London - The City and The Tower
The nucleus of London was on the north bank of the Thames. The Romans founded their first settlement here and erected fortified walls which ran from the Tower northwards via London Wall street, Aldersgate and Ludgate down to the Thames and back to the Tower. Today the City is the commercial center of London with the headquarters of legal and financial institutions.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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Related Attractions
BT Museum (closed to public)
The BT Museum offers hands-on exhibits tracing the 200-year history of telecommunications from telegraphy to optical fiber to the latest video phones.
Britain at War Museum
Visitors can experience London during the Second World War "Blitz" including a London Underground air raid shelter. Enter a BBC Radio Studio to hear messages from Churchill, Chamberlain, Roosevelt and Hitler. Other exhibits include rare documents, ration books and gas masks.
All values are in local currency
Britain at War Experience
64 Tooley Street
London Bridge
London SE1 2TF
England
64 Tooley Street
London Bridge
London SE1 2TF
England
Hours
April 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
November 1 to March 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 |
Always closed on:
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
| Family | 26.00 |
| Adult | 10.45 |
| Students | 5.95 |
| Senior over 60 | 5.95 |
| Child 15 & under | 4.95 |
| Child 4 & under | FREE |
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities
Gift shop
City Business Library
The City Business Library is one of the leading business information libraries in the UK.
It houses a large collection of journals and newspapers.
It houses a large collection of journals and newspapers.
Doggett's Coat & Badge Race
Doggett's Coat and Badge Race upstream from London Bridge to Chelsea Bridge takes place in July. The custom was begun in the 18th century by the Irish comedian Thomas Doggett when he could not find anyone to take him home. Finally he came upon a young man who rowed him upstream against the tide.
Dr Samuel Johnson's House
Built in 1700, this is the house of the writer and critic Dr Samuel Johnson. Exhibits include a first edition dictionary, paintings, engravings, furniture and books.
Hours
May 1 to September 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | Closed |
| Close | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 |
October 1 to April 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | Closed |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Spring Bank Holiday - Britain (last Monday, May )
Summer Bank Holiday - Britain outside Scotland (last Monday, August )
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Spring Bank Holiday - Britain (last Monday, May )
Summer Bank Holiday - Britain outside Scotland (last Monday, August )
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Disabled
No facilities for persons with disabilities.
Guides
Guided tour included with admission.
Facilities
Gift shop
Leadenhall Market
Leadenhall Market offers meat, poultry, fish and cheese.
This market area provides a fascinating look at London's Victorian architecture. The covered market was built in 1881.
This market area provides a fascinating look at London's Victorian architecture. The covered market was built in 1881.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | Closed | Closed |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Lombard Street
Lombard Street (named after the moneylenders from Lombardy who had their houses here in the 13th century) has been London's banking and financial center since medieval times. The street is of interest not so much for its 19th and 20th century buildings, as for the bank signs hanging above the pavement - continuing a tradition dating from the Middle Ages, when illiteracy was rife and the bankers' customers were able to identify them only by their heraldic emblems.
Mansion House
The Mansion House, the official residence of the Lord Mayor, was built by George Dance the Elder between 1739 and 1753 but has undergone a number of later alterations. The imposing Corinthian colonnade serves a ceremonial as well as a decorative function, for it is here that the Lord Mayor appears on the occasion of royal and other official processions. The principal reception room is the Egyptian Hall. Visitors are also shown the Conference Room, with a fine stucco ceiling; the Saloon, with beautiful tapestries and a Waterford glass chandelier; the Drawing Rooms; and the tiny Court of Justice, with cells beneath.
Mansion House
Walbrook
London EC4N 8BH
England
Walbrook
London EC4N 8BH
England
Hours
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Mansion House is open by appointment only for visits by groups (minimum 15, maximum 40). Applications should be made in writing to the Principal Assistant, Mansion House,
London EC4N 8BH.
Old Operating Theater
Visitors can see a 19th C surgical operating theater.
The theatre is found in the roof space of an English Baroque Church. Students from the neighboring hospital would come in to watch the surgeries.
All values are in local currency
The theatre is found in the roof space of an English Baroque Church. Students from the neighboring hospital would come in to watch the surgeries.
Hours
January 6 to December 14
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 | 10:30 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always opened on:
Spring Bank Holiday - Britain (last Monday, May )
Summer Bank Holiday - Britain outside Scotland (last Monday, August )
Summer Bank Holiday - Britain outside Scotland (last Monday, August )
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
New Year's Eve (December 31)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
New Year's Eve (December 31)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
| Family | 13.25 |
| Adult | 5.45 |
| Concession or reduced rate | 4.45 |
| Child 16 & under | 3.00 |
Petticoat Lane Market
Petticoat Lane is London's most famous market, busy and noisy and full of interesting characters. In this market, it is possible to buy almost anything and at a reasonable price.
St Bride Printing Library
The St Bride Printing Library is concerned with the history and technique of printing.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | Closed | Closed |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
St Giles's Church Cripplegate
St. Giles's Church Cripplegate is the burial place of John Milton and John Foxe. The church is overlooked by the Barbican Centre.
St Giles's Church Cripplegate
London Wall
London EC2Y 8DA
England
London Wall
London EC2Y 8DA
England
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Closed |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Guides
Guided tour included with admission.
St Magnus the Martyr
The fabulous church of St Magnus is described as one of Wren's finest pieces of architecture. It holds a beautifully decorated interior.
The church was also home to Miles Cloverdale, publisher of the first English translation of the Bible.
The church was also home to Miles Cloverdale, publisher of the first English translation of the Bible.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Closed | 10:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 13:00 |
St Mary-le-Bow Church
The City church of St Mary-le-Bow, with its famous bells, occupies a special place in the affections of Londoners. To be a genuine Cockney, it is said, you must have been born within the sound of Bow Bells. The church, originally a Norman foundation and one of London's oldest stone churches, was rebuilt by Wren between 1670 and 1683. It suffered heavy damage during World War II and was re-dedicated after extensive restoration in 1964. Its most notable feature is the 73m/221ft high steeple containing the bells which is topped by a weathervane nearly 3m/9ft high. Bricks dating from the Roman occupation of Britain may be seen in the 11th century crypt.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | Closed | Closed |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:30 | 16:00 |
Always closed on:
Spring Bank Holiday - Britain (last Monday, May )
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
Summer Bank Holiday - Britain outside Scotland (last Monday, August )
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Easter Monday - Christian (Apr 09)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
Summer Bank Holiday - Britain outside Scotland (last Monday, August )
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Easter Monday - Christian (Apr 09)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Telecom Tower
The Telecom Tower, built in 1964, and still popularly known by its original name - the Post Office Tower - rises to a height of 189m/620ft above the surrounding streets. Once Britain's tallest building, it has since been overtaken by the NatWest Tower. It houses both a television