Archaeology and scheduled monuments

We also have 8 nationally significant sites. The law protects them as scheduled ancient monuments (SAMs). These are:

• The Globe Theatre, Old Theatre Square
• The Rose Theatre, Rose Court 
• The Hope Theatre and remains of 3 bear-baiting arenas, Bear Gardens
• Abbey buildings, Bermondsey
• Roman boat at New Guy's House, Bermondsey
• moated manor house of Edward III, Rotherhithe
• remains of Winchester Palace, Clink Street and waterfront
• pumping engine house for Brunel's Thames Tunnel

The law protects scheduled monuments. Any development that affects a SAM needs formal written consent from the Secretary of State, on the advice of Historic England.

Consent must be obtained before any archaeological or other work can begin on the site. Carrying out unconsented works on a scheduled monument is a criminal offence.

Contact our archaeological officer for further advice on scheduled ancient monuments.

Email: designconservation@southwark.gov.uk or call 020 7525 5403. 

Visiting scheduled ancient monuments

You can visit 6 of the 8 Scheduled Ancient Monuments in Southwark. They have some remains or information. 

The remains of the west and south walls of the Great Hall of Winchester Palace are in Clink Street. 

The southwest tower of Bermondsey Abbey Church is under a glass floor in the cafe at Bermondsey Square.

The original Globe Theatre's site is on the south side of Park Street. Its  area is laid out in cobbles within Playhouse Court. Notice boards are also displayed on the visitor platform.

The Rose Playhouse is on Park Street at the junction of Rose Alley and Park Street. It has frequent open days. You'll get to see the theatre's archaeological remains and an exhibition on its history and rediscovery. The theatre runs seasons of plays throughout the year. Many of Shakespeare’s plays premiered at the Rose. It is currently the only place where you can see his plays performed on an original site. 

The Brunel Museum occupies the engine house. It powered the pumps for the excavation of the first tunnel under the Thames. Isambard Kingdom Brunel started his career there.

The remains of King Edward III's moated Manor House are near the Brunel Museum. They are at Platform Wharf. The stone remains of the small moated medieval house are in the park. An information board there shows a reconstruction of the building. The Manor House is just to the south of Bermondsey Wall East. It's at the junction with Cathay Street, near to King Stairs Gardens.

The remains of the Roman boat are under Guy’s Hospital. The Hope playhouse and bear baiting arenas are still there.