Spitalfields Charnel House — Attraction in London

It was the construction of a new office block in 1999 that led to the rediscovery of a medieval charnel house – the oldest building in Spitalfields – which had lain undiscovered for around 300 years. Fortunately, the discovery generated enough interest that the office developers chose to incorporate the building’s remains into the new development, and today a glass panel allows the charnel house to be viewed from street level, while a flight of stairs leads down to the ruins themselves, which can be seen behind glass. This little building gives the visitor a rare glimpse into medieval Spitalfields which was home not to market buildings or office blocks but to a hospital and an extensive...

The Spitelfields Charnel House is an in-situ archaeological site. The site visible to the public is underground and glass covered at the pavement level, with a flight of stairs (and elevator for the disabled) down to the lower level for a closer look.

The site used to be part of the Augustin Priori and Hospital of St Mary. The area of display used to be the lower level of the church housing the crypt. I think the bones have all been taken away because they're now in the exhibition.

In truth there isn't much to see, but it's always fascinating to see archaeology in-situ. There's several plaques on the site giving information about the crypt and former church (as well as needless...

The Charnel House is another example of the ever increasing amount of the old & ancient London existing in juxtaposition to the modern London & as such is interesting. Not an awful lot to see but what there is has been well presented & accessible to all via either some stairs or a lift. The Charnel House was uncovered during construction work in 1999 & was luckily deemed worthy of incorporating into the new buildings. What there is to see is behind a glass screen below pavement level & accompanied by information boards. Worth a look if you are in the area but I would not go out of my way. The surrounding plaza can be very busy but is kept clean &...