When you think of Roman ruins, ancient structures left behind by the Roman Empire that still exist today. Also known as Roman archaeological sites, they’re not just relics—they’re tangible links to a time when London was a small settlement called Londinium. You don’t need to fly to Rome to see them. Right outside the city, buried under modern streets and parks, are remnants of a 2,000-year-old empire that once ruled Britain.
One of the most surprising things about Roman roads, engineered highways built by the Romans to move troops and goods across their empire. Also known as Roman causeways, they formed the backbone of early British transport is how many still influence today’s routes. The A4, for example, follows the path of Ermine Street, a major Roman road that ran from London to York. Walk along parts of it near St. Albans or along the edge of Epping Forest, and you’re literally walking where Roman soldiers once marched. Then there are the Roman baths, public bathing complexes that served as social hubs in Roman cities. Also known as thermae, they combined hygiene, leisure, and politics. The best-preserved ones near London are in Bath—about 90 minutes away—but smaller fragments show up in unexpected places, like under a pub basement in the City of London. Even the foundations of the Roman wall, built to protect Londinium, still peek out near Tower Hill and the Museum of London.
These ruins aren’t just for history buffs. They’re proof that London’s soul runs deeper than its skyscrapers. The same soil that holds the ruins of a Roman temple also supports today’s coffee shops and tube stations. You can stand where a Roman merchant once traded pottery, then step into a modern pub and order a pint—same ground, different century. The Roman ruins near London don’t shout for attention. They whisper. And if you know where to look, they tell stories no guidebook can fully capture.
Below, you’ll find a curated collection of posts that dig into London’s hidden past—from ancient pathways to forgotten temples. Whether you’re planning a weekend walk or just curious about what lies beneath the city, these articles show you where to go, what to see, and why it still matters.
Discover the most beautiful historical sites near London, from Roman walls and Viking ruins to ancient hillforts and medieval cathedrals-each with deep roots in British history and easy to reach from the capital.
