As I reach the first floor landing of St Albans Museum, I stop and peer into one of the attractively arranged cabinets containing a gentleman’s court dress in blue velvet adorned with shiny buttons and gold brocade worn for formal state occasions.

It’s such an inviting space, with original Georgian decorative cornices along the ceiling. I notice a small display of local history books by the window and flick though one on the River Ver and one on the history of Sopwell. The other cabinet is filled with a selection of colourful old packaging such as Lyons blackcurrant pie, cigarette packets and matchboxes.

I step into the grand assembly room. It feels so light and airy and I could be at the Tate or any metropolitan gallery; it’s such an impressive space with gilded mirrors above the original fireplaces. The chandeliers hang from ceiling roses set in symmetrical square Regency centrepieces. It looks like a ballroom in a stately home and I feel as if I could just glide across it with my dance partner doing the waltz! Apparently this room was used throughout the 1900’s as a ballroom and for gala dinners and concerts.

Walking across the corridor, I head towards the back of the building; it is open plan and horizontal windows allow light to flood in. The selection of historic objects is attractively arranged, presented well and engages visitors.

The cabinets here are filled with some amazing historic artefacts, from amulets and shells to beaded bags made from rings, and badges from as early as the 1400’s depicting swans and dragons. I love the Dutch blue and white plate from the 17th Century and the 19th Century teacup and saucer with Chinese-style flower and peacock patterning.

It’s gone 4pm and it’s time for some tea and cake. The courtroom café is quiet and I sit in between the Judge’s seat and the defendant’s dock. This courtroom was in use between 1831 and 1967. This is as authentic as it gets and I take it all in: the curved wooden benches upon which court clerks typed away, the desks, the gates and brown leather chairs, seating for the witnesses and barristers, all entirely wood panelled. Three arch windows on either side of the court let in limited light and many doors connect the courtroom to the corridors.

One of the few remaining pre-Victorian courtrooms in England, it is filled with history and I imagine all of the sentencing that took place on this spot. After my tea I stand in the dock and imagine how scary it must have been to emerge from the holding cells to see the judge sat in his raised bench, the Royal Crest behind him and receive a sentence. Almost an hour has passed; I must admit it’s beginning to feel a bit enclosed in here and look forward to walking home on this bright and balmy summer’s afternoon.

n Marisa Laycock moved from South West London to St Albans in 2000. She enjoys sharing her experiences of living in St Albans.