Description
London’s Roman Amphitheatre is an extraordinary historical site buried beneath the modern Guildhall Yard in the heart of the City of London. Discovered by archaeologists in 1988, this atmospheric subterranean arena offers a fascinating window into ancient Roman life, making it one of the best things to do with kids in the City of London. For school-aged children and young history enthusiasts, stepping down into these real ruins provides a rare opportunity to stand precisely where gladiators once fought for their lives.
Prices start from £0, as general admission to the amphitheatre is completely free of charge. While there is no entry fee, families must pre-book a timed General Admission ticket online to secure access to the museum space.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines genuine Roman archaeology, engaging digital technology, and fantastic value, this hidden gem is a perfect addition to your capital checklist. It delivers an educational, low-cost day out that brings the ancient past vividly to life while giving your children a break from the busy metropolitan streets.
Features
- Free
- Host birthday parties: No
Features
Top Features
- Real Roman Ruins: Children can step directly into the preserved remains of London's oldest sporting venue, constructed around AD 70.
- Digital Projection Technology: Innovative neon digital light outlines seamlessly fill in the gaps of the ruins, helping young imaginations picture the massive stone structure that once stood here.
- National Curriculum Links: A stellar real-world educational resource for Key Stage 2 school children currently learning about the Roman Empire and Londinium.
- Fascinating Artifact Displays: Showcases incredible ancient items uncovered during excavations, including coins, pottery, and gladiatorial style tools.
Highlights
- The Outdoor Guildhall Yard Ring: Before you even step inside, take a look down at the floor of the Guildhall Yard. A brilliant, wide curved ring of dark paving stones tracks the exact path of the ancient arena's outer wall. It gives children an immediate sense of how huge the structure was, stretching out underneath the modern plaza.
- Original Entrance Walls: Once inside and downstairs, children can stand next to the massive, authentic stone and wooden structures built by Roman engineers nearly 2,000 years ago. These surviving walls framed the main gateway where spectators and competitors would file into the venue.
- The Gladiator Digital Projections: Because parts of the amphitheatre were lost over time, the gallery uses striking green light displays mapped onto the walls. These projections illustrate the seating banks and show moving outlines of gladiators fighting, bringing a dynamic visual element that keeps tech-savvy kids fully engaged.
- Ancient Drainage System: Thanks to the damp, waterlogged soil conditions of the site, sections of the original Roman timber drains have been perfectly preserved. Kids can see the clever engineering tricks Romans used to keep their massive public entertainment arena from flooding.
- The Arena Sand Layer: The exhibition includes a clear look at the actual ancient ground level, where sand was heavily spread over the floor. Parents can share the historical fact that this sand was used specifically to absorb the blood of wounded gladiators and wild animals during public spectacles.
Beyond the Main Attraction: Because exploring the underground amphitheatre takes less than an hour, families can easily extend their historical day out. The site is located directly inside the Guildhall Art Gallery, which features magnificent Victorian paintings and changing art installations that are also free to browse. Additionally, a brief 10-minute walk south leads you straight to the monumental St Paul’s Cathedral, or you can head a few minutes north to visit the London Museum at Barbican to view an even larger collection of Roman London relics.
0.04 miles
