Description
Temple Bar London is a spectacular historical monument located in Paternoster Square right next to St Paul's Cathedral in the City of London. Originally serving as the grand stone gateway marking the boundary between the City of London and Westminster, it offers an incredible architectural pitstop for families exploring the capital's deep past. If you are looking for the best things to do with kids in the City of London, this beautifully restored monument provides a fantastic, real-world connection to kings, queens, and ancient city traditions.
Prices start from £0, as standing in Paternoster Square to look at and walk under the grand stone archway is completely free. Families can explore the monumental gateway and admire its intricately carved royal statues at any time of day without spending a single penny.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines legendary British history, world-famous architecture, and a spacious traffic-free plaza, this historic gateway is an ideal addition to your urban itinerary. It delivers an engaging, low-cost educational experience that helps school-aged children visualize how old London was defended, while giving them plenty of space to stretch their legs.
Features
- Free
- Host birthday parties: No
Features
Top Features
- The Only Surviving City Gateway: Standing proud as the absolute last surviving gateway into the City of London out of the original ten stone portals.
- Designed by Sir Christopher Wren: A brilliant architectural masterclass created by the very same legendary architect who built St Paul's Cathedral.
- National Curriculum Connections: A fantastic real-world learning tool for children studying the Stuart era, King Charles II, or the historical layout of London.
- Traffic-Free Open Plaza: Situated safely inside a broad, pedestrianized square, making it a stress-free zone for parents with children.
Highlights
- The Portland Stone Archway: The primary focus of the monument is its huge central archway, meticulously crafted out of highly prized Portland stone from quarries in Dorset. Children will love walking beneath the massive structure, looking up to see how seventeenth-century stonemasons carefully fitted the stone blocks together to form a grand entrance.
- The Statues of the Westminster Side: When looking at the western flank of the gate facing towards Westminster, kids can spot two beautifully carved royal statues nestled into stone niches. These figures represent Queen Elizabeth I and King James I, standing as permanent stone guardians watching over those traveling towards the royal courts.
- The Statues of the City Side: On the eastern face of the gate looking directly into the City of London, children will find a second pair of grand statues. These figures depict King Charles I and King Charles II, the monarchs who reigned during the tumultuous century when the current stone gatehouse was built.
- The Upper Chamber Pediments: The upper section of the stone structure features classical architecture decorations, including large carved scrolls flanking the sides. Though some of the original fruit and flower details have worn away over the centuries, it gives kids a perfect opportunity to spot historical wear and tear on a real artifact.
- The Ecclesiastical Windows: In the absolute center of each facade sits a beautiful semicircular arched window that feeds natural light into the chamber above the gateway. Parents can share the historical fact that this hidden room was once rented out to bankers to store their secret account books.
Beyond the Main Attraction: Because inspecting the historic archway is a quick experience, families can easily transition into secondary local attractions. The world-famous St Paul's Cathedral is situated just steps away, where older kids can marvel at the massive dome or climb up to the galleries. Additionally, a short 10-minute walk south leads you to All Hallows by the Tower, which features a fascinating free underground crypt museum. Alternatively, families can take a brief walk west down Fleet Street to view Prince Henry’s Room, another incredible survival of pre-Great Fire timber architecture.
0.09 miles
