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London’s Medieval Sites: 15 Secret Ruins, Churches & Buildings

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Tudor architecture might be utterly fascinating, but when you learn about all the gorgeous medieval sites in London, you dreamily get ever more fascinated about church ruins, crypts and old buildings.

The Middle Ages were one of the longest periods in history, ranging roughly from the 5th to the 15th century, and London – especially the City of London – still bears acute marks of its architecture.

History lovers rejoice, and discover here all kinds of medieval sites, from castles to church ruins, to put in your bucket list whether you’re a local or traveling to London for the first time!

London’s Medieval Sites: 15 Secret Ruins, Churches & Buildings

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If you’re looking for unusual places to visit in London, we’ve written a fair bit about them, with gorgeous buildings tainted with history, secret gardens and beautiful Roman ruins.

The city of London might be fast-paced, with new roadworks and new buildings opening quite often, but its history is still visible in lots of old parts of London.

From London Bridge to the Docklands and Limehouse, London’s maritime history is still strong, while Southwark and the City of London is where you will find medieval ruins, with castles, gates to long-disappeared palaces, doors and old churches.

If you’re living in London on a budget (student, digital nomad, families…), well, the city offers lots of free activities.

But nothing is better – in my opinion – than to spend a day in London walking its pretty streets and neighborhoods on your own, learning about all the secrets the city bears.

Fascinating is the word – make sure you include these in your bucket list when visiting London!

Most Beautiful Medieval Sites in London: St John’s Gate, Clerkenwell

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons

St John’s Gate in Clerkenwell is one of my favorite medieval sites in London, and one tourists almost never get to discover – what a shame!

St John’s Gate is one of the oldest buildings in London, also known as the Order of St John’s Gate, which used to be the main entrance to the religious order of the Priory of the Order of St John’s.

During the English reformation, the medieval gate built in 1504 was the only part of the priory spared, and later restored to maintain its culture, history and beauty.

You now have a museum on-site in which you can learn about the Priory – probably one of the dreamiest medieval ruins in London!

Read: How to Eat Lunch in London Under £5

Medieval Sites in London:
St John’s Gate:
26 St John’s Ln, London EC1M 4DA

Most Beautiful Medieval Sites in London: The Charterhouse Monastery

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Photo: Historic Houses

One of the most secret buildings in London, the Charterhouse was founded in 1371 and served several purposes throughout the centuries, from a Cathusian monastery to a Tudor mansion and an almshouse.

Located in the heart of the City of London, the Charterhouse is still one of the most beautiful medieval sites in London, which can be and should be visited at the earliest!

The Charterhouse gardens feel secret and peaceful, and the building, namely with its chapel and Great Hall offers perfect examples of Tudor and medieval architectures.

Again, with the Charterhouse’s location close to other medieval buildings such as St John’s Gate and St Alphage Garden, you start to see a more precise pattern for the location of old London – fascinating.

Read: The Best British Shops in London for UK Brands

Medieval Sites in London:
Charterhouse:
Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6AN

Most Beautiful Medieval Sites in London: Temple Church

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons

We’ve already mentioned Temple Church off Fleet St quite a handful of times on The Working Line – namely, it’s one of the prettiest churches in London.

You can still visit it, and nearby, you’ll find the Inner Garden, one of London’s most secret gardens, with a fountain, sculptures, and beautifully-structured buildings.

Temple Church was consecrated in 1185 and were used as the English headquarters of the Knights Templar, and its round, crisp shape has been gorgeously preserved, centuries after the dissolution of the religious order.

There are few Knights Templar buildings in London you can still visit, and Temple Church is one of them, open to the public on the daily during the week.

Walking from Temple Church and the Inner Garden, you will find near St Paul’s one of the coolest free rooftops in London at One New Change – a good way to feel London in another way.

But if you’d rather keep going with secret spots, one of London’s best hidden cafes, Host Cafe in St Mary Aldermary is a must-visit.

Host Cafe is indeed established right inside the church, with stained glass windows, huge arches and a beautiful white setting – and easily accessible from both Temple Church and St Paul’s!

Read: Opulent Dining, London’s Best Maximalist Restaurants

Medieval Sites in London:
Temple Church:
Temple, London EC4Y 7BB

Most Beautiful Medieval Sites in London: Jewel Tower

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Photo: Garden Visit

Although the area around the Jewel Tower is one of the most visited in town, since it’s no other than Westminster, the building in itself is still one of the best hidden gems in London.

Built around 1365-1366 under Edward III, the Jewel Tower had a role its name explains perfectly: it was built to house Edward III’s jewels, gold, and other valuables.

When you reach Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament from London Bridge, you’ll only need a few minutes to reach this stunning medieval building.

The museum inside is probably one of the most underrated museums in London, with historical exhibitions about the area and the tower itself.

Yet, it really is the medieval architecture, rocky, sturdy, and gorgeous that makes it worthwhile.

