Sopwell's history

This section describes what we have found out about Sopwell's history.

Everyone knows that St Albans is steeped in history. There are many published works on our Roman forbears, the Abbey, the churches, the market etc. but equally Sopwell can boast of having several places of historical interest e.g. St Stephen’s Church, Sopwell Priory. and the railway. The start of the St Albans Abbey to Watford Railway opened in 1858 is in Sopwell and what was the St Albans Abbey to Hatfield railway closed by Dr Beeching is now the Alban Way.

Most of the area which is covered by Sopwell was once farmland so much of the history of the built up area is from the early 1900s onwards.