Town life: work, rest and play

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Cleaning the mud brick walls of a house. The zigzag lines are ‘keys'to help plaster stick.

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Eye-catching display of the amphitheatre remains, now open to the public

What were the main buildings like?

The town hall, government offices and courtrooms were in the basilica. Next door was the forum, the market place where merchants had their offices and shops. Londinium's forum and basilica took 30 years to build. A main road led from here to the port and the bridge across the Thames.

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What about people's houses?

Ordinary people lived in small houses with a shop in front and workshops behind. Wealthier people's homes had wall paintings and mosaic floors. Soldiers lived in the fort, outside the main part of town.

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What did they do for fun?

Everyone went to the public baths at Upper Thames Street, or Cheapside. They went to meet friends and do business as well as keeping clean.

You can still see part of Londinium's amphitheatre under the Guildhall art gallery. Up to 6 000 people could watch wild animal shows, public executions or gladiator displays.

Look inside the merchant's house
Panorama of the living room
Panorama of the merchant's salesroom
Panorama of the stockroom room
Download fly-through of all the merchant's rooms