St Albans /snt ˈɔːlbənz/ (Lat.: Villa Sancti Albani or Villa Albani) is a city and unparished area in southern Hertfordshire, England, just east of Hemel Hempstead and west of Hatfield. It forms the main urban area of the City and District of St Albans. It is located about 19 miles (31 km) north-northwest of central London, 8 miles (13 km) southwest of Welwyn Garden City, and 11 miles (18 km) south-southeast of Luton. St Albans was the first major town on the old Roman road of Watling Street for travellers heading north and became the Roman city of Verulamium. It is an historic market town and is now a dormitory town within the London commuter belt.