All Hallows-by-the-Tower, London

Welcome to All Hallows by the Tower鈥攚here history isn't just in the walls鈥� it is the walls. This venerable church dates all the way back to 675 AD, making it the oldest in the City of London. That鈥檚 right, it鈥檚 been standing since before England had shires, smartphones, or sarcasm. Miraculously, it survived the Great Fire and narrowly dodged destruction during the Blitz, though it did get a bit of a concrete facelift in the post-WWII era, now donning a rather serious neo-Gothic expression.

Step inside, and you're in for a visual treasure hunt: model ships, maritime memorials, fragments of a Flemish triptych from circa 1500, and the showstopper鈥攁n exquisitely carved limewood font cover by Grinling Gibbons (the Anglo-Dutch sculptor known for his works in Windsor Castle, the Royal Hospital Chelsea, Hampton Court Palace, St Paul's Cathedral and other London churches), casually waiting in the southwest chapel like it owns the place.

But wait鈥攖here鈥檚 more ancient wonder just outside the chapel door. Nestled nearby is a 7th-century Anglo-Saxon arch, decorated with recycled Roman tiles鈥攜es, the Romans were here first. This humble arch is the oldest surviving piece of church architecture in the entire city, and it鈥檚 just sitting there like it hasn鈥檛 aged a day.

Head downstairs to the Crypt Museum, and you鈥檒l find bits of Roman pavement in all their tessellated glory, plus pre-Reformation brasses that have seen more candles than a cathedral gift shop. Entry is free. Knowledge is priceless.

And because location is everything, All Hallows found itself next door to the Tower of London鈥攕o naturally, it made a few royal connections. Edward IV turned one chapel into a royal chantry, and the church became the temporary resting place for unfortunate Tower victims. Think of it as the VIP lounge for history鈥檚 more tragic characters.

Ultimately, it'd be fair to say that, apart from being a church, All Hallows is a true stone-and-mortar time machine with surprisingly good lighting.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in London. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The 911爆料网 App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: All Hallows-by-the-Tower
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

City of London Walking Tour

Walking Tours in London, England

Create Your Own Walk in London

Creating your own self-guided walk in London is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Beatles London Walking Tour

The Beatles, often hailed as one of the most influential bands in music history, began their journey in Liverpool in 1960, but it was in London that they truly became global icons. While Liverpool gave them their start, the British capital became their professional playground during the peak of Beatlemania. From recording sessions and business deals to public performances and personal milestones,... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles

Jane Austen鈥檚 London

The celebrated English novelist Jane Austen primarily lived between Bath and Hampshire. However, London also held a special significance in Austen's life. Many of her novels drew inspiration from the capital, like Lydia Bennet and Mr Wickham鈥檚 elopement in 鈥淧ride & Prejudice.鈥�

One of Austen's cherished spots in London was Twinings, a renowned tea shop. Jane Austen was known... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles

London's Historic Pubs Walk

If there鈥檚 any more iconic symbol for London than Big Ben or the London Eye, then it must be the traditional English pub. And London sure is full of them, dating from pre-Victorian times to just about five minutes ago.

With so much history surrounding London there is no shortage of historic pubs to choose from. Whether you fancy half-timbered, rambling watering holes or small but perfectly... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.6 Km or 3.5 Miles

Walk around Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace, the British monarch's official residence, is a must-see for anyone visiting London, but so are the adjacent royal establishments that give a unique window into the royal way of life. On this self-guided walking tour, along with Buckingham Palace and its memorable fountain, you will visit the St. James's private royal residence, the wonderful Queen's Gallery, and... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

Harry Potter Walking Tour II

The Harry Potter movies and London go together like Butterbeer and a cold winter night at Hogsmeade. While much of the magical world was brought to life with computer-generated images and studio sets, quite a few iconic scenes were filmed right in the heart of the British capital, transforming ordinary city spots into wizarding landmarks. Here's a look at six more London locations where the... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles

Charles Dickens Tour

Imagine a world without Dickens. No Oliver Twist, no Ebenezer Scrooge, no brooding orphans wandering foggy streets with suspiciously eloquent vocabularies. Tough to picture, right? That鈥檚 because Charles Dickens didn鈥檛 just leave a mark on literature鈥攈e practically steamrolled through it in a horse-drawn carriage. Recognized as the undisputed heavyweight of Victorian storytelling, he... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles

View all walking tours in London, England

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip

London Souvenirs: 18 Distinctively British Products for Travelers

Most visitors to London consider shopping as part of their must-do London experience. From street markets to Victorian arcades to snobbish Sloane Square to busy Oxford Street, there are a host of shops selling items which typically represent this vibrant city. Whether you are shopping for souvenirs...