Visitors may find the definition of The City of London a little confusing – surely the whole of London is the city, you may be wondering. Well, yes, that’s correct, but the name, which is sometimes also simply called The City, refers to a specific geographical boundary within the capital itself. These days it’s best-known for being London’s financial district. But it’s actually the ancient centre of London, dating back to Roman times
The meeting of modernity and history makes The City ideal for exploring and discovering hidden or less touristy places. It’s one of the few parts of London which is at its quietest at weekends, particularly good for leisurely strolling and getting some decent photographs. From Roman ruins to urban gardens and lesser-known galleries and public art – here’s our guide to exploring The City of London.
Which areas make up The City of London?
The City of London is in the east-central part of London and includes Liverpool Street, Blackfriars, Monument, Barbican, Tower HIll, and St Paul’s. Some parts of The City have names that specifically relate to its old defences, such as Moorgate, and Aldgate. It’s an area with 28 conservation areas – which are classified as areas of special architectural or historical interest – you can see the boundary of The City of London (also known as The Square Mile) and navigate some of these places using this interactive map.
Getting to and around The City of London
It’s probably easiest to find what interests you the most and head to the nearest station and explore there first. A weekend is perfect for exploring the different parts of The City, for example, if you want to see ancient Roman ruins – head to Tower Hill and start there. Fancy a bit of concrete and culture with a large, plant-filled conservatory and maybe a concert in the evening – then hop off the tube at Barbican or nearby Moorgate. It’s easy enough to explore the whole thing on foot, by bus or a couple of stops on the underground without having to rush too much.
Take a walk around the London Wall
One of the largest constructions by the Romans in Britain is the London Wall, and taking a stroll around its surviving sections is a great way to discover more about The City of London as well as visiting a major London historic site for free. It was built around AD200 and was once two and half miles long, designed for defence but also as a big old status symbol too. You can start at Tower Hill (Underground or DLR) and follow The London Walk on Google Maps which will also take in other locations in this article including Moorgate.
Wander through St Dunstan in the East Church Garden
Arguably one of The City’s most atmospheric spots, particularly on an Autumn day (but worth a visit whatever the season) – St Dunstan in the East is a small, urban park in the ruins of an ancient church. The somewhat ill-fated church was first built around 1100 and named after a 10th century monk.
It was badly damaged in the Great Fire of London in 1666 and given a new tower by renowned architect Sir Christopher Wren. Sadly, it was mostly destroyed by a bomb during World War II in 1941. But, its bombed-out ruins are now a beautiful, urban park where a few arches remain and leaves and vines wind through them. Visit on a bright day to see it at its sun-dappled best.
Explore The Barbican Centre and Estate
The Barbican is both iconic and divisive. Some love the brutalist architecture that makes it one of The City’s most unique landmarks. And the others, well they’re wrong. Not that we’re here to convince you either way, if you’re a fan of brutalism, plants and culture – then you’ve come to the right place.
You could easily spend the day here – but if you’re short on time and keen to explore the rest of the area, a couple of hours will do just fine. The closest tube stations are Barbican or Moorgate. The Barbican is a large, sprawling housing estate with approximately 4000 residents, filled with high walks, urban gardens and a large waterside terrace. If you’re interested in learning more about the architecture, you can join a 90-minute tour (£15.00), or just explore at your leisure and maybe catch a film, exhibition or even a concert later on. It’s not exactly a hidden gem, but it is full of interesting corners to explore.
Take a tour of a Roman bathhouse
By now you’re probably getting the Roman vibe, so why not (ahem) immerse yourself further with a trip to an old bathhouse? You can’t actually take a dip, but it is pretty amazing to be able to visit subterranean baths hidden deep beneath the grey pavement slabs and office buildings of The Square Mile! The Billingsgate Roman Bathhouse was discovered in the 1840s and you can take a brief tour for a window into life in Roman London which takes place on Saturdays between April and November and costs £12.00.
Stop for food and drink at at Leadenhall Market
There’s plenty of places to stop for refreshments in The City, but few of them are as picturesque as Leadenhall Market. The beautiful Victorian-arched covered market is home to pubs, bars, small restaurants, shops and cafés – everything from a quick coffee or a pint to a more leisurely lunch. If you’re after a quick bite to eat, check out Bibimbap ToGo for some tasty Korean food, or Japanese street food at Rainbo. But, to unwind properly, head to La Viña for a glass of Rioja and some tapas.
See the memorial to heroic self sacrifice at Postman’s Park
Although it may be light on large green spaces, The City is filled with interesting urban gardens, including Postman’s Park, on King Edward Street, close to St Paul’s. Made famous by featuring in the film Closer (based on Patrick Marber’s play), the small park has a unique and beautiful feature – a memorial to heroic self sacrifice which was unveiled in 1900. The memorial is made up of 54 ceramic plaques bearing the names of brave, ordinary people who died in an attempt to save others.
Check out The Harold Samuel Collection at Mansion House
Wandering around The City and you’ll spot plenty of public art and strange statues, including the powerful sculpture Gilt of Cain by artist Michael Visocchi and poetry by Lemn Sissay to commemorate the end of the transatlantic slave trade in 1807. But if you want to explore one of London’s less busy galleries, check out Mansion House. It’s actually the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London, but the reason to visit this opulent building is its collection of paintings by 17th Century Dutch and Flemish painters.
City of London views from The Garden at 120
It would be remiss not to recommend checking out some of the views in the area. So take a trip up to the 15th floor of 120 Fenchurch Street for an urban rooftop landscaped garden with panoramic views of The City of London. It’s the largest public rooftop in The City, it’s free to visit and you don’t need to book, just turn up and look over at the streets you’ve recently discovered from on high.
