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That dark curve in Guildhall Yard's paving marks the outer wall of London's Roman arena.

A Roman arena for up to 7,000 people lies under Guildhall Yard. How it was found in 1988, and how to see the remains free.

Guildhall Yard seen from high above: a dark curved band sweeps across the patterned paving in front of Guildhall Art Gallery, with people crossing the yard. Text: This dark curve marks a Roman arena's wall. In Guildhall Yard, London.A broken section of Roman wall standing in the dark underground gallery, brightly lit, with glowing outlines of figures on the wall behind. Text: Found in 1988. During the dig for Guildhall Art Gallery.A dark band of stone curving across the pale paving of Guildhall Yard, seen at a low angle. Text: Up to 7,000 people could watch.The wide underground gallery: low Roman walls and a dark timber drain on a sandy floor, with glowing outlines of figures on the wall behind. Text: Wet ground saved the wood. Timber drains, nearly 2,000 years old.How to visit, with a street map showing Guildhall Art Gallery between St Paul's, Moorgate and Bank. Text: Under Guildhall Art Gallery. Free. Usually 10am to 5pm daily. Closures: see caption.

5 slides. Swipe or scroll sideways. .

Arenas were more often found outside the walls of Roman towns, so archaeologists were amazed to find this one in 1988, during the dig for Guildhall Art Gallery. London Museum thinks it held up to 7,000 people, round an arena about the size of the yard.

Our tip: walk the curve in the yard first, then go down and see the walls.

Free, booking encouraged. Under Guildhall Art Gallery, Guildhall Yard, EC2V 5AE. Daily 10am to 5pm, last entry 4:45pm. Closed Mon 16 Nov and Mon 7 Dec. Shorter hours Fri 13 Nov (10am to 3:30pm) and Sat 14 Nov (11am to 5pm).

Sources: London Museum and the City of London's visitor pages, checked 2 Nov. Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each slide, cropped (details and licences: cityoflondon.live/credits), shared under the same licences. We're independent, not connected with the City of London Corporation.

Slide by slide.

  1. Guildhall Yard seen from high above: a dark curved band sweeps across the patterned paving in front of Guildhall Art Gallery, with people crossing the yard. Text: This dark curve marks a Roman arena's wall. In Guildhall Yard, London.
  2. A broken section of Roman wall standing in the dark underground gallery, brightly lit, with glowing outlines of figures on the wall behind. Text: Found in 1988. During the dig for Guildhall Art Gallery.
  3. A dark band of stone curving across the pale paving of Guildhall Yard, seen at a low angle. Text: Up to 7,000 people could watch.
  4. The wide underground gallery: low Roman walls and a dark timber drain on a sandy floor, with glowing outlines of figures on the wall behind. Text: Wet ground saved the wood. Timber drains, nearly 2,000 years old.
  5. How to visit, with a street map showing Guildhall Art Gallery between St Paul's, Moorgate and Bank. Text: Under Guildhall Art Gallery. Free. Usually 10am to 5pm daily. Closures: see caption.
Sources (7)
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