Will,that's a great plan.We should be past The White Hart Tap before their 2.30pm afternoon closure time {My mistake that's the food serving time its open ALL DAY from 11am} and be close to the Verulam Arms for their 5pm opening time,as well as the 5.30pm reopening at The Farriers. (Times gathered from What Pub)
For the early birds ,I couldnt find too many pubs open before noon,apart from the Waterend Barn JDW( of course) and The Blacksmiths (11am) so that just begs the question of when folk intend to arrive in St Albans . I can get there at any time without problems,although I'm not hitting the Waterend Barn at 8am