Tower Hill, City of London, London EC3N 4DJ
London Wall Walk
route · Heritage walk
Place photograph
4.9
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Free
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
4.9London’s Roman wall, built around AD 200, once defined the city’s edge. This urban walk follows its former line, where surviving masonry and fragments sit unexpectedly among later buildings and modern streets.
This is a walk through a different kind of landscape: the layered city. Its appeal is the encounter between Roman and medieval remains and contemporary London, with substantial surviving masonry at Tower Hill and other traces along the old wall line.
Atmospheric · Ancient-feeling
Find your way
Open mapTower Hill, City of London, London EC3N 4DJ
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The experience
Follow part of the old city-wall line between surviving fragments, taking time to compare Roman masonry with medieval changes and the modern streets built around it. The supplied route source describes a roughly 4 km self-guided walk; English Heritage describes an alternative 1¾-mile walk along the original line.
Things to do
Examine the Tower Hill wall
Take in one of the most substantial surviving sections of London Wall and compare its Roman fabric with the medieval additions.
10–20 minutes
Spot the red tile courses
Look for horizontal bands of red tile within the Roman masonry, a visible detail that helps distinguish parts of the Roman construction.
5–10 minutes
Trace the wall’s former line
Use the self-guided route to find other surviving fragments and notice how the old defensive boundary has been absorbed into the modern city.
1–2 hours
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Under 1 hour
Quick Escape: Tower Hill’s Roman wall
- 01
Visit the substantial surviving wall section at Tower Hill.
- 02
Look for the red tile courses and later medieval additions.
- 03
Follow the nearby signs and paths towards the Tower of London, respecting barriers and no-climbing guidance.
Half day · About 2–3 hours
Half Day: Follow the old wall line
- 01
Start at Tower Hill and examine the surviving wall.
- 02
Continue along a self-guided section of the original wall line, looking for other surviving fragments.
- 03
Use the supplied route guide to connect the remains and interpret the Roman and later layers.
Verified history
The London Wall was built around AD 200 to defend and represent the Roman city of Londinium. English Heritage says it was once about two and a half miles long and that it shaped the city’s size and form for more than a millennium. The wall was altered over time; parts were obscured or destroyed as London expanded. At Tower Hill, Roman masonry survives beneath later additions. The supplied route account describes red tile bands in the Roman wall and medieval work above it.
Hidden details
Red tile bands in the Roman masonry — At Tower Hill, look for horizontal red tile courses within the wall. The route guide notes that their original construction purpose is uncertain.
Roman fabric beneath medieval height — The surviving Tower Hill section includes later medieval additions; compare the lower Roman work with the masonry above it.
When to go
March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · Daylight; a clear day makes it easier to see the masonry and navigate the street route.
The route is an outdoor urban walk and can be explored year-round. Clear daylight is useful for viewing the surviving masonry and following the route.
The walk is outdoors through city streets. Surfaces may be uneven at the English Heritage site; take care in wet conditions and check current route access.
The route
- surface
- City streets and paths; uneven surfaces at the English Heritage site.
- distance
- The supplied self-guided route describes roughly 4 km; English Heritage lists an alternative 1¾-mile walk.
- duration
- About 1–2 hours for a route section; allow longer for stops.
- difficulty
- Easy urban walk; uneven surfaces are noted at the Tower Hill site.
- waymarking
- Use a self-guided route guide; the supplied route source cautions that older Museum of London plaques do not reliably provide a complete route.
- route shape
- Linear route following the former wall line; exact start and finish depend on the chosen guide.
- start point
- Tower Hill section of London Wall, near Tower Hill Underground station.
- parking start
- No car park at London Wall. English Heritage identifies Tower Hill Car and Coach Park as the nearest car park and recommends public transport where possible.
- shorter alternative
- Visit the Tower Hill section alone for a brief stop rather than walking the wider route.
- Substantial Roman wall remains at Tower Hill
- Visible red tile courses in Roman masonry
- Medieval additions to the wall
- Other surviving fragments along the former city boundary
Worth pairing with
Tower of London
A nearby historic site that provides further context for the wall and its relationship with the city’s later defences. Check current admission and access details separately.
Winchester Palace
English Heritage lists the remains of Winchester Palace as a nearby historic place across the river in Southwark.
What to look for
At Tower Hill, look for the red tile bands in the Roman masonry and the medieval additions above it. The wall is reported to have been about 6 metres high in the Roman period and is now around 10 metres high with later additions. Along the wider route, look for surviving fragments and the changing relationship between old wall and modern buildings.
The story
Archaeology, Industry
Best time to go
Year-round; choose a clear day for easier outdoor exploration.
Daylight, preferably on a clear day. English Heritage says its Tower Hill section can be visited at reasonable times during daylight.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Solo · Couples · Groups · Photographers · History lovers · Walkers
Route at a glance
Duration
1–2 hours
Terrain
Urban historic, Historic town
Parking / start
There is no car park at London Wall. English Heritage identifies Tower Hill Car and Coach Park as the nearest car park and notes limited metered parking nearby; public transport is advised.
Before you go
Address
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
English Heritage describes its Tower Hill section as free to visit at reasonable times during daylight. The wider walk follows the historic line of the wall through city streets; check current access and any restrictions along the route before setting out.
Check before visiting
Parking
There is no car park at London Wall. English Heritage identifies Tower Hill Car and Coach Park as the nearest car park and notes limited metered parking nearby; public transport is advised.
Toilets
English Heritage identifies the closest public toilets as being in the coach park at Tower Hill.
Food & drink
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
English Heritage warns of uneven surfaces, prohibits climbing, and notes falling-masonry risks. Check route conditions and access before visiting.
Check before visiting
Cost
Free
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around London Wall Walk
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
