On Byward Street beside the Tower of London, All Hallows by the Tower is an Anglican church founded in AD 675 and often considered the oldest in the City of London. Its crypt museum brings together Roman, Anglo-Saxon and medieval remains, including a piece of Roman pavement. Inside, look for the seventh-century Saxon arch built partly with reused Roman tiles, stained glass and memorials. The church is also linked to William Penn and Samuel Pepys, who watched the Great Fire of London from its tower.
A church with early London roots
A church has stood on this site since AD 675. All Hallows by the Tower is often called the oldest church in the City of London, though claims to the title are not settled. The church is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 and has served the people of London across many centuries.
The building combines several periods of history. Its exterior dates largely from a rebuilding in 1658, after an explosion nearby. The church was badly damaged during the Second World War and reconstructed in 1955. Earlier fabric survives too, including an arch thought to be Anglo-Saxon.
The arch and the crypt collection
Look for the seventh-century arch inside the church. Its construction incorporates reused Roman tiles, connecting the building to earlier structures in the area. The crypt museum takes that story further with Roman, Anglo-Saxon and medieval objects, including part of a Roman pavement.
The collection also includes a model of Roman London made in the 1930s and an altar associated with the Knights Templar. Other items and remains in the crypt include medieval relics and Saxon stonework. Take time to look closely: the museum brings together objects from different eras within the church’s long history.
People and events linked to the church
William Penn, who founded Pennsylvania, was baptised at All Hallows in 1644. Samuel Pepys is associated with the church’s tower: during the Great Fire of London in 1666, he climbed it to watch the fire spread through the city.
The church’s location near Tower Hill also links it to executions there. Bodies of people executed on the hill were brought to the church for temporary burial. In more recent history, All Hallows was damaged during wartime bombing and later rebuilt. Memorials inside honour people who died in war.
FAQ
Is entry to All Hallows by the Tower free?
Yes. Entry is free, and donations are appreciated.
What can you see in the crypt museum?
The collection includes Roman, Anglo-Saxon and medieval remains, a section of Roman pavement, a model of Roman London and an altar associated with the Knights Templar.
How old is All Hallows by the Tower?
A church has stood on the site since AD 675. It is often described as the oldest church in the City of London, though the claim is disputed.
Is advance booking recommended?
Yes. Advance booking is recommended.
