Interpretation of London City Walls

Notes on the interpretation of the London City Walls as case-study for Seoul City Walls project

The London City Wall was built in the Roman period (around 180 -200 AD), repairs, heightening and building of some Bastions took place in the Medieval period. When the City expanded outside of the Walls in the 16th Century the integrity of the Walls was abandoned, and property owners often either destroyed the wall or incorporated it into the back wall of their properties. However, because of the tendency to maintain property boundaries, much of the line of the City wall remained inherent in the City Plan.

In the 1760's the City Gates (7 of them) were pulled down as part of road widening to reduce traffic jams at the City Gate.

Fragments of the London City Wall survive in 5 or 6 places - in one place right up to the Crenellations. Several of these fragments were revealed by bombing in the blitz, and the ruined structures obscuring the walls were removed or cleaned up to allow the public to see the walls. Various signage systems were installed.

When the Museum of London was built - a viewing window looking out to the City Wall was created. When the Barbican was built, the City Wall was made a feature of the landscaping around the perimeter of the site. The name the Barbican itself comes from a tower defending one of the City Gates.

In the 1980's the London Wall walk was created using ceramic plaques, as illustrated. A guide book was issued with the route of the wall marked and several walking companies created Wall Walks. Recently, at one site (Noble St) the ceramic tiles have been augmented or replaced by metallic signs.

However, the wall cannot be said to be a vital part of London's tourist trade, a very small minority of visitors walk around it, a few visits with walking tours. Most tourists only contact with it will be on the Red Tourist Bus routes as , one part of the wall is visible, opposite the Tower of London and this is pointed out in commentaries. Some archaeological fragments exist in the Tower of London and these are marked. Another section is visible from the road called London Wall near the Museum of London.

Although not a vital part of the tourist trade perhaps the one view of it tourists see, do help give an impression of the antiquity of London. However, if used in educational programmes it can have a benefit in encouraging civic pride.

Click here to see route

Pictures below:

City Wall near Tower of London
Wall at St Alphage
Medallion with the first ever view of London (the City gate)
Ceramic Panel
Roman Wall in Barbican
Ceramic Panel and Blue Plaque