Barbican and the City of London, London
London Wall Walk
route · Heritage walk
Place photograph
3.6
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Free
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
3.6London’s old boundary has not vanished so much as been swallowed by the city. Follow its line and Roman masonry, medieval additions and fragments preserved among modern buildings bring the edges of Londinium into view.
This is an urban heritage walk rather than a wild landscape, but it offers a rewarding piece of historical discovery: traces of the wall that once defined London’s shape, encountered in the middle of the modern city.
Atmospheric
Find your way
Open mapBarbican and the City of London, London
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
A self-guided urban heritage walk tracing surviving parts of London’s Roman and medieval defences. English Heritage describes its London Wall Walk as 1¾ miles, following the original line and passing other surviving sections.
Things to do
See the Tower Hill section of London Wall
View one of the substantial surviving sections of the Roman wall, with later additions, at the edge of the garden near Tower Hill.
A short stop
Trace the original wall line
Walk the 1¾-mile London Wall Walk, which follows the original line and passes other surviving sections.
Not specified
Look for Roman red tile courses
At the Tower Hill section, inspect the red tile courses within the masonry, a visible detail of the Roman construction.
Part of a short stop
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Under 1 hour
Quick wall stop
- 01
Visit the surviving London Wall section at Tower Hill.
- 02
Examine the Roman masonry and later medieval additions from the public viewing area; do not climb the monument.
Half day · Allow 1–2 hours; walking time is not specified by the source.
Follow the London Wall Walk
- 01
Follow the 1¾-mile London Wall Walk along the original line of the wall.
- 02
Pause at surviving wall sections and interpretation where accessible.
- 03
Check access to individual locations before setting out.
Verified history
London’s Roman wall was built around AD 200 and eventually extended to about two and a half miles. It was altered and added to over subsequent centuries; medieval features can still be seen alongside Roman masonry. As London expanded, parts of the wall and its gates were removed or obscured by later development.
Hidden details
Roman and medieval masonry in one view — At Tower Hill, compare the Roman wall with the medieval additions above it. Red tile courses are a visible clue to the Roman fabric.
When to go
· Daylight hours
No seasonal visitor conditions are specified. English Heritage advises that its Tower Hill section is open at reasonable times during daylight.
Check conditions before setting out; the route is through the city and includes outdoor sections.
The route
- surface
- City streets and paths; uneven surfaces are noted at the Tower Hill monument.
- distance
- 1¾ miles
- difficulty
- Not specified; urban route with uneven surfaces noted at the Tower Hill monument
- route shape
- Follows the original line of the wall; the source does not specify a circular route.
- start point
- The source describes the London Wall Walk but does not specify a start point.
- parking start
- No car park at the Tower Hill London Wall section. English Heritage advises public transport; nearby parking is limited and within the Congestion Charging Zone.
- shorter alternative
- Visit the Tower Hill section as a short standalone stop.
- Surviving Roman wall at Tower Hill
- Medieval additions to the wall
- Other surviving sections along the original wall line
Worth pairing with
Roman London Gallery at the Museum of London
English Heritage suggests combining the wall walk with a visit to the Roman London Gallery at the Museum of London. Check current opening and access details.
Winchester Palace
English Heritage lists the remains of Winchester Palace, across the river in Southwark, as a nearby historic site.
What to look for
At Tower Hill, look for the Roman wall’s red tile courses and the medieval additions above it. Notice how the surviving masonry sits among modern buildings, and look for interpretation plaques where present.
The story
Archaeology
Best time to go
All year; choose daylight hours and check access to individual sections before visiting.
Go in daylight. English Heritage says its Tower Hill section is open at reasonable times during daylight; check access to other sections before setting out.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Solo · Couples · History lovers · Walkers · Photographers
Route at a glance
Duration
1–2 hours
Terrain
Urban historic
Parking / start
English Heritage says there is no car park at its Tower Hill section; nearby parking is limited and the site is in the Congestion Charging Zone. Public transport is advised.
Before you go
Address
Practical information
Opening & access
The walk follows the former line of the Roman and medieval city wall, passing surviving sections. English Heritage describes its Tower Hill section as open at reasonable times during daylight; access to other sections may vary. Check conditions before setting out, and do not enter restricted buildings or areas.
Check before visiting
Parking
English Heritage says there is no car park at its Tower Hill section; nearby parking is limited and the site is in the Congestion Charging Zone. Public transport is advised.
Toilets
English Heritage lists public toilets in the coach park at Tower Hill.
Food & drink
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The route includes city streets and uneven surfaces. English Heritage warns of uneven surfaces and falling masonry at the Tower Hill monument and prohibits climbing. Step-free access and the accessibility of the full route are not verified.
Cost
Free
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around London Wall Walk
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
