St Albans Abbey ‘one of England’s early Norman cathedrals’

St Albans Abbey has been confirmed as one of England’s early Norman cathedrals after experts uncovered foundations of the early church.

Remains of the original apse built in 1077 were unearthed during excavation work at the site, ahead of the construction of a new visitor centre.

The abbey is known as the oldest place of continuous Christian worship in the country and this find pre-dates that.

The site director said: “We knew it was probably there but this confirms it.”

Other Norman cathedrals in the UK include Durham and Canterbury.

The Hertfordshire abbey stands on the site where Britain’s first saint, St Alban – a citizen of Roman Verulamium – was martyred by the Romans.

The Canterbury Archaeological Trust has been excavating the site since October. Read more.