I walk up the picturesque Holywell Hill and admire the abundance of historic architecture alternating from late medieval buildings and small Victorian terraces to grand Georgian homes. As it’s a steep hill, the buildings are of varying heights. I love the huge sash windows, red brickwork and ornate railings decorating and leading up to grand front doors.

The street’s name reflects that there was a holy well located close to the extensive monastic abbey grounds to the west. For pilgrims travelling here from afar, this street was the main southern entrance and marked the arrival to our city.

St Albans was one of the many stopping places on the way to the North of England, which explains why there were so many inns here. The 16th Century White Hart Pub is still standing and grade II-listed, with its crooked Tudor beams and carriage arch reminding passers by of its antiquity.

When I look at old black and white photos of Holywell Hill, it seems like such a stately and grand boulevard with wide open spaces. Nowadays, this principle road into St Albans is busy and noisy and the traffic is at a standstill.

I end my walk at the top of the hill and step onto London Road at The Shop on The Hill, one of my favourite boutiques in St Albans. It is one of the last remaining independent retailers from ‘old school’ St Albans that was once crammed with boutiques.

The shop has a discreet small blue façade on the outside and as I slip into a narrow doorway, I feel as if I’ve been transported by a Tardis into a land of silver sparkles, surrounded by wall-to-wall glass cabinets packed with shimmering necklaces, bracelets, earrings and gifts.

There’s a huge selection of silver in the window and presented in old wooden cabinets, from long chains to a countless pendants, from a Pegasus to a humming bird and many wonderful abstract shapes, all perfect for accessorising a simple outfit. I’m impressed that I can try on any silver pendant I like and that they can be sold separately from the chain.

I’ve come to have a chat with the owner but I’m getting distracted. The variety of stock defies the compact cosiness of the shop but that makes it all the more of a delightful retail experience. I am totally mesmerised, engaged and eager to try things on.

Melanie, the owner, educates me on marcasite, a very fashionable stone used in Victorian and Art Nouveau designs; it sparkles beautifully and is much cheaper than diamonds when it is worked into bracelets, brooches and necklaces. It is characterised by its vintage look and is quite popular if you’re going for a classic 1920s style.

The amount of silver is a delight. There is barely any room to move but that makes it all the more intriguing. The customer service is friendly and I don’t feel rushed as I explore and try on various pendants; my favourites are the silver unicorn and dolphin. Melanie has been serving local customers for years as her friendly manner shows.

Melanie has seen many changes and is glad that our high street is busy and that we still have our bustling market. “Many of our customers come from all over the country, often through word of mouth,” she says.

Customers come in ‘stressed out’ looking for a gift, not sure what to buy and look to Melanie and her team to give them some guidance. “That’s the best part of our job!” Melanie enthuses. “It feels great to share in the customer’s joy when they suddenly have a Eureka moment and are genuinely grateful and relieved that we have found them the perfect gift.”