Billingsgate Roman Bath House
The Roman house at Billingsgate is the modern name for a Roman house in Londinium (Roman London). The remains of the Billingsgate Roman bath house date from the 2nd - 3rd century AD and were first discovered in 1848 during construction of the London Coal Exchange. They remained preserved in the buildings basement, until further redevelopment at the site in the late 1960’s gave archaeologists the opportunity to further explore the ruin.
Pottery has shown that the house was erected in the late 2nd century, comprising of a north wing and east wing, with a hypocaust system, underfloor heating, around a central courtyard, at this time, the building was situated on the waterfront of the River Thames.
By the 3rd century, a bath house was added in the courtyard that contained a frigidarium, cold room, tepidarium, warm room, and a caldarium.
The whole complex was in use till the beginning of the 5th century. Several hundred coins of the late 4th century were found at the excavations. This is of special importance as there is little known about the end of the Roman rule in Britain, and this house attests a large-scale building in use until the beginning of the 5th century. However, the house was most likely already in ruins by the year 500. An Anglo-Saxon brooch was found within fallen material from the roof.
The site was to become the first designated protected heritage site in London, forming part of the first Ancient Monuments Act of 1882.
Coordinates: 51°30'33.41"N 0°04'58.95"W
