London Guided Walks » Roman London Tour

Roman London Tour

Explore Londinium

See hugely impressive remains
Learn how Roman London was created and deserted
Qualified City of London guide

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Embark on an enlightening journey back in time to uncover the layers of history that lie just beneath the bustling streets of modern London. Our private tour, led by highly qualified and deeply passionate guides, invites you to explore the ancient origins of this magnificent city for a comprehensive ninety minutes that promises to be both educational and captivating.

Delve into the heart of Roman London, known to the ancients as Londinium, a city of great importance and a bustling trading post that once was. Our expert guides, equipped with extensive knowledge and an infectious enthusiasm for London’s history, will lead you through the city’s most impressive archaeological remains as well as its more subtle and lesser-known traces that elude the average eye. This private tour is an exclusive opportunity to uncover the secrets of Londinium’s past, offering insights into its grandeur and the intricate lives of its inhabitants.

Discover the strategic reasons behind Londinium’s establishment in its specific location, and get acquainted with some of the characters who walked its streets over two millennia ago. We will also explore the enigmatic decline of Roman London, shedding light on how such a thriving metropolis could nearly vanish from history, only to be reborn as the vibrant capital we know today.

The magnitude of Roman London’s footprint is nothing short of astonishing. Our journey will not only highlight the significant architectural and urban achievements of the Romans but also invite you to consider the daily lives, trades, and even the dramas that unfolded in this historic setting.

By joining us, you’re not just taking a walk through London; you’re stepping back into a bygone era where every stone, every ruin, and every forgotten corner has a story to tell. Our guides are not just historians; they are storytellers, eager to share with you the monumental history that is, quite literally, beneath our feet.

This private walking tour is an essential experience for anyone passionate about history, archaeology, or the enduring legacy of one of the world’s greatest cities. Come along and let us reveal the wonders of Roman London, a journey through time where the past is always underfoot, waiting to be rediscovered.

Your Guide: Ian McDiarmid

Your Guide: Jenny Funnell

Roman London Tour Reviews

Lynn

My husband and I booked our Roman Tour with Ian. It was in May of 2024. We still regard this as one of the best experiences we had in London. We wanted to dig deep into the history of the city. Ian’s knowledge of history made it possible to visualize a city within what would appear to be an old brick wall. His knowledge and ability to convey visual imagery made Londinium come alive.

Ian was most welcoming and encouraging, with a very solid knowledge of the subject that was presented in a way engaging and entertaining. He demonstrated a concern for both traditional interpretations and what new archeology and historical interpretations have brought into the student Londinium and the period that followed. I would recommend this tour for anyone seeking a grounding in the origins of London and to understand the long impacts of Rome’s empire on the shaping of the city and of Britain more broadly.

Jane

Ian was very welcoming and engaging, instantly creating a rapport with the group. He knew an incredible amount of information and talked about it interestingly and entertainingly. I learned a lot, and especially enjoyed his talk on the Roman baths at Billingsgate – I will definitely go back there for another visit – and also about the basilica and forum around Leadenhall Market. Ian was great at answering questions, and always repeated them so the whole group could hear. It was the right pace for me. All in all, a superb walk and an excellent guide.

Pauline

Excellent guided tour of Roman London. The guide was very knowledgeable and spoke with clarity, making it a very interesting and worthwhile few hours. Would definitely recommend it.

Charmian

Excellent insight into the Roman past. Easy to miss things without a guide and explanation. Ian was superb and easy to listen to and happy to answer questions. Highly recommend this walk and then maybe a visit to the London museum. As the saying goes, “what did the Romans ever do for us?” Plenty it seems and the genesis of London.

Peter

This was excellent and a great way to start getting out and about again. It was quite a revelation about the beginning of my home city. Our guide Ian was knowledgeable, enthusiastic, friendly and approachable. I’m fired up to find out more about Londinium and am intending to visit the Museum of London soon.

Machiko

Ian McDiarmid is a knowledgeable historian. He guided us through London’s Roman historical places, which had full of surprises, in very engaging way and easing comprehending way.

Really fascinating walk telling me quite a bit I didn’t know about Roman London. Ian, the guide, was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and patient with questions. Recommended!

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