Roman Wall — Attraction in London

The Roman Wall in London is an ancient defensive wall built by the Romans around the city of Londinium, which was the precursor to modern-day London. Constructed in the late 2nd or early 3rd century AD, the wall served as a protective barrier for the Roman settlement and marked the boundaries of the city.

Key points about the Roman Wall in London:

Construction: The construction of the Roman Wall in London began around 200 AD, during the reign of Emperor Septimius Severus. The wall was built using a combination of Kentish ragstone and brick, and it stretched for approximately 3.4 kilometers (2.1 miles) around the city.

Purpose: The primary purpose of the Roman Wall was defensive. It served to protect the Roman settlement of Londinium from external threats, including potential invasions by hostile tribes. The wall featured defensive fortifications such as towers, gates, and ditches.

Gates: The Roman Wall had several gates that served as entry points into the city. These gates included the Ludgate, Newgate, Aldersgate, Bishopsgate, Cripplegate, and Moorgate. Each gate was fortified and controlled access to and from the city.

Decline: Over time, as London grew beyond the confines of the Roman Wall, the defensive function of the wall became less critical. By the medieval period, the wall had fallen into disrepair, and parts of it were dismantled or incorporated into other structures.

Surviving Sections: Despite centuries of development and urbanization, some sections of the Roman Wall still survive in London today. The most well-preserved sections can be found near the Tower of London, in the area around Tower Hill and Cooper's Row. These remnants offer a glimpse into the city's ancient past and serve as a reminder of its Roman origins.

Historical Significance: The Roman Wall in London is of significant historical importance, providing evidence of the city's Roman heritage and its importance as a strategic outpost in the Roman Empire. It is a designated Scheduled Ancient Monument and a popular attraction for visitors interested in exploring London's...

Another greatly persevered section of the London Wall built by the Romans. This one is out of view unless you know where to go.

Take a quick turn off of Trinity Square through the lobby of the Leonardo Royal Hotel and you will see the wall section down the end.

This section is interesting for a few reasons. First you will note the obvious holes in the wall, these were actually purposefully placed at intervals to allow a space for archers to fire through. The side with the larger openings was the inside of the wall where the archers would been, and the side with the smaller openings was the outside; it's extremely fascinating to stand over the other side of this section and consider what Londinium's attackers would have likely seen.

The second thing to point out with this section is the small square holes you can see below the archery holes. These are where wooden planks would have jutted out to allow a steady platform to place horizontal beams across to make a walkway. This is where the aforementioned archers would have stood. These have obviously long since rotted away but the holes where they would have been are very much...

Well-presented and interesting part of the Roman Wall. The illustrations on the information board showing how archers would have used the features were a great help. Interesting contrast between the two side of the wall. Helped me get a sense of the impact of having that wall, in a way I'd not felt from simply knowing there was a wall, or seeing the part of the wall more publically visible just a little further along by Tower Hill...