Temple Bar
London's ceremonial gateway restored: where monarchs met the City for over three centuries.
Temple Bar is a Grade I listed Portland stone gateway standing in Paternoster Square near St Paul's Cathedral. Originally built by Christopher Wren in 1672 as the principal ceremonial entrance to the City of London, it marked the boundary between the City and Westminster for over two centuries. Dismantled in 1878 to ease traffic congestion, the gate was meticulously restored and reconstructed in its current location in 2004, preserving 95% of its original 17th-century structure and statuary.
A brief summary to Temple Bar London
- Paternoster Lodge, 2 Paternoster Sq., London, EC4M 7DX, GB
- +447803294432
- Visit website
- Duration: 0.25 to 1 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
Local tips
- Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and capture the best light for photographs, particularly when the sun illuminates the Portland stone and statuary.
- Stand directly beneath the arch and look upward to appreciate the intricate stonework and the original 17th-century craftsmanship, including the royal statues by James Bushnell.
- Explore Paternoster Square's surrounding buildings and open spaces, which host regular events, markets, and exhibitions throughout the year.
- Visit St Paul's Cathedral immediately after, as it is just steps away and offers complementary architectural and historical context to your Temple Bar experience.
- Read the information boards near the gate to learn about its ceremonial role and the monarchs whose statues adorn it.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Information Boards
- Seating Areas
- Food Options
- Restrooms
Getting There
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Underground Train
Take the Circle, District, or Metropolitan line to St Paul's station. Exit and follow signs toward St Paul's Cathedral; Temple Bar is located in Paternoster Square, approximately 2–3 minutes' walk north of the cathedral. Journey time from central London stations ranges from 5–15 minutes depending on your starting point. No additional cost beyond your standard London transport fare.
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Bus
Multiple bus routes serve the area, including routes 4, 8, 15, 23, 25, and 56, which stop near St Paul's Cathedral or Paternoster Square. Journey times vary from 10–25 minutes depending on traffic and your starting location. Standard London bus fare applies; contactless payment accepted.
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Walking
Temple Bar is centrally located and accessible on foot from most central London destinations. From Fleet Street, walk north toward St Paul's Cathedral; Paternoster Square is immediately north of the cathedral. The walk from Covent Garden takes approximately 10 minutes, from the Thames approximately 8 minutes, and from Holborn approximately 12 minutes. Pavements are well-maintained and clearly marked.
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Taxi or Ride-Hailing
Black cabs and ride-hailing services (Uber, Bolt) operate throughout London. Request drop-off at Paternoster Square or St Paul's Cathedral. Journey times from central London range from 10–20 minutes depending on traffic; fares typically range from £8–20 depending on your starting point and time of day.
Temple Bar London location weather suitability
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Any Weather
Discover more about Temple Bar London
A Gateway Steeped in Medieval Origins
Temple Bar's history stretches back to 1293, when it first appeared as little more than a chain strung across the road between Fleet Street and the Strand. By 1351, a wooden gatehouse had been constructed, complete with a prison chamber above it—a practical arrangement that allowed authorities to control access to the City of London and detain offenders at the point of entry. The structure took its name from the Temple area to the south, once owned by the Knights Templar and later becoming the centre of London's legal profession, a connection that remains to this day.Wren's Masterpiece and Royal Commissions
When the Great Fire of London devastated the city in 1666, Temple Bar survived the flames but fell into disrepair. King Charles II commissioned the renowned architect Christopher Wren to rebuild it in 1672, and the result was a magnificent Portland stone arch that would become one of London's most recognisable landmarks. The new design featured ornamental niches on both flanks, filled with statues of four monarchs: Charles I and Charles II on one side, and James I and Queen Anne of Denmark on the other. These sculptures, crafted by James Bushnell, remain largely original and have survived centuries of London's changing fortunes.Ceremonial Splendour and Royal Tradition
Temple Bar became the stage for London's most significant state occasions. Anne Boleyn passed through its archway en route to her 1533 coronation, and in 1588, Queen Elizabeth I led a triumphant procession through the gate to celebrate the defeat of the Spanish Armada. She presented the Lord Mayor with a pearl-encrusted sword—a gesture that established a tradition lasting centuries. Whenever a reigning monarch wished to enter the City formally, they would stop at Temple Bar to receive the ceremonial sword from the Lord Mayor, a custom that persists in modified form today. The gate was also draped in black velvet for the funeral procession of Admiral Horatio Nelson in 1806, cementing its role as the symbolic threshold of the City.Darker Chapters: Traitors and Spectacle
From the 17th and 18th centuries, Temple Bar served a grimmer purpose. The heads of executed traitors were displayed on iron spikes atop the arch as a warning to all who passed beneath. The remains were often boiled in salt or pitch to prevent birds from consuming them. Thomas Armstrong, executed in 1683 for his role in the Rye House Plot to assassinate Charles II, was among the first to suffer this fate. The practice continued until 1772, when a violent storm finally dislodged the last heads—those of Francis Towneley and George Fletcher, Jacobite rebels from 1746. The gate also hosted a pillory where notable figures, including author Daniel Defoe, were publicly shamed for their alleged crimes.Dismantling and Displacement
By the 19th century, Temple Bar had become an obstruction rather than an ornament. As London's population exploded and traffic congestion choked Fleet Street, the gateway was seen as "a bone in the throat of Fleet Street." In 1878, the decision was made to dismantle it entirely to widen the road and make space for the new Royal Courts of Justice. The structure was taken down stone by stone, each piece carefully numbered. A dragon-topped memorial column was erected in 1880 to mark the original location. For a decade, the dismantled gateway lay in a yard off Farringdon Road until Sir Henry Bruce Meux acquired it and had it reconstructed at his Theobalds Park estate in Hertfordshire, where it remained for over a century.Restoration and Return to the City
In 1976, Hugh Wontner, a hotelier and former Lord Mayor, established the Temple Bar Trust with the ambitious goal of returning the gateway to London. The Trust worked tirelessly to secure funding and permissions, eventually acquiring ownership in 1984. The restoration and reconstruction project was completed in 2004 at a cost of £3 million, funded by the Corporation of London, the Temple Bar Trust, and several Worshipful Livery Companies. Today, Temple Bar stands proudly in Paternoster Square, near Wren's masterpiece St Paul's Cathedral, welcoming visitors as it has for centuries. Remarkably, approximately 95% of the original 17th-century stonework and statuary survived the journey, making it one of London's most authentically preserved historic structures.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Temple Bar London
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Historic
- Scenic
- Unique
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Minimalist Designs
- Vintage Styles
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
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For the view chaser and sunset hunter
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For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
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For the eco-conscious traveler
- Protected Area
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For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
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- Photowalk
- Day Trip
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Wheelchair Access
