The hidden gem of Billingsgate Roman Bathhouse has been unearthed in more ways than one! This 1,800-year-old time capsule is now a contender for the prestigious 'Toast the City' award, and we can't help but feel that it's going to make some noise in the City. Nestled beneath an unassuming office block at 101 Lower Thames Street, this ancient Roman site has been lying in wait to reveal its secrets to a wider audience.
The trailblazer behind the discovery was none other than James Bunning, the City of London Surveyor back in 1848. His determination to preserve the Roman remains, rather than destroy them like so many others at the time, has left us with a treasure trove of history that's begging to be explored. And explore it we can – descending into the depths beneath the old Coal Exchange via an iron staircase, visitors are transported back in time to a world where Romans soaked up the sights and sounds of the Thames.
Fast forward to the 1960s, when road widening plans tore through the area, and what initially seemed like the loss of this hidden gem turned out to be just the beginning. The subsequent demolition led to an even more incredible find – a whole Roman house surrounding the original bath section! It was Peter Marsden's City of London Archaeology team that pieced together this ancient puzzle, unearthing secrets from the late second century and revealing a coin hoard that tells us a tale of occupation right up until the end of Roman rule.
The enigmatic bathhouse itself remains something of an enigma – added around 50 years after its construction, it's thought to have been more than just a place for relaxation. Could it have served as a tavern or inn, catering to weary travellers? Theories abound, but one thing is certain: this ancient bathhouse offers an electrifying contrast to the steel and concrete jungle above.
Unlike many of its modern counterparts, Billingsgate Roman Bathhouse remains unpretentiously 'raw archaeology' – a site that's still as much about discovery as it is about preservation. And with only public tours available on Saturdays from April to November (book through the City of London website), you'll have to be quick to get your ticket and immerse yourself in history's secret world.