One of the most fascinating finds from the ancient city of Londinium has reopened to visitors.
Billingsgate Roman House and Baths in the City of London — an extraordinary subterranean find dating back to around AD 150 — is available to visit on guided tours on Saturdays from now until November.
Rediscovered by chance in the mid 19th century, these are the ruins of a private house and adjoining baths which would've been used by particularly wealthy inhabitants of Londinium. Bathers could move between the cold room (frigidarium), warm room (tepidarium), and hot room (caldarium) of the baths (Sounds lovely, although the tepidarium experience would sometimes involve some painful hair-plucking.) All have been revealed by excavations.
The Roman remains were uncovered in 1848, as construction workers dug the foundations for what would become the Coal Exchange on Lower Thames Street. At the time, the Illustrated London News hailed it "A discovery of the greatest interest to the London antiquary." Today, an office block sits atop the ancient ruins.
Tickets for Saturday slots are now on sale — costing £12 for adults and £10 for children (8+) and concessions. Additional booking fees apply.
The ruins are not to be confused with the 'Roman Bath' in Surrey Street near Temple, which is not actually Roman at all.
In February 2022, two stunning Roman mosaics were revealed on a site near London Bridge, at what was once likely a posh inn across the water from Londinium.
Billingsgate Roman House and Baths guided tours, April-November 2024. 101 Lower Thames Street, London EC3R 6DL