Read: Harrods Knightsbridge, London’s Prettiest Department Store

Medieval Sites in London:
Jewel Tower:
Abingdon St, London SW1P 3JY

Most Beautiful Medieval Sites in London: St Alphage London Wall

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons

St. Alphage London Wall, St Alphage Garden of its new name, is another one of the prettiest medieval sites in London, located in the heart of Barbican.

Close by, you have the Museum of London, one of the most famous landmarks in London, and the entire Barbican and Farringdon area are must-sees if you love coming across beautiful neighborhoods.

Damaged during the Great Fire of London in 1666, St. Alphage London Wall church was then rebuilt by famous architect Sir Christopher Wren in 1685, only to be demolished in 1923.

Today, the atmosphere at St Alphage Garden is very much reminiscent of that at St Dunstan in the East Garden, and a perfect place to write or read in London.

On site, you can still see the foundations of the church, the churchyard and part of the outer wall.

Dreamy, ethereal, St. Alphage Garden is one of my favorite medieval ruins in London because of its quiet beauty.

Read: The Best Hidden Gems in Oxford Street

Medieval Sites in London:
St. Alphage Garden:
Barbican, London EC2Y 5DE

Most Beautiful Medieval Sites in London: Tower of London

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Photo: Condé Nast Traveler

The Tower of London was built in the 11th century by none other than William the Conqueror, and if you bear at least a bit of interest to London’s landmarks, you probably know about this one.

Located close to the famous Tower Bridge, the Tower of London has had many a role over the years, from a fortress to a prison and a royal residence.

The pathway around Tower Bridge is cute and green, the perfect spot to see some nature in London.

One of the best-preserved medieval sites in London, the Tower of London can be visited and looks astonishing during spring and autumn.

To learn about London’s medieval and Tudor history, this is an amazing place to visit and discover the beauty of the Crown Jewels, the dark history of the Tower of London as a prison, and why there are ravens kept in the Tower at all times.

Read: The Best Christmas Shop Windows in London

Medieval Sites in London:
Tower of London:
London EC3N 4AB

Most Beautiful Medieval Ruins in London: Charnel House, Spitalfields

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Photo: Ben Rimmer on Flickr

In Bishops Square, Spitalfields, two steps away from Italian food shop Eataly and Old Spitalfields Market, you’ll find Charnel House.

Charnel House is the name born by archaeological excavations that revealed foundations of medieval buildings, namely a chapel and a cemetery built in the 14th century.

While I always find lots of cool things to do in Liverpool Street, such as popping by study cafes and going makeup shopping, Charnel House is a place I only discovered a few years after moving to London.

A charnel house, originally, was a storage place for bones often located near cemeteries, and you can keep discovering more about this place at the Museum of London.

Indeed, some of the remains and artifacts found at Spitalfields’ Charnel House discovered in 1984 are exhibited there, allowing you to learn more about medieval London.

Read: The Best Hidden Gems in Soho

Medieval Sites in London:
Spitalfields Charnel House:
Bishops Square, London E1 6FQ

Most Beautiful Medieval Buildings in London: Staple Inn, Chancery Lane

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Staple Inn is a part-medieval, part-Tudor building located on Chancery Lane, High Holborn – and it’s one of the few timber-framed buildings that survived the Great Fire of London.

In Staple Inn, which used to be used as a trading post for wool, very valuable in medieval and Tudor England, and is believed to date back to around 1585.

Chancery Lane and High Holborn, which lead on one hand to Tottenham Court Road, and on the other hand to Barbican, Farringdon and East London, bear very visible traces of history.

However, Staple Inn is indeed one of the best-preserved medieval sites in London, which also host today one of the best Italian coffee shops in town, historical Caffè Vergnano.

Read: The Prettiest Mews in London

Medieval Sites in London:
Staple Inn:
Chancery Ln, London WC2A 1EN

Most Beautiful Medieval Buildings in London: All Hallows-by-the-Tower

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons

I love finding old churches in London, and All Hallows-by-the-Tower is a great example not only of medieval architecture, but of Roman architecture as well.

Founded in the 7th century, All Hallows-by-the-Tower survived the Great Fire of London and is located close to the Tower of London.

The crypt museum of the All Hallows-by-the-Tower church is probably one of the lesser-known museums in London, which displays items from different eras.

Indeed, the church itself displays Norman, Saxon and Gothic architecture, so beautiful that they make you wonder about man’s role and place in History.

All Hallows-by-the-Tower garden is as peaceful as they get, a quiet memorial garden which makes for the perfect place to read, journal, and get lost in your thoughts.

Read: Why Are There Colorful Streets in London

Medieval Sites in London:
All Hallows-by-the-Tower:
Byward St, London EC3R 5BJ

Most Beautiful Medieval Ruins in London: Winchester Palace, Southwark

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Located two steps away from Bread Ahead Bakery in Borough Market, Winchester Palace is one of the best hidden gems in London Bridge.

Dating back to the 12 century, and once the residence of the powerful Bishops of Winchester, Winchester Palace has seen its walls fall into decline from the 16th century.

