Salters’ Garden | The City Sunken Garden Packed With History

Alongside London Wall in the City of London there’s a wonderful sunken garden that’s packed full of history; Salters’ Garden

Salters' Garden Look Up London

But first…

Who are the Salters’?

The Salters’ are one of the City of London’s Livery Companies; guilds formed in Medieval times to regulate their trades.

Although they were probably going for centuries before, the Salters’ received their first license in 1394 from King Richard II.

Within the companies of the City, the Salters’ were one of the most important. They ranked 9th when the Order of Precedence was established in 1516. The Salters’ dealt – you guessed it – in salt. Salt was a hugely important commodity, not only for seasoning and preserving food, but also used in medical treatments.

Gates Salters' Garden Look Up London

At the north east end of the garden are some 19th century gates, part of Salters’ previous hall on St Swithin’s Lane, near Cannon Street

You can read more about the Salters’ Company here.

Salters' Garden Look Up London

The Salters’ Garden is connected to their hall (the white building on the left of the image above), so it’s worth pausing to consider it before heading into the garden.

Salters’ Hall

The current hall – built 1976 by Basil Spence – stands out amongst other livery halls with its brutalist style of architecture. Their previous hall on St Swithin’s Lane (near Cannon Street) was destroyed by bomb damage in the Second World War.

Salters' Hall - Salters' Garden Look Up London

They are right beside the Barbican Estate – probably the most famous Brutalist building in London and face onto Fore Street.

Fore Street Plaque - Salters' Garden Look Up London

It was on Fore Street that at 12.15am on 25 August 1940 the first bomb of WWII fell on the City of London.

Salters' Garden Look Up London

The Salters’ Garden

The original garden opened in 1981 but the one you can see today was designed by David Hicks and opened in 1995, to mark the 600th anniversary of the Company’s first license.

Salters' Garden Look Up London

When I visited it wasn’t as colourful, but apparently in Summer it’s full of roses – I assume a nod to a key moment in history we’ll see shortly.

One particular reason to visit the garden, is its impressive section of London’s Roman Wall.

Salters' Garden Look Up London

Originally built in the late 2nd Century, encircling the City, today most of the authentic Roman structure is below current day street level – hence the sunken garden.

But it’s worth looking a bit closer at the later additions too.

A unique feature of the wall in the Salters’ Garden are the red brick crenellations.

Salters' Garden Look Up London

These were added to the City wall during the 15th century, specifically under King Edward IV (1442-1471) during the War of the Roses!

Although the majority of battles during the War of the Roses were fought outside the City, the City was a stronghold and whoever held it had a huge advantage. The most notable London battle was held at Barnet in 1471.

Roman Wall Salters' Garden Look Up London

A nearby information plaque from the City of London gives passersby an illustrative breakdown

Today the garden is hired for private events but otherwise is open to the public daily.

Related Post Sculpture (4)

Get the latest London secrets to your email
See the city from a new angle, discovering little things you miss everyday and get the latest news about upcoming tours.
Once a week. No spam, just inspiration.
Your details will never be shared with any 3rd parties
Related Post Sculpture (5)

More London Inspiration

  • The Sneaky Symbol on Bank Station (Cannon Street Entrance)

    While admiring the new Bank Station entrance on Cannon Street, I couldn’t help but spot a sneaky symbol that’s right underneath the London Underground roundels. It’s the coat of arms of the Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors, one of the City of London’s livery companies.......

  • Brabant Court | Look Up London

    History of Brabant Court

    If you’ve ever visited the Sky Garden, you probably queued alongside Philpot Lane. Just off this street is a tempting little dead end called Brabant Court and if you walk through you’ll find a surprising 18th Century building! History of Brabant Court Brabant Court can......

  • Young V&A, Bethnal Green | Look Up London

    History of the Young V&A, Bethnal Green

    The Young V&A (formerly the Museum of Childhood) in Bethnal Green isn’t just a fabulous museum, its building also has a fascinating history to tell. Travelling back 350 years or so, Bethnal Green was a popular suburb for London’s upper classes. There were some large......

  • The FANY Memorial on St Paul's, Knightsbridge

    The FANY Memorial on St Paul’s, Knightsbridge

    On the wall of St Paul’s Knightsbridge, there’s a surprising war memorial where all the names are women. It remembers the members of the Women’s Transport Service (later known as FANY). History of FANY The First Aid Nursing Yeomanry was founded back in 1907. It......

  • Oriental Club Staircase | Look Up London

    Inside Stratford House

    Set back from busy Oxford Street is Stratford Place and at the very end you can find Stratford House, the beautiful building that’s now home to the Oriental Club. The club has only been here since 1962 but the history of the building (and the......

  • Mandela Way Tank "Stompie" | Look Up London

    Mandela Way: Stompie the Tank to the “Skip House”

    On my Bermondsey walk, as we approach Mandela Way along the very pretty Pages Walk, I would often explain to guests that were about to see one of the weirdest things I’ve ever stumbled across in London. Prior to January 2022 you would’ve met Stompie,......

No Comments

Post a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

BOOK NOW