• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
    • First Time Here?
    • Archive
    • London Blogs
  • Blog
  • Travel
    • London Theater Tickets
    • Shopping
    • Tips
    • Tours
    • Transport
    • Maps
    • Parks
    • Resources
    • Restaurants
    • Top 10 London
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Buildings
    • Food
    • London Books
    • Movies
    • Museums
    • Music
    • Pubs
  • Londonism
    • Reviews
    • Fun London
    • Iconic London
    • Life in London
    • London Realities
    • Moving to London
    • Politics
  • The Tube
  • London History
    • Great London Buildings
    • Great Londoners
  • Contact
  • Guidebooks
    • 101 London Travel Tips – Guidebook
    • 101 Free Things to do in London

Londontopia

The Website for People Who Love London

You are here: Home / Culture / Buildings / Living History: A Guide to London’s Ten Oldest Buildings

Living History: A Guide to London’s Ten Oldest Buildings

Aug 6, 2015 By John Rabon

As historical a city as London is, there are plenty of buildings and structures that date back centuries, if not thousands of years. While London had long been spotted with settlements, the first organized building came with the Romans after their invasion in 43 AD. The coming of the Christians in the Middle Ages led to the construction of several churches that see many worshippers each Sunday. Even more buildings that still exist today followed the Norman invasion in 1066 AD. So what are the ten oldest buildings and structures in the city?

Thames Timbers – Approximately 5,000 – 4,000 BC

Possibly the oldest structure in London, archaeologists conducting a survey of the Thames in 2010 discovered six timber piles on the shore of the river under the shadow of MI6’s Vauxhall building. The structure dates back to the Mesolithic Period, at a time when the Thames was thinner and deeper than it is at present, a fact confirmed by the finding of stone tools nearby as well as Neolithic pottery. It’s unknown exactly what the purpose of the pillars was, whether it was a structure used like Stonehenge or something entirely different.

Temple of Mithras – 2nd/3rd Century AD

Temple of Mithras

 

One of the oldest surviving Roman structures, it was constructed as a mithraeum, or a small temple for the worshippers of Mithras, the Persian god of light adopted by some Romans. It was discovered after World War II during the rebuilding caused by the London Blitz. Evidence suggested it was converted from Mithras to Bacchus worship around the 4th Century. After its discovery, it was relocated to Temple Court, Queen Victoria Street, for the construction of Bucklersbury House. Bloomberg intends to move the temple to its original site near the covered-over River Walbrook, with a plan to complete the project next year.

London Wall – 2nd/3rd Century AD

London_Wall_fragment

The first defensive wall constructed by the Romans around their settlement of Londinium, it essentially forms the original borders of the City of London. It is believed to have bene constructed anywhere from 190 to 225 AD, mostly to protect the settlement from invasion by the Picts, who had previously overrun Hadrian’s Wall in the 180s. It was in use as a defensive measure for 1,000 years after it was constructed and it helped to protect the rest of London from the Great Fire in 1666. Today, parts of it remain scattered around the border of the City of London and can be seen at the Museum of London, the Barbican Estate, and Tower Hill.

St. Pancras Parish Church – 314/6th Century AD

St_Pancras_Old_Church_-_geograph.org.uk_-_757784

Separate from St. Panrcas New Church, the parish church (also known as St. Pancras Old Church) is believed to be one of the oldest places of worship in England. Evidence of the church’s construction is minimal, but it is believed to have been constructed as early as 314 AD. It was simply known as St. Pancras Church until the new church was constructed in 1819. Following the English Reformation, it was one of the only churches in London that permitted the burial of Catholics. The church was derelict by the mid-19th Century, but increases in population led to its restoration.

St. Bride’s Church – 6th Century AD

St Bride's Church, Fleet Street
St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street

Perhaps the second oldest church in London, it was supposedly constructed during the 6th Century and is dedicated to the Irish Saint Bride, also known as St. Bridget. The church may have been constructed under orders of Bridget herself or by Irish monks proselytizing in her name. The Medieval crypt also has Roman pavement that dates its foundations back even further than the original church’s construction. The present church is actually much newer, as the original was destroyed in the Great Fire of London. The current building was constructed after the fire by Christopher Wren and its spire served as the inspiration for the modern tiered wedding cake.

All Hallows by the Tower – 675 AD

AllHallowsByTheTowerChurch

Named, in part, for its close proximity to the Tower of London, the church actually pre-dates the Tower by four-hundred years. It was established by the Saxons of Barking Abbey and for years was named “All Hallowed Barking”. As with St. Bride’s, it was constructed on the site of a formerly Roman building, and as such, some of the building’s foundation can be seen in the crypt. Following the Tower’s construction, the church was renamed and its closeness brought royal connections, with Edward VII using it as a royal chantry and Tower execution victims being sent there for temporary burial. It was damaged several times, first in the 17th Century when gunpowder stored in the churchyard exploded and during World War II when German bombs gutted its inside. The church has a fascinating history and is connected to a couple prominent Americans, including William Penn (who was baptised there) and John Quincy Adams (whose marriage took place there).

