London's Roman Amphitheatre

About

Step into the ruins of London's Roman Amphitheatre and discover the hidden history under your feet. In 1988, the capital's only Roman amphitheatre was located in Guildhall Yard, during an archaeological dig taking place in preparation for the new Art Gallery building project. In 2002, the doors to the amphitheatre opened for the first time in nearly 2,000 years. When short stretches of Roman wall were unearthed in Guildhall Yard the site became a protected monument. The City of London decided to integrate the remains into its proposals for a new Art Gallery and construction work began in 1992, alongside ongoing excavations. The surviving remains include a stretch of the stone entrance tunnel, east gate, and arena walls. They are protected in a controlled environment, 20 feet below the modern pavement.

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 30 minutes