Archaeological discoveries all over London continue to reveal secrets and we can still see lots of Fragment’s left behind of Roman Londinium. Like many cities London had a rich history of Roman habitation. I have walked the streets of London discovering all of what’ s left of the Roman Empire in London to see. You can explore what’s left if you know where to see Roman London in London
Uncovering Roman London: A Journey Through the Ancient Heart of the City
AD We have been or could be if you click on a link in this post compensated via a cash payment, gift or something else of value for writing this post. See our full disclosure policy and privacy policy for more details.
If your cruise ship is heading to Southampton and ending in trip to London, history should be top of the list! Roman London, known as Londinium, was founded around AD 43 during the Roman conquest of Britain almost 2,000 years ago.
Londinium occupied the relatively small area of London just 0.5 sq miles and It has long since crumbled. Even though it is long gone pieces of our Roman heritage remain all over the city that you can still see today. Let’s look at where to find Roman London today.
The Guild Hall Yard London’s Roman Amphitheatre
London’s Roman Amphitheatre, located beneath Guildhall Yard in the City of London, is a captivating relic from ancient times. After over a century of archaeological search, the London Roman Amphitheatre was unearthed in 1988.
Surprisingly, it was found within the old Roman city walls, unlike most ancient amphitheatres that were situated outside the walls. The amphitheatre lies beneath the Guildhall Yard and can be visited today.
Roman Floor at St Bride’s Church
St Bride’s Church, located in Fleet Street, holds a fascinating secret within its crypt. As you descend into this historical space, you’ll encounter remnants from different eras. One of the most captivating features is the Roman mosaic pavement tucked away in the southeast corner.
This ancient pavement, dating back to around 43 C.E., suggests that there might have been a Roman temple on this very spot.
London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE
The centerpiece of Space is the London Mithraeum the reconstructed Temple of Mithras, which was discovered on the Bloomberg site. This ancient temple, dedicated to the god Mithras, offers visitors an immersive experience, transporting them back in time.
The site rests above the path of one of London’s forgotten rivers, the Walbrook. Around 2,000 years ago, when the Romans established Londinium, this river served as the boundary for their initial settlement. In the 3rd century AD, approximately 200 years after London’s founding, a Roman resident constructed a temple dedicated to the god Mithras on this reclaimed land, situated alongside the river
Roman Floor at All Hallows by the Tower
The Roman tessellated pavement found at All Hallows by the Tower is a remarkable historical treasure. All Hallows by the Tower, also known as All Hallows Barking, is an ancient Anglican church located on Byward Street in the City of London.
The tessellated pavement is perfectly preserved in the Undercroft of All Hallows by the Tower. It dates back to the late 2nd century and was originally the floor of a domestic house.
Composed of plain red tesserae, the pavement features a gully that is believed to mark the position of a long-lost wall, with plaster visible at the edges. Interestingly, the pavement is cut across by the foundation of the east wall of the original Saxon church.
Roman London Basilica Pier Leadenhall Market
In Leadenhall Market, nestled in one of the most picturesque areas of The City (London’s historic financial district), harbours a fascinating secret. Roman ruins hidden beneath its bustling streets.
Underneath the barbers is a pier that supported the Roman Basilica, a building housing the Roman town hall and law courts. It was constructed around 70 AD and later expanded between 90-120 AD. Remarkably, it stood as the largest building of its kind north of the Alps!
Location: Barbers shop in the corner of corner of Gracechurch Street and Leadenhall Market. You may ask to see the ruins.
The Roman Wharf Timber
The Roman Wharf Timber is an ancient relic and is tucked within the pedestrian entrance to the old London Bridge at Saint Magnus the Martyr’s Church in London, England.
The 2,000-year-old beam was discovered on Fish Street Hill in 1931 and later brought to the churchyard, where it still stands today, safely secluded in a corner.
Tacked to the wall of the bell tower’s archway, this piece of wood hints at London’s Roman past. A small plaque attached to the timber declares it’s a segment of an old Roman wharf that dates back to 75 AD.
The archway where the timber now resides where what was once a pedestrian entrance onto the old London Bridge. Countless people likely walk right past this small Roman history.
Location: Inside the archway of the tower of St. Magnus the Martyr’s Church on Lower Thames Street.
Roman Burial Site at the Gherkin
Let’s explore the intriguing story of the Roman burial that lies beneath the modern marvel known as 30 St. Mary Axe, affectionately nicknamed “the Gherkin.”
In 1992, a bomb exploded in the City of London along St. Mary Axe, severely damaging the historic Baltic Exchange, which was a trading center for maritime markets.
During subsequent archaeological investigations in 1995, the remains of a young girl were discovered on the site. She hailed from a time when the City of London was the Roman settlement of Londinium.
Estimated to be around 1,600 years old, this teenager’s remains were carefully removed to the Museum of London while redevelopment plans for the site unfolded.
In April 2007, after the Museum of London were happy with their findings the girl was buried back in Bury street. A service was held in St Botolph’s Church, Aldgate for her. There is stone and plaque marking the spot where she is buried.
The London Stone
The London Stone is a historic landmark located at 111 Cannon Street in the City of London. It holds a fascinating history and has intrigued Londoners for centuries.
The London Stone is an irregular block of oolitic limestone, measuring 53 × 43 × 30 cm (approximately 21 × 17 × 12 inches). However, it is a remnant of a once much larger object that stood for many centuries on the south side of the street.
Geologists believe that the nearest source for its origin would be in Kent, which is approximately 60 miles away from London. The stone weighs an estimated 76 kilograms (nearly 168 pounds).
However its original purpose and significance remain shrouded in mystery. London Stone’s history dates back to ancient times. It is thought to have been associated with Roman Londinium, the settlement established in 43 AD.
Southwark Cathedral Roman Road
Southwark’s history stretches back to the days of Roman occupation in London. The original Watling Street, a 1st-century AD Roman road, ran along the eastern edge of the church, just outside its windows. The road even cut through a corner of the church itself.
Inside the entrance to the Cathedral you can see remnants of the gravel Roman road.
London’s Roman City Wall
Around AD 200, the Romans constructed the London Wall as a defining boundary for the city of Londinium. This wall proclaimed London’s status as the most important city in Roman Britain.
The remnants of London’s ancient Roman city wall still peek through the modern cityscape, offering glimpses into the past.
The original wall was approximately 2.5 miles long, enclosing an area of about 134 hectares, making it the largest enclosed urban area in Roman Britain. The wall stood over 6 meters high and was constructed with a core of rubble bound in hard mortar, faced on either side by roughly squared stone blocks. Every fifth or sixth course featured a horizontal band of red tiles to bond the core to the facing stones.
The wall included four city gates, along with an additional entrance on the north-west side at the army’s fortress at Cripplegate. Small square towers were irregularly placed around the circuit, providing access to the walk along the top of the wall.
City Wall at Vine Street New Museum
Located on Vine Street, a lesser-known road between Aldgate and Tower Hill, this remarkable chunk of Roman wall was hidden for centuries.
The new Museum display not only showcases the ancient masonry but also includes Roman artifacts and archaeological finds from the site, such as potsherds, pipes, and even an unexplained grave marker from ancient Greece.
Other Locations of the London Wall
- Museum of London: Parts of the wall are visible in the museum’s grounds.
- Coopers Row: A hotel courtyard here also reveals traces of the ancient wall.
- Barbican Estate: Explore remnants within this iconic residential complex.
- St Alphege Gardens: Off Wood Street, you’ll find more remnants.
- Near Tower Hill Underground Station: Keep an eye out for additional sections.
This post first appeared on Likelovelondon.com