London Stone – 9th Century AD (possibly earlier)

the-london-stone-01

An irregular-shaped block of limestone currently housed behind metal bars at 111 Cannon Street, the London Stone has been used since the 9th Century as a place to strike deals and swear oaths, though the structure that it was once supposedly part of is said to be even older. A ceremonial structure, the stone was used as a place for the swearing in for the Lord Mayor of London. There is much speculation about its origin, from being an altar stone brought by mythical London founder Brutus to being part of the foundation of the Roman governor’s palace.

Pyx Chapel – 1066 AD

london-westminster-abbey-pyx-chamber

Whether known as Pyx Chapel or Pyx Chamber, this part of Westminster Abbey located between Chapter House and the Great Cloister was built the same year that William the Conqueror was crowned William I. The “pyx” was a vessel used to house the consecrated Host for the Eucharist (or Holy Communion). A pyx was also a chest that housed coins used to test the quality of newly-minted currency. The “Trial of the Pyx” was the ceremony used to test that quality, though the test was typically performed in the Palace of Westminster than in the Abbey. The Pyx Chamber thus became a treasury for both the Abbey as well as the crown. While many of the fixtures were removed after the English Reformation, the excellent Medieval tiles and stone altar remain.

White Tower (Tower of London) – 1078 AD

Tower_of_London_viewed_from_the_River_Thames

Coming shortly after William the Conqueror came to London, he built the Tower of London as much for administrative control as to display his power over the citizens of London. The White Tower was the first part of the Tower of London to be built, begun in 1066 and finished in 1078. The White Tower saw many different uses over its history, being a royal residence, defensive fortification, records storage, and even a prison. Today, it is the central part of the Tower of London tour and contains the collection of the Royal Armouries and exhibits on the royal line.

Westminster Hall (Palace of Westminster) – 1097 AD

DSC01790

The oldest building of the Parliamentary Estate, Westminster Hall was erected in 1097 and was, at the time, the largest hall in Europe. It was constructed by William’s son, King William II, who, like his father, wanted a building that would impress his power upon his subjects. As with the White Tower, it had several function over the centuries, including being the royal court, a court of law, a meeting place, and a place for dignitaries to lie in state before their funerals. It is sometimes still used for joint meetings of the House of Lords and the House of Commons and, in rare circumstances, a place for foreign leaders to address the two houses.

John Rabon
Author: John Rabon

John is a regular writer for Anglotopia and its sister websites. He is currently engaged in finding a way to move books slightly to the left without the embarrassment of being walked in on by Eddie Izzard. For any comments, questions, or complaints, please contact the Lord Mayor of London, Boris Johnson's haircut.

close

Free London News

Get the latest news on London history, culture, travel, exhibitions, and more right in your inbox!

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Share this:

  • Print
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • Pocket

Filed Under: Buildings, Featured, History

Subscribe to Our Free London Updates

Free London News

Get the latest news on London history, culture, travel, exhibitions, and more right in your inbox!

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

About John Rabon

John is a regular writer for Anglotopia and its sister websites. He is currently engaged in finding a way to move books slightly to the left without the embarrassment of being walked in on by Eddie Izzard. For any comments, questions, or complaints, please contact the Lord Mayor of London, Boris Johnson's haircut.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kevin Davis says

    Aug 7, 2015 at 4:58 pm

    You seem to have missed out All a Saints Kingston which was the site of the coronation of the first King of England in 925 and its associated coronation stone

  2. Bob Jones - The Lost City of London says

    Aug 8, 2015 at 2:25 pm

    As I understand it, there’s no definitive hard archaeological evidence to confirm that either St Pancras’ or St Bride is quite as old as it purports to be.

    The oldest more-or-less reliably datable part of St Pancras’ is the altar-stone inlaid into the later altar-table, which is probably from the turn of the sixth and seventh centuries (i.e., early Saxon rather than Roman).

    Similarly, the oldest reliably datable part of St Bride’s is early eleventh century (i.e., late rather than early Saxon). There is an archaeological level that underlies, and is therefore older than, this, but it is not reliably dated.

  3. Paul Anghinetti says

    Oct 26, 2017 at 1:54 pm

    To mention also that although Saint Bride Fleet Street was rebuilt by Wren after the Great Fire, on the 29th December 1940 was gutted by firebombs and thus reduced to a roofless wreck, and so the interior seen today is not particularly of the 1670s.

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to Our Free London Updates

Free London News

Get the latest news on London history, culture, travel, exhibitions, and more right in your inbox!

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Get the Anglotopia/Londontopia App

Our Advertisers

If you are a mobile gamer, you may want to take a look at UK’s new mobile casinos and slots reviewed by NewCasinoUK.

