What is the oldest buildings in london

8 Oldest Buildings in London

London was founded over 2,000 years ago (c.50 CE) by the Romans, who turned their new settlement into a thriving port city. Just like in every place that the Romans settled, remnants of Roman artifacts and architecture have been uncovered in London. Some of the city’s oldest buildings date back to this time of Roman occupation.

Most of the buildings on this list were built to serve as places of religious worship or as a residence for the royal family. These buildings were often destroyed by war, the Great Fire of London, or other disasters but were eventually rebuilt and remain in use today.

8. Westminster Hall

Year Built: 1097 CE
Location: Palace of Westminster, City of Westminster
Purpose: Originally used as a residence for the royal family; part of the Houses of Parliament today
Still Standing: Yes

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

Westminster Hall is the oldest part of the Palace of Westminster, which is used as the meeting place for the British Parliament — the Hall is notable for being one of the only parts of the Palace that remains almost entirely in its original form. The Hall was built during the reign of William II in 1097 and finished construction two years later.

Measuring 73 by 20 metres (240 by 67 feet), the Hall was the largest residence in England and smaller more practical halls were built nearby to be used by the royal family on a regular basis.

King Richard II is largely responsible for adding embellishments to the Hall, such as the 13 statues of the England’s kings dating back to Edward the Confessor, which remain in the Hall today. During World War II, an active decision by Walter Elliot prevented the Hall from being destroyed and only minimal repairs were needed.

As one of England’s most treasured sites, Westminster Hall continues to be maintained and repaired as needed.

7. White Tower

Year Built: Unknown for sure – often cited as between 1078 – 1097
Location: Tower of London, London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Purpose: Keep/dungeon
Still Standing: Yes

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

The White Tower was the first and oldest part of what is now known as the Tower of London. After William the Conqueror became the King of England in 1066, he began building a stone fortress in London to serve as his new seat of power.

King William I wanted his new fortress to be impregnable, formidable, and a sign of his new power — the White Tower’s walls are over 90 feet (27.4 m) high.

Although the exact construction date of the White Tower is unknown, it is widely accepted that construction started in 1078 and ended around 1097. After its completion, the White Tower served several purposes, including as a place of residence for the royal family, a chapel, and to keep prisoners.

The White Tower was expanded and maintained by subsequent kings and Henry III is responsible for painting the keep white, giving birth to its current name. Today, the White Tower along with the rest of the Tower of London is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is highly frequented tourist attraction.

6. Pyx Chapel

Year Built: c.1066 CE
Location: Westminster Abbey, City of Westminster
Purpose: Church (Current Denomination – Church of England)
Still Standing: Yes

photo source: Flickr via Shakespearesmonkey

The Pyx Chapel or Pyx Chamber, is the oldest surviving part of Westminster Abbey and dates back to the late 11 th century. The chamber dates back to the early days of Westminster Abbey when King Edward the Confessor decided to rebuild the previous abbey on the site. Pyx Chamber is in the East Cloister of the church and is part of the Undercroft. Some of the chamber’s original tiles from the 11 th can still be seen today.

Pyx Chamber was used as a treasury by the British crown and monastery — at the time, it was considered the most secure room in the London.

The room is named “Pyx” after the wooden boxes where silver and gold pieces were kept to await the Trial of Pyx, which ensures the purity of minted coins.

5. All Hallows by the Tower

Year Built: 675 CE
Location: Byward Street, City of London
Purpose: Church (Current Denomination – Church of England)
Still Standing: Yes

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

Although St. Bride’s Church is considered older, All Hallows by the Tower often cites itself as the oldest church in the City of London — unlike other early churches, All Hallows has a definitive founding date backed up by well-kept records.

All Hallows by the Tower was established in 675 CE by the Abbey of Barking and was originally named All Hallows Barking.

The church’s proximity to the Tower of London has made All Hallows an important site for England’s royal family over the centuries. All Hallows by the Tower was often used as a temporary burial site for people beheaded at Tower Hill.

The church was severely damaged by an explosion in 1650 but managed to survive the nearby Great Fire of London in 1666. It was restored in the late 19 th century but was destroyed again during World War II.

Since then, All Hallows by the Tower has been restored and now contains an museum displaying religious artefacts. The church’s registers are also on display and show notable entries such as the baptism of William Penn (founder of Pennsylvania) and the marriage of U.S. President John Quincy Adams.

4. St. Bride’s Church

Year Built: c. early 6th century CE
Location: Fleet Street, City of London
Purpose: Church (Current Denomination – Church of England)
Still Standing: Yes

photo source: Flickr via Jim Linwood

According to the official history of St. Bride’s Church, the site that the church rests on has been a place of worship not long after the Romans established Londonium in 43 CE. Around the early 6 th century, the first stone-walled church was built on the site — it is believed that the church was either founded by St. Bride (Saint Brigid of Kildare) herself of Celtic monks who has settled in London.

Due to its fortuitous location as the first church encountered on the route between London and Westminster, St. Bride’s became an important gathering place.

One of St. Bride’s biggest claim to fame is that the churchyard was the site of England’s first printing press with movable type in 1501.

