spotter but I found it very interesting and my husband and daughter were enthralled. We listened to a short talk about the restoration which included a demonstration of how it would have worked in action and then the kids got a chance to pull the levers, which would turn the signals on in the garden.
There’s also a historical exhibition on the ground floor and the gardens are lovely.
Do you know any other local gems I should look out for?