Join the London Forum

  • Mudlarking
  • MY FAVOURITE PLACE IN LONDON
  • What's Your Favorite Place in London?
  • Paddington Station

London Guide

  • Ten Cheap Things You Can Do in London on a Budget
  • Ten London Exhibitions to Look Forward to in 2023
  • London’s Non-Free Museums: Your Guide to London’s Museums That Charge Admission
  • Trip Planning: Top 10 Exhibitions To Plan Your 2018 Trips to London Around
  • London Guide: Our Favorite Restaurants in London – London Restaurant Recommendations for Americans – What’s Your Favorite?

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • RSS Feed
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Support Londontopia

Search our Extensive Archive

Top 10 London

  • Ten Unusual Exhibits to See in London
  • London Pubs: Ten Thameside Pubs for a Pint and a View
  • Top 10 London: Ten More Things to Do Along the River Thames
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Shopping Centers in London
  • Museums of London: Ten Overlooked London Museums
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Haggerston
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Haringey
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Redbridge
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Hillingdon
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to Do in Canonbury

Recent Posts

  • V&A set to open first major UK exhibition on Renaissance sculptor Donatello
  • Ten National Trust Properties in London
  • What’s On in London Events for February 2023
  • Only Fools And Horses musical to close in West End after four years
  • Artist Ai Weiwei to launch first design-focused exhibition at London’s Design Museum
  • London Travel Alert: Staff at British Museum to walk out during half-term break
  • Poet Lemn Sissay ‘over the moon’ to receive Freedom of the City of London
  • English Heritage has unveiled six new blue plaques for London
  • National Portrait Gallery to reopen in June with two special exhibitions
  • Exploring The Cosmic House in London

Best Posts on Londontopia

  • 101 London Travel Tips
  • Top 100 London Attractions
  • How to Find the Cheapest Airfares to London
  • 10 Things NOT to do in London
  • Best London Guidebooks
  • 101 Free Things to do in London
  • London Lingo – A London Word Dictionary
  • Top 7 Tips for Doing London on the Cheap
  • Top 11 Myths American Believe about London
  • Guide to Eating in London
  • Best Times of Year to Travel to London
  • London Packing Tips
  • Top 11 Movies Set in London
  • Top Attractions off the Tourist Track
  • Top 5 Most Amazing London Hotels
  • Top 10 Hostels in London
  • Best Views in London Restuarants
  • London Taxi Ettiquette
  • Top 12 London Views
  • Great Fire of London
  • A Guide to Five of London’s Bridges
  • 10 Random Facts and Figures about Trafalgar Square
  • Top 100 British Slang Words

London Places to Explore

Bloomsbury Buckingham Palace Canary Wharf City of London Covent Garden Cutty Sark Greenwich Hampstead Hampton Court Palace Heathrow Houses of Parliament Hyde Park Imperial War Museum Islington Kensington Kensington Palace Leicester Square London London Eye London Transport Museum Museum of London National Gallery Notting Hill Piccadilly Circus Putney Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Regent's Street Royal Academy Selfridges Somerset House Southbank Southwark St Pancras St Paul's Cathedral Tate Britain Tate Modern The City Tower Bridge Tower of London Trafalgar Square V&A Wandsworth West End Westminster Westminster Abbey

SIGN-UP FOR FREE LONDON WEEKLY UPDATES!

Please enter a valid email address
That address is already in use
The security code entered was incorrect
Thanks for signing up

Recent Videos

Walk Around London Virtually Right Now – Watched Walker is the YouTube Channel We All Need Right Now

Jason Hawkes Shares a Beautiful Video of London From Above That We All Need Right now

London Tube: You’ve Got to Watch This Amazing Mesmerizing Animation That Shows the Real Geography of the London Underground

Video: The Basics of Crossrail – London’s New Underground Line

London History: The Place Where Old London Double Decker Buses Went to Die

London Video: A Look at the Great Smog of London

Tube and London bus fares to rise by nearly 6% from March

What is Crossrail 2 and What is Its Current Status?

London Alert: Strike by London Underground workers to go ahead after last-minute talks fail

London Mayor hails Elizabeth line as direct routes and Sunday services begin

Elizabeth line fully opens and offers more direct journeys

Tube poet encourages writers to ‘bring who they are to the field’

Footer

About Londontopia

Londontopia is simply the website for people who love London. It was founded by Jonathan & Jackie Thomas from Anglotopia.net as a place to post articles solely focused on London and its environs. Keep up with all the latest London news at Londontopia! This site is geared towards people who love to visit London and our primary audience is North American but everyone is welcome!

When We’re in London Next

We don’t currently have any travel plans to London but hope to visit at some point in 2021.

  • SEO Backlinks
  • Travel Blog

SIGN-UP FOR FREE LONDON WEEKLY UPDATES!

Please enter a valid email address
That address is already in use
The security code entered was incorrect
Thanks for signing up

Copyright © 2023 Anglotopia, LLC · Website Developed by Anglotopia, LLC · Log in