Experience and enjoy excellent real ale and much more at
Traditional pub in the heart of historic St Albans
A PROPER BACK STREET BOOZER
Originally a grocer’s and butcher’s shop during the 19th-century, the Farriers became a pub in the 1920s and has since achieved legendary status.
A classic back-street local, the pub was tied to McMullen’s of Hertford for many years but became a free house in 2013. It is the only pub in the city never to have forsaken cask ale, and a plaque on the wall outside marks it as the location of the first meeting of the Hertfordshire branch of CAMRA.
The split-level interior has a small area fronting the bar for stand-up drinking, sports TV, darts and cards. The back room has more seating for eating and another sports TV..
Heritage Plaque Unveiling Celebration
THURSDAY 16TH APRIL – 6PM – 7PM
The Farriers Arms pub was the location of the first branch meeting of CAMRA anywhere in the UK. The meeting was of what was then called the Hertfordshire branch of the Campaign for Real Ale and it took place on 30th November 1972. CAMRA subsequently grew into one of Europe’s biggest and most successful consumer organisations, with branches all over the UK and a membership base in six figures.
Some years ago, a blue plaque was erected to commemorate this moment in history, but it is now suffering from wear and tear. So local CAMRA members have raised money for a new plaque, and this will be unveiled in a special celebration – at which we expect to welcome some of those CAMRA activists from the early days of the Campaign, more than five decades ago.
Everyone is welcome to come and be a part of this special event, raising a toast to a wonderful St Albans pub and to the campaigning spirit that all began there.