The Great Fire of London further damaged it, and today, only the Great Hall and part of the Rose window remain, making Winchester Palace one of the prettiest ruins in London.

A Grade II-listed building, the palace ruins make for one of the most important medieval sites in London, and very much worth a visit before heading to gorgeous Southwark Cathedral.

Read: The Best Cheap Day Trips from London

Medieval Sites in London:
Winchester Palace:
Pickfords Wharf, London SE1 9DN

Most Beautiful Medieval Buildings in London: St. Helen’s Bishopsgate, City of London

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Photo: National Churches Trust

St. Helen’s Bishopsgate is located in the City of London, near Bishopsgate and Liverpool Street, one of my favorite areas of London.

Dating back to the 12th century, St. Helen’s Bishopsgate makes for a perfect photo spot with the Gherkin in the background, and its history is rich and powerful.

For starters, it’s one of the few medieval churches in London that survived both the Great Fire of London and the Blitz.

A Grade I-listed building, St. Helen’s Bishopsgate is still an active church which can be visited – the woodwork and stained glass windows are two highlights of this incredible landmark.

Read: Where To See Autumn Colors in London

Medieval Sites in London:
St. Helen’s Bishopsgate:
Great St Helen’s, London EC3A 6AT

Most Beautiful Medieval Sites in London: Westminster Abbey

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Photo: TimeOut

Westminster Abbey was founded in the 7th century, and is, as such, one of the oldest buildings in London.

The Gothic Church is one of the most important landmarks in London, and its location between Embankment and Victoria makes it easily accessible when traveling to London.

The current church’s structure dates back to the 13th century, and is both used for coronation ceremonies and a resting place for notable figures such as Charles Dickens, Isaac Newton and Queen Elizabeth I.

Today, Westminster Abbey is one of the most famous medieval sites in London, a World Heritage site, and one of the places that attract thousands of tourists every year.

Read: The Best Harry Potter Locations in London

Medieval Sites in London:
Westminster Abbey:
Dean’s Yard, London SW1P 3PA

Most Beautiful Medieval Sites in London: St Dunstan-in-the-East Church Ruins

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons

St Dunstan in the East was built in the 12th century, and like St Alphage Garden, was damaged in 1666 during the Great Fire of London.

Easily accessible from London Bridge, the medieval church ruins are an incredible sight if you are looking for a dreamy romantic date setting.

Rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren, the new St Dunstan in the East Church was again demolished during the Blitz in 1941, and never rebuilt.

However, the city of London decided to turn the church ruins into a public garden, which is an incredible place to see some nature in London.

Read: The Cutest Bakeries in London

Medieval Sites in London:
St Dunstan in the East:
St Dunstan’s Hill, London EC3R 5DD

Most Beautiful Medieval Sites in London: Eltham Palace

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons

One of the best hidden gems in South London, Eltham Palace is one of the most interesting examples of medieval architecture blended with decor from other crucial eras of British history.

Used by monarchs such as Edward IV and Henry VIII, Eltham Palace is still one of the most beautiful palaces in London, with its Great Hall being one of the highlights of a visit to the palace.

The Art Deco mansion built by socialites Stephen and Virginia Courtauld in the 1930s add that much more charm to the palace, which is open to the public.

Eltham is otherwise one of the cutest villages in London, and makes for a perfect day outside of Central London if you love history and architecture.

In addition, it’s pretty safe to say that the Eltham Palace gardens, gorgeous, secret, with a river and a stunning bridge, are a must-see whether you live in London or are traveling here for the first time.

Read: The Cutest Pink Places in London

Medieval Sites in London:
Eltham Palace:
Court Yard, London SE9 5QE

Most Secret Medieval Sites in London: St Alfege Church Crypt

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Photo: University of Greenwich Research Group

There are many really cool things to do in Greenwich, starting with Cutty Sark and the Painted Hall to the free views on Canary Wharf.

And of course, all the outlet shopping you can do at the ICON Outlet, one of London’s best shopping centers!

If you’re a history lover, you’ll be delighted to know that the beautiful St Alfege Church has a crypt that dates back to medieval times.

While the current St Alfege Church dates back to the 18th century, it was built on the grounds of previous churches that can be traced back to the medieval period.

The crypt itself was used for various events as well as storage, and today, it houses a small museum in which you can learn more about the church’s history.

It’s not open every day, though, so make sure you email or check the website for exact opening times!

Read: The Best French Patisseries in London

Medieval Sites in London:
St Alfege Church:
Greenwich Church St, London SE10 8NA

London’s Medieval Sites: 15 Secret Ruins, Churches & Buildings

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There you have them, all the most beautiful medieval sites in London, from church ruins to old buildings you would not suspect still exist in town!

You’ll come to find there are lots of non touristy things to do in London, and when it comes to diving back in history, you can’t do more unusual than that!

Until next time!

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Sam is a certified fashion makeup artist, a freelance writer, a blogger and a digital nomad. Since 2019, she roams around the world, from London to Rome and shares her knowledge about makeup, scented candles, travel, blogging and the digital nomad lifestyle.

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