Londonist's Back Passage

A tribute to the capital’s alleys, ginnels and snickleways.

28. Unnamed passage through the Roman wall

Where? Just north of Tower Hill (see map below) on Cooper's Row, a hotel forecourt leads through to a hidden section of London's Roman wall. An opening to the left (where that chap's passing through) leads out towards Minories.

What? Where else in London can you enjoy an Italian coffee next to a 1900 year-old Italian relic? The courtyard of the Grange City Hotel conceals one of the few surviving sections of Roman wall, sited just metres from the tourist hub of Tower Hill. Most of what you see in the photo is Medieval, but the red-banded foundations are from the time of the Caesars. A transmural passage and a style (of no substance) lead to nowhere in particular.

Why use? Impress friends and family by showing them one of those recondite sites that have yet to reach most guide books.