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.

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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

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