Unfortunately, St. Bride’s was completely destroyed by the Great Fire of London in 1666. Eventually, the church was completely rebuilt and today, it is designated as a Grade I listed building, making St. Bride’s Church a protected historical site.

3. St. Pancras Old Church

Year Built: Unknown – possibly as early as 314 CE, but most likely 625 CE
Location: Somers Town, Central London
Purpose: Church (Current Denomination – Church of England)
Still Standing: Yes

photo source: Wikimedia Commons via Pauk

While the exact origins of the St. Pancras Old Church are unknown, it is believed to be one of the oldest sites of Christian worship in England. According to information panels situated around the church, St. Pancras was possibly built sometime in the early 4 th century, originally serving as a public worship and meeting place for the Romans.

Local historian Charles Lee believes that the site was eventually converted into a center for Christian worship shortly after the restoration of religious freedom in 313 and that the church was named for Pancras, who had just been martyred at the time.

Reconstruction of St. Pancras in the 19 th century did reveal Roman tiles in the tower’s foundation as well as an altar stone dated to 625 CE. The church was restored a few more times and is currently still in operation as part of the Old St Pancras Team Ministry.

2. Temple of Mithras (London Mithraeum)

Year Built: c.240 CE
Location: Modern-day Walbrook
Purpose: Temple/sanctuary
Still Standing: No – only partial ruins remain

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

The Temple of Mithras is one of the few remnants leftover from the Roman Empire’s time in the area and is one of the oldest buildings ever discovered in London. The temple, also called the London Mithraeum was built around 240 CE and was dedicated to the Roman god of mystery, Mithras. Later in the early fourth century, the temple was rededicated to Bacchus.

The London Mithraeum was uncovered in 1954 during construction of a building near the Walbrook river. After its discovery, the temple was excavated W.F. Grimes, the director of the Museum of London at the Time.

Grimes and his team uncovered several rare artifacts, including marble statues of Roman gods such as Minerva and Mercury, as well as over 400 wooden writing tablets — among the tablets is the oldest financial document from London and earliest mention of London (Londinium) by name in a written document.

1. London Wall

Year Built: Between 190 – 225 CE
Location: Tower Hill, East End
Purpose: Defensive city wall
Still Standing: No – only partial ruins remain

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

Although it isn’t exactly a building, the London Wall built by the Romans in the late 2 nd century or early 3 rd century is widely considered to be the oldest building in London. The Romans built the wall sometime after they established the port town of Londinium and constructed a fort in 120 CE.

The wall was one of the largest construction projects in Roman Britain, measuring about 4 km (2.5 miles) long and enclosing a space of about 134 hectares (330 acres).

After the fall of Western Roman Empire, the wall remained in use by the various occupants of London. The wall was repaired often and served as the original boundary of the city of London until the medieval period.

During the Great Fire of London in 1666, nearly all of the old city of London within the walls was destroyed. Nearly all of the walls remains and the seven city gates were demolished in the 18 th century, but some of the original parts of the wall remain standing as protected historical landmarks.

What Is London’s Oldest Building?

‘London’s oldest…’ is a statement that gets thrown around an awful lot in this city. And there are certainly a lot of old buildings to choose from (we’ll save the ruins around the city for another time). Here are some of the buildings that reckon they have a claim to the title of ‘London’s oldest’.

The oldest house in the city

The only house in the City of London to survive to our own times from before the Great Fire in 1666, 41 Cloth Fair was built between 1597 and 1614, making it the oldest house in the city. The Landmark Trust owns the house next door, if you fancy an overnight stay with a slice a history.

Breaking the Rules

Rules declares itself to be the oldest restaurant in London, established in 1768. It’s only been owned by three different families throughout that time. We’re fond of Rules, despite its old fashioned ways. Sneak upstairs to the bar for one of the best London cocktails and avoid the theatre crowds at the same time.

Towers of torture

The White Tower is the oldest part of the famed Tower of London, and it’s actually the oldest intact building in London. It was the first bit of the tower to be built by William the Conqueror, partly to subdue Londoners. It’s said that Guy Fawkes was interrogated in the basement.

The oldest place to buy wine?

Berry Bros & Rudd is the oldest wine and spirit merchant in London. It’s been trading from the same premises since 1698.

If you’re looking for even older places to have a glass of wine, crowd-pleaser Gordon’s on Villiers Street touts itself as London’s oldest wine bar, said to date back to 1890. However we’re tempted to call fibs here — The Olde Wine Shades on Martin Lane is definitely much older. It was built in 1663 and survived the Great Fire of London. Its current small plates menu probably doesn’t date back that far.

Spaniards, Lions, Lambs and Flags

London’s oldest pub is a lot harder to call, largely because lots of London’s pubs have been demolished and remodelled over the centuries. Some that could have a fair crack at the title include The Spaniards Inn, which used to have a pistol (supposedly) fired by highwayman Dick Turpin above the bar, was said to be built as a toll inn in 1585, but the entire pub is shrouded in so many myths and stories it’s hard to know what to believe. Be very suspicious of claims that Dick Turpin’s dad was the landlord at one point. And, of course, it’s haunted.

