It may appear to be a large piece of leftover masonry but this mysterious stone remains a historic piece of London's history.
Known as the London Stone, the ancient Grade II-listed relic is set to go on show to the public after lying behind a glass case covered by a metal grill.
The London Stone had only ever been tucked away at 111 Cannon Street, where the building was once used as a sports shop and later a stationery outlet.
There are many stories surrounding the origins of the curious lump of rock, with some legends saying it was used as an altar by druids.
Other stories claim the stone was brought back from Troy by Brutus or that it was the stone that was the resting place of King Arthur sword's Excalibur.
Mysterious ancient stone that has lain at the heart of the City of London for centuries to go on show at last
The London Stone has been lain in a glass box on Cannon Street for years
Ancient Grade II-listed relic is set to go on show at the Museum of London
Legend has it that the large stone was brought back from Troy by Brutus
By Tom Wyke for MailOnline
12 March 2016
Daily Mail
It may appear to be a large piece of leftover masonry but this mysterious stone remains a historic piece of London's history.
Known as the London Stone, the ancient Grade II-listed relic is set to go on show to the public after lying behind a glass case covered by a metal grill.
The London Stone had only ever been tucked away at 111 Cannon Street, where the building was once used as a sports shop and later a stationery outlet.
Known as the London Stone, the ancient Grade II-listed relic is set to go on show to the public after lying behind a glass case covered by a metal grill
The London Stone had only ever been tucked away at 111 Cannon Street, where the building was once used as a sports shop and later a stationery outlet
There are many stories surrounding the origins of the curious lump of rock, with some legends saying it was used as an altar by druids.
Other stories claim the stone was brought back from Troy by Brutus or that it was the stone that was the resting place of King Arthur sword's Excalibur.
The large historic feature even appears in Shakespeare's Henry VI, part 2: 'And here, sitting upon London-stone.'
The stone is now set to go on show in the Museum of London for 20 months, starting from the end of spring, according to The Guardian.
While the London Stone has been moved several times, it always seems to have been in the same stretch of Cannon Street opposite St Swithin's church.
Originally it was in the middle of the street, but it was moved in 1742 to the north side by the church, where it has been ever since.
The stone is now set to go on show in the Museum of London for 20 months, starting from the end of spring
There are many stories surrounding the origins of the curious lump of rock, with some legends saying it was used as an altar by druids. (Above) The stone surrounded by cricket equipment when 111 Cannon Street was a sports shop
By 1828 it was embedded in the south wall within a protective stone niche, allowing it to remain viewable for passers-by.
In 1941, St Swithin's was gutted in the Blitz. In 1962, it was demolished and replaced by the current office block.
The stone was placed in the same position it had previously been, in the centre of the façade, in an approximation of the previous stone niche.
Today, the ground floor of 111 Cannon Street is occupied by a WHSmith shop
Known as the London Stone, the ancient Grade II-listed relic is set to go on show to the public after lying behind a glass case covered by a metal grill.
The London Stone had only ever been tucked away at 111 Cannon Street, where the building was once used as a sports shop and later a stationery outlet.
There are many stories surrounding the origins of the curious lump of rock, with some legends saying it was used as an altar by druids.
Other stories claim the stone was brought back from Troy by Brutus or that it was the stone that was the resting place of King Arthur sword's Excalibur.
Mysterious ancient stone that has lain at the heart of the City of London for centuries to go on show at last
The London Stone has been lain in a glass box on Cannon Street for years
Ancient Grade II-listed relic is set to go on show at the Museum of London
Legend has it that the large stone was brought back from Troy by Brutus
By Tom Wyke for MailOnline
12 March 2016
Daily Mail
It may appear to be a large piece of leftover masonry but this mysterious stone remains a historic piece of London's history.
Known as the London Stone, the ancient Grade II-listed relic is set to go on show to the public after lying behind a glass case covered by a metal grill.
The London Stone had only ever been tucked away at 111 Cannon Street, where the building was once used as a sports shop and later a stationery outlet.
Known as the London Stone, the ancient Grade II-listed relic is set to go on show to the public after lying behind a glass case covered by a metal grill
The London Stone had only ever been tucked away at 111 Cannon Street, where the building was once used as a sports shop and later a stationery outlet
There are many stories surrounding the origins of the curious lump of rock, with some legends saying it was used as an altar by druids.
Other stories claim the stone was brought back from Troy by Brutus or that it was the stone that was the resting place of King Arthur sword's Excalibur.
The large historic feature even appears in Shakespeare's Henry VI, part 2: 'And here, sitting upon London-stone.'
The stone is now set to go on show in the Museum of London for 20 months, starting from the end of spring, according to The Guardian.
While the London Stone has been moved several times, it always seems to have been in the same stretch of Cannon Street opposite St Swithin's church.
Originally it was in the middle of the street, but it was moved in 1742 to the north side by the church, where it has been ever since.
The stone is now set to go on show in the Museum of London for 20 months, starting from the end of spring
There are many stories surrounding the origins of the curious lump of rock, with some legends saying it was used as an altar by druids. (Above) The stone surrounded by cricket equipment when 111 Cannon Street was a sports shop
By 1828 it was embedded in the south wall within a protective stone niche, allowing it to remain viewable for passers-by.
In 1941, St Swithin's was gutted in the Blitz. In 1962, it was demolished and replaced by the current office block.
The stone was placed in the same position it had previously been, in the centre of the façade, in an approximation of the previous stone niche.
Today, the ground floor of 111 Cannon Street is occupied by a WHSmith shop
Last edited:
