Manchester St Albans Train

Manchester is a city in the north west of England and is the sixth largest city in the United Kingdom. Manchester is surrounded by the Cheshire Plain to the south and the Pennines to the north and east. Manchester grew as a city as a result of the changes resulting from the boom in the textile industry spurred on by the Industrial Revolution. The city was the world's first industrialised city. To accommodate the increasing levels of trade the Bridgewater Canal was built in 1761 to transport coal. Manchester was also the site of the world's first railway station and is also where scientists first split the atom and developed the first stored program computer.

The city is notable for its architecture, culture, music, media, scientific and engineering output, sports clubs and transport connections. Two large squares contain many of the city's public monuments. Albert Square, outside Manchester Town Hall, has monuments to Prince Albert, Bishop James Fraser, Oliver Heywood, Ewart Gladstone and John Bright. Piccadilly Gardens has monuments to Queen Victoria, Robert Peel, James Watt and the Duke of Wellington.

The city is also home to two of the English Premier League's biggest football clubs: Manchester United Football Club, the most successful club in Premier League history, and Manchester City Football Club.

The cathedral city of St Albans, in Hertfordshire, has a long history dating back to Roman times which can be observed in the city's Roman remains and beautiful medieval architecture. The city has open spaces and is surrounded by beautiful countryside and has many attractions to suit all. In addition to the city's national high street shops, there are many small independent shops, cafes, bars and restaurants for visitors to enjoy. If you are interested in the city's Roman heritage then take a visit to the Verulamium Museum where beautiful objects from the Roman City of Verulamium are displayed. The collection features Roman mosaics and re-created Roman rooms which provide visitors an insight in to the life and times of a Roman city. Remaining with the Roman theme, and just a short walk from the museum, is the Roman Theatre which is the only visible example of its kind in the United Kingdom. Its acoustics were perfectly suited to musical and dramatic performances. Close by are the foundations of a Roman town house, a secret shrine and a row of Roman shops. St Albans railway station is just 20 minutes away from London’s St Pancras International railway station on the First Capital Connect train line.