Ten Trinity Square's History | Four Seasons at Tower Bridge

Steps from the River Thames, the gentle hillside where Ten Trinity Square now stands marks a prominent place in London’s history. From Roman times, through the Middle Ages and into present day, the site has long been a centre of trade, commerce and livelihood from which the capital has grown. Now, a display of ancient artefacts on loan from Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) brings the illustrious history to life under the grand domed ceiling of Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge.

The Heart of World Trade in 1922
Set along the River Thames, London has become the centre of world trade by the 19th century. Designed by renowned architect Sir Edwin Cooper and built in Beaux-Arts style, Ten Trinity Square opened in 1922 and housed the Port of London Authority.
The Port of London Authority
Overseeing ships coming from China and East Indies with merchandise such as tea, pottery and silks, the Port of London Authority had full control over the traffic of River Thames. In the peak days, more than 1,200 people each day came to the rotunda to pay port dues for all the boats that were arriving in London.
The Rotunda
During the Blitz in World War II, Ten Trinity Square was damaged by bombing and the domed rotunda was destroyed. The original central rotunda was later topped by a magnificent glass dome, created to emulate that of nearby St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Living History on Display
The display features items that were recovered during the careful redevelopment of the site by Reignwood Group, which tasked archaeologists from MOLA to excavate the historic remains. The artefacts span London’s history from c. 8500 BC up to the 1922 construction of the Port of London Authority Building – the building that Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge calls home.
From Londinium to London
The oldest item on display is a flint adze dating back to c. 8500 BC to 4000 BC. The prehistoric tool was buried on the site during Roman times (when London was known as Londinium) thousands of years after it was actually made.
Fashion of the Time
Bone hairpins dating back to the second to fourth centuries were recovered on the excavation site, and were used by Roman women to create elaborate and fashionable hairstyles.
Into the Middle Ages
A silver penny dating back to the 10th to 11th centuries was the coin of the Saxon King Aethelred II and was minted in London between the years 997 and 1003.
East Meets West
The display also includes historic Chinese porcelain and ceramic items dating back to the 18th century. The Reignwood Cultural Foundation aims to restore and preserve cultural exchange between Eastern and Western cultures.