LONDINIUM

Archeologists have not found evidence of a major settlement where London city now stands prior to the Roman settlement of Londinium.  The Romans settled there after an invasion in the year 43AD.  Other than being destroyed by Queen Boudica and her followers in the year 60 AD, Londinium grew and prospered over the next few centuries.  The London wall and 6 of the 7 gates into London still remain as evidence of this time.  Of course, the Romans settled throughout the UK and many remnants of their technology have been excavated throughout the island that is Britain.  Roman tiles, Roman baths and villas that show how they heated their homes with hot water in pipes under the floor are just some of the things that you can see as you travel around. After 410AD the Romans left Britain and Londinium was abandoned until the Saxons arrived.  There have been signs of their presence found around Covent Garden that suggest the Saxons were there in the 6th Century or possible later in the 5th Century.

This year from July 28th-Oct 29th in the City of London runs ‘Londinium.’  The different events to portray Roman life over 2000 years ago will be portrayed in and around the London Wall.  The London Museum is hosting events as is the Guildhall Art Gallery where remnants of the amphitheatre have been found.  There is a walk to the old Roman fort and walks on the old streets from that era.  Some of the events are as follows:

 St. Lawrence Jewry Summer Mosaics Exhibition - “Rome to London" (July 11-Sept 17 Mon-Fri 8-5)
Billingsgate Roman House Tours  (Saturdays and Sundays 10:30 and 12pm until November)
Scull Head Trauma at the Guildhall Art Gallery Amphitheatre (ongoing Mon-Sat 10-5 and Sun 12-4pm
Roman Gate Tours at the Roman Military Fort (July 28th and 29th 2-230pm)
The City Beneath our Feet - Guided Walks Mondays at 2pm and Fridays at 11am (ongoing)
Daily storytelling and Object Handling (July 25-Sep 03) at the Museum of London
Guildhall Art Gallery & Roman London and Amphitheatre tours (Tues, Fri and Sat various times)
Swords and Sandals - outdoor theatre (Aug 7-15 6:30pm for 845pm start)
Family fun Roman activities at the Guildhall art gallery (Aug 8-9 various times)
Romans in London Bridge Area  (various days)
Londinium from Leatherhall Market (Sept 5-13 various times)
Walk Roman London from the Museum of London (Aug 13th 2-3:30pm)

Play:  Boudica at the Globe Theatre (Sept 8th-Oct 1 various times)

Go to visitlondon.com and look under events for August.  There you will see the link to Londinium.  The information is set out by month.

Many of the events are free and are for children and adults alike.  Enjoy London this summer!