England’s capital was founded by the Romans almost 2000 years ago and now there are many historical sites in London to explore. From the rise and fall of monarchs, repelling of Viking invaders to the hunt for the shadowy Jack the Ripper, London is rich with historical sites that let you relive and experience every era the city has experienced. Check out these top things to do in London for further inspiration.
If you consider yourself an aficionado for all things historical, or your friend knows a bit of everything that’s ever happened (despite forgetting the day of the week), London’s got you covered.
Whether you’re looking to expand your general knowledge or discover more about the specific field that interests you, the vast number of historical attractions and tours in London has something to fascinate and intrigue everyone. Better still, the widespread availability of knowledge and the sheer number of history experts in London has cultivated a city where almost every attraction has its own information board or resident specialists to further enhance your experience.
The Tower of London
Founded in 1066 during the Norman conquest of England, the Tower of London is a well-known city landmark and prominent symbol of British endurance and monarchy. This grand castle has served many roles throughout its existence, being used as a prison, royal treasury and exotic bird collection, and currently houses the crown jewels as one of London’s most popular tourist attractions.
The history of this famous fortress is intertwined with that of the country and its most important figures.
The Tower of London was captured multiple times, used as both a home and jail for monarchs – including Edward V and Elizabeth I – and restored and expanded numerous times since its establishment after various conquests and bomb damages in World War II.
Today, the mighty walls and turrets we know as the Tower of London is protected as a world heritage site and looked after by the historic royal palaces charity. They offer many tours of the London castle, giving you all the history on its occupants, construction and royalty, using all donations and admission fees to continue the upkeep of this centuries-old landmark. This is one of those historical sites in London that should not be missed.
Jack the Ripper Tour
If you’re looking for the more gruesome and mysterious historical tours in London, this attraction delivers, delving into the circumstances surrounding London’s most infamous manhunt. From Osborne street to Mitre square, Whitechapel was gripped by terror in the Autumn of 1888. These gaslit streets and shady pubs of the old East End reveal the extent of human viciousness and mystery throughout this fearful chapter of Victorian history.
Detailing the efforts of London’s early police force, learn about every aspect of their perplexing investigation, from hoax letters to gory murder scenes and the identity of the Ripper himself. Rarely focused on, give yourself an in-depth understanding of the tragic victims; who they were in life, and how they were found in death…
This Jack the Ripper walking tour puts you in the shoes of the horrid myth himself, leading you down the narrow alleys and untouched cobbled streets of Whitechapel. Discover everything we’ve been able to learn about those gory nights and experience the Ripper’s stalking ground as he would have seen it in the 19th century.
Roman London
As the original founders and inhabitants of Londinium, the Romans played a vital role in the establishment and development of modern-day London. As such, many relics and pieces of evidence discovered underground and along the Thames tell us the story of their lives here. The smaller unearthed remnants – such as pottery, weapons and armour – can be seen and learnt about in various historical exhibitions around the city, such as the natural history museum and museum of London.
Outside the descriptions and informational labels of museum exhibits, London also has several carefully preserved Roman sites open to the public. Though in a state of disrepair, what’s left of these 2nd century buildings are in remarkably good shape for their age. For example, consider visiting or taking a tour into the London Mithraeum, a mysterious and intriguing temple devoted to the Greco-Roman god Mithras. Discovered underground and excavated in 1954, this monument is considered the most famous Roman discovery in London due to its size, preservation and number of intact artefacts, including detailed marble busts of several Roman deities. This is one of those historical sites in London for those who want to delve deep into the rich culture of the Roman history of this city.
Another Roman excavation, discovered in 1988 and opened to the public in 2002, is the London Amphitheatre. With its preserved stone walls, wooden detailing and gladiators’ chambers, this ancient arena would have been used to host gladiatorial battles and wild animal fights and can still be visited below the Guildhall art gallery. The range of relics and monuments still standing comprise a fascinating but mostly forgotten period of English history and provide an incredible insight into what life was like in the Roman era.
War Memorials
As England’s most populated city and its wars resulting in its greatest losses of life in the 20th century, it’s no surprise London has many memorials to those who gave their lives defending the country. The Cenotaph, in its current state, was built in 1920 and designed by Edwin Lutyens to commemorate the soldiers who lost their lives in world war I. Its iconic design, featuring a blend of sharp rising stone and intricate wreath details, inspired many similar and future war memorials that continue across the country into the current day.
Remembering another historical war, the famous Guards Crimean War Memorial in St James’s stands as both a celebration of the allied victory and commemoration to those who died in the Crimean War. Unveiled in 1861, the memorial features bronze statues of three guardsmen and a female personification of Honour, along with plaques to immortalise the “the brigade of guards who fell during the war with Russia in 1854–56”. This monument was taken down and relocated to its current position in 1915 to accommodate additional statues of crucial figures Florence Nightingale and then-secretary at war Sidney Herbert.
As a major trading hub, strategic military centre and popular tourist destination, London has been a melting pot for numerous societies and historical movements for its long and varied existence. Where people have been, history happens, and London is no different. Interestingly, as such a populated, culturally and politically significant area of England, the concentration of historic events and surviving relics is much higher in London than most other cities. Along with its ever-thriving tourism industry, all this makes for a number of museums, historical monuments and tours in London that’s irresistible to those with a hankering for history.
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