Fleet Street–Strand junction, London EC4A 2LT
Temple Bar Memorial
Strange monument
Place photograph
3.3
Wildland
Under 1 hour
Time
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Cost
Historic
Feel
Why it's Wildland
3.3A dragon-topped memorial marks the former gateway to the City of London—while the original Temple Bar now stands elsewhere, in Paternoster Square.
A compact piece of London’s layered history: this sculptural memorial marks where the City’s ceremonial gateway once stood, and invites a close look at the boundary, royal imagery and changing streetscape around it.
Historic · dramatic
Find your way
Open mapFleet Street–Strand junction, London EC4A 2LT
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The experience
A short, history-led stop to view the memorial and understand its relationship to the former City boundary and the relocated Temple Bar gateway. The monument stands by a busy road junction, so keep to safe public viewing areas.
Things to do
Find the dragon-topped memorial
View the sculptural memorial that marks the former position of Temple Bar, where Fleet Street meets the Strand.
Under 1 hour
Compare it with the relocated Temple Bar
The original gateway was dismantled in the 19th century and later reconstructed in Paternoster Square. Seeing the two sites helps explain the difference between the surviving gateway and the memorial marking its former location.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Under 1 hour
A close look at the City’s former gateway
- 01
Visit the memorial at the Fleet Street–Strand junction.
- 02
From a safe public viewing position, examine the dragon and sculptural details.
- 03
Use the nearby street layout to picture the former gateway marking the route into the City.
Half day · Half day
Follow the Temple Bar story
- 01
Begin at the memorial, the marker of Temple Bar’s former Fleet Street–Strand position.
- 02
Continue to Paternoster Square to see the relocated Temple Bar gateway.
- 03
Compare the memorial’s role as a marker with the gateway’s surviving architecture.
Verified history
A City of London account describes Temple Bar as a historic entrance between the City and the area of Temple. It says the early barrier dates from around the 13th century, and that a Portland stone gateway, reputedly designed by Christopher Wren, was completed in 1672. The gateway was removed in the 19th century to ease traffic and make way for the Royal Courts of Justice, then re-erected at Theobalds Park. In 1880 City architect Horace Jones designed the memorial that still marks the former site. The original gateway was reconstructed in Paternoster Square in 2004.
Hidden details
The memorial and gateway are different places — The memorial marks the gateway’s former position by Fleet Street and the Strand. The original Temple Bar gateway was relocated and reconstructed in Paternoster Square.
When to go
January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December · Daylight, for viewing the sculptural details.
The memorial is an urban landmark with no seasonal nature feature identified in the supplied sources.
Check the forecast and local conditions; the monument is beside a road junction.
Worth pairing with
Temple Bar, Paternoster Square
See the original Temple Bar gateway, reconstructed in Paternoster Square after its removal from the Fleet Street–Strand site.
What to look for
- 01
Look for the dragon at the top of the memorial and the sculptural figures and details around its base. The original Temple Bar gateway is not here
- 02
it was reconstructed in Paternoster Square.
The story
Archaeology
Best time to go
Year-round
Daylight is useful for seeing the sculpture’s details. Check current local conditions before setting out.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour
Perfect for
Solo · Couples · History lovers · Walkers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
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Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The memorial stands at the former site of Temple Bar, in the Fleet Street–Strand junction area, opposite the Royal Courts of Justice. It is a roadside monument; take care around traffic and check local conditions before visiting. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.
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Parking
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Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
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Accessibility
The source notes that a wheelchair-accessible car park is not available. Step-free access to a viewing position and other accessibility details are not confirmed; check before visiting.
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Cost
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Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Temple Bar Memorial
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
