The History Behind Walbrook: London's Lost River

Our campus in the City of London

Our campus is situated in the Finance District in London, a fascinating area which is steeped in history. You’ll know of this area: it’s in the heart of London, right next to the River Thames and includes famous landmarks like the Monument to the Great Fire of London, the Bank of England Museum, Mansion House, London Bridge and from more recent times, the Sky Garden.

However, this area also has a secret, a secret which is even more historic than those mentioned above, and that secret is connected to our name.

Where does the Walbrook name come from?

According to Medieval London, the name Walbrook is derived from the Old English terms wala, meaning “of the Welsh,” and broc, meaning "brook" (a small stream). The earliest record of this river dates back to 1274, when it was referred to as “Walbrookstrate.”

Historically, it played a significant role in not only forming the natural landscape of the city, but also being a crucial water source for the Romans, and later on playing a part in industrialising the City of London.

The Walbrook is one of London's original -and now buried- rivers. Today, this is categorised as one of London's lost rivers, buried beneath streets and buildings like Walbrook Road. You could be walking over the top of it and never know.

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Understanding the course of the Walbrook River

The river Walbrook originated north of what is now the City of London, flowing southwards into the river Thames. The exact course can be visualised using historical maps, like the lost river Walbrook map. These documents are valuable for understanding the river's physical path and its impact on the urban development around Walbrook Road and the broader city area.

Walbrook and Roman London

According to Living London History, the Romans founded Londinium in approximately 50 AD and maintained their presence in the region until around 400 AD. The Walbrook River played a crucial role, as it divided Londinium into eastern and western halves. It was used for drainage of marshy lands, a fresh water source for early inhabitants, transportation and helped to power key public infrastructure like the Roman baths, mills and workshops.

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During the excavation of the area, it was found that the banks of the lost river Walbrook were lined with Roman timber structures. The waterlogged conditions allowed for the artefacts to be preserved to an exceptionally good standard. That’s not all they found.

Significance of the Walbrook River in London Mithraeums

One of the most significant Roman-built discoveries, other than the city walls, can still be visited today. The Temple of Mithras along the river basin was built in the Roman period around 240 AD. It was dedicated to Mithras, a pagan god often depicted killing a divine bull in a cave. It was thought that the worshippers of this temple were an all-male cult, and it became extremely widespread amongst the Roman military.

Today, it’s located at the London Mithraeum Bloomberg Space, a free museum which is on the site of Bloomberg's European HQ. This ancient Roman temple and its artefacts unearthed in Walbrook, London, offer a glimpse into the religious practices of Roman Britain.

The significance of the Walbrook at the London Mithraeum is highlighted by the temple's proximity to the waterway, hinting at the sacred relationship between the site and the river.

After the Romans left Londinium, the temple became buried and was forgotten. Again, Living London History shows that in 1954, during the reconstruction of London after the Second World War, the temple was found among the debris. It was due to be built over, so they moved the remains of the temple to a different site above ground. When Bloomberg bought the land, they moved the remains back to the original site, which can now be seen at the London Mithraeum Bloomberg Space.

Walbrook through the ages

Whilst the Walbrook was vital to the Romans as a fresh source of water, it became unsanitary during the Anglo-Saxon and Norman periods. Due to the significant pollution and frequent flooding, the river was surrounded by open gardens and marshland.

Although it was polluted, Medieval London states that the Walbrook was still important and allowed for crucial trade. Where it connected to the Thames, and therefore the rest of the City of London, it was used for international exports.

According to the London Museum, the Walbrook was also pivotal in Medieval London as it provided power for key infrastructure such as mills, making it essential to the development of the city. Millers, tanners and leatherworkers all set up shop on the banks, using the natural resource as power.

By 1598, the Walbrook began to be covered, the streets and lanes where the Walbrook passed became vaulted, and houses were then built. They think this is due to the unsanitary conditions of the river, and the smell and pollution to the surrounding areas it caused.

Does the Walbrook still flow?

Inquiries into whether the Walbrook still flows capture the curiosity of many. Its underground presence is a reminder of the river’s persistent role in the life of the city, undeterred by urban development.

From medieval London, the river was gradually culverted and built over due to urban growth. By the 15th century, it became an underground sewer. Today, it is part of London's sewer network and flows beneath Walbrook, Bucklersbury, and Cannon Street. Traces of the river may be heard during heavy rainfall, when parts of the sewer system overflow.

Due to being buried underground, River Walbrook is not visible today, but its historical significance is acknowledged through a public art installation by Cristina Iglesias in Bloomberg’s European HQ. This installation, titled Forgotten Streams, represents the lost river.

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Walking the River Walbrook

Although the river is now buried underground, it's still possible to walk the route. A book by Tom Bolton "Lost Rivers: A walker's guide", shows the route from Shoreditch High Street to Cannon Street. It takes you past some interesting sites, such as the Theatre (the original place of the Globe Theatre), which was home to William Shakespeare's company. An area where it's thought an aqueduct carrying Walbrook water flowed into the London Walls.

Past a Church where four time Lord Mayor Dick Whittington founded and was buried, and another aptly named St Stephen Walbrook Church which was originally on the west side of the Walbrook and moved to the east side in the 15th Century (cited from London's Lost Rivers). The original church was destroyed in the Great Fire of London (1666). It was rebuilt in the same location.

There are many more sites to see and history to learn, but for that, you'll have to walk the route! It ends at Walbrook Wharf, which is where the river joins the Thames. At low tide, it is said that you can see the Walbrook flowing.

The Walbrook: part of our journey

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The Walbrook River, though invisible today, is a key part of London's history. Whether you're walking down Walbrook Road or visiting the London Mithraeum, the spirit of this lost river flows through the city, offering insights into a time when nature and civilisation, like Roman and then Medieval Londoners, intertwined deeply. The Walbrook's story is one of transformation and adaptation, a testament to London's ever-evolving landscape.

Now it's part of our story too. If you'd like to see more about how Walbrook relates to us, you can find our story here.

Where is Walbrook Institute London? Our addresses:

Registered Office
7th & 8th Floor
Peninsular House
36 Monument Street
London
EC3R 8LJ
United Kingdom
Student Campus
25 Lovat Lane
London
EC3R 8EB
United Kingdom

Find out more about Walbrook

About us
Get to know Walbrook – who we are, what we offer, and how our career-focused degrees and professional qualifications help you build your future.

Explore Walbrook
Our heritage
See how more than 145 years of educational evolution – from the Institute of Bankers to Walbrook Institute London – informs our mission today.

Our history and heritage
Formerly LIBF
Learn about our name change, what it means for students, and how our legacy in professional finance education continues under the Walbrook name.

Learn about the change