The Lamb & Flag on Rose Street is in a building that dates back to before the Great Fire, but the first mention of a pub on the site — The Cooper’s Arms — was in 1772, and it didn’t get its current name until 1833.

One of the many Red Lions in London, there’s been a pub in the spot on Parliament Street since 1434, when it was known as the Hopping Hall. The current building only dates back to 1733.

How many ways can you patch up an old church?

We’ve already given you the pick of London’s oldest churches, and it’s hard to unravel which is the definitive on that list because some of them have been knocked down and rebuilt, or have parts that date back further than the rest. St Bartholomew-the-Great in Smithfield might be the oldest intact continuous place of worship, dating back to 1123. Some parts of the original building remain, but is that enough to call it the oldest church?

All Hallows in east London dates back to 625, but very little of the original structure remains. St Paul’s Cathedral is much the same story: sure, the site is old and there’s been a church on the site since 604, St Paul’s is thought to be the fourth, but the current version surrounded by selfie sticks and wedding magazine photographers wasn’t finished by Wren until 1711.

So what is the oldest building in London? Does a cobbled together piece of history count, or do you need your buildings fully intact before it can qualify?

London FAQ’s: What are the Oldest and Newest Buildings in London?

We asked our Fans on Facebook to ask us their burning questions about London. We’ve chosen the best questions and over the next few weeks, we’ll answer them. Have your own burning questions about London? Contact us and ask!

Kathy Culwell asks: What are the oldest and newest buildings in London?

This was a fun question to explore. The oldest surviving building still standing in London is the White Tower located within the grounds of the Tower of London. The White Tower was built by William the Conqueror in 1066 on the banks of the Thames to keep the residents of his newly conquered kingdom in line.

The White Tower is definitely a highlight of any visit to the Tower of London.

Now, as for the newest building in London. There are new buildings in London going up everyday but by the far coolest and most significant building to be finished in London this year is The Shard.

The Shard, so named because of its striking conical shape, is Europe’s tallest (and Britain’s) building. Made of glass and steel, it’s become a unmissable sight on the London Skyline since it was complete.

The View From the Shard will open in February 2013 and will feature what’s probably the best views of London from above.

There are older bits of buildings throughout London – most notably the remains of the City of London’s original Roman Wall, which you can see in the grounds of the Tower of London as well as at the Museum of London.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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.

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.

What is the oldest part of London?

The oldest parts of London are near the banks of the Thames. Archaeological work has shown a large Mesolithic timber structure (approximately 6,500 years old) at Vauxhall.

What are the oldest buildings in London?

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

Which is the oldest street in London?

Fleet Street is named after the River Fleet, which runs from Hampstead to the River Thames at the western edge of the City of London. It is one of the oldest roads outside the original city and was established by the Middle Ages.

Does London have an old town?

The City of London takes the title of the oldest part of London. The area stands upon what was once the Roman town of Londinium, and boasts top historic attractions such as The Monument, Bank of England Museum and London’s Roman Amphitheatre.

What is the oldest thing in the UK?

The UK’s oldest and most awesome ancient trees

What is England’s smallest city?

And St Davids is the UK’s smallest city with 1,600 inhabitants, having earned its honour in 1995. Most people think they know what a city is – a large, densely-populated, distinct urban area. And a lovely old cathedral is a must.

Which city has 2 cathedrals?

Liverpool is unusual in having two cathedrals (or should that be cathedra) As the title says Liverpool has two cathedrals so make sure this is the one you want to go to! It is the Gothic Anglican cathedral not the modernistic Catholic one affectionately known as Paddys wigwam in the city.

What is the most famous street in London?

A Look at The Most Famous Streets in London

Which is the most famous park in London?

Hyde Park. Probably the most famous park in London, Hyde Park is also the largest of the four royal parks in central London.

When did London begin?

The city of London was founded by the Romans and their rule extended from 43 AD to the fifth century AD, when the Empire fell. During the third century, Londinium, the name given to the town by the Romans, had a population of 50,000, mainly due to the influence of its major port.

Is London bigger than New York?

London’s stood at 8.3 million, while NYC stood at 8.4 million. London, however, has much more room for its inhabitants — it’s 138 square miles bigger than NYC. So it’s pretty safe to say that New York is way more crowded than London. London wins because it’s less crowded than New York City.

What’s the oldest village in England?

A Wiltshire town has been confirmed as the longest continuous settlement in the United Kingdom. Amesbury, including Stonehenge, has been continually occupied since 8820BC, experts have found.

Why is London not a city?

Although it falls under the jurisdiction of Greater London and the GLA, the City of London has a special status: it has its own government, its own mayor and its own independent police force.

What is the oldest pub in England?

Oldest pub in England

Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem is one of several pubs claiming to be the oldest in England – others that claim to be the oldest include Ye Olde Salutation Inn and The Bell Inn, also in Nottingham, and Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St Albans, north of London.

What are the oldest things on Earth?

10 Oldest Things on Earth