Leisure in Roman London Tour

Leisure in Roman London is a walking tour on Saturday 12 December, led by archaeologist Dr Andrew Lane. It takes in two of the best-preserved Roman sites in the city, starting at the Roman Amphitheatre in Guildhall Yard (EC2V 5AE) and finishing at the Billingsgate Roman House and Baths at 101 Lower Thames Street (EC3R 6DL).

The first stop is the amphitheatre, where Lane talks through how the site was found, the role the games played in Roman society, and the truth behind the myths and legends that have built up around the gladiators. From there, you walk south for about half an hour to Billingsgate, a hidden gem tucked into the basement of a modern office block. It focuses on a different side of Roman leisure: bathing.

Between the two, you get a look at two very different ways the Romans spent their free time — the public spectacle of the arena and the more private, social world of the baths. The walk itself is a good chunk of the experience, taking you from the Guildhall area down towards the river.

There are two tours on the day, one at 11am and another at 2:30pm, and each lasts about two hours. It's designed for adults, though children can come along, with a suggested minimum age of eight. Tickets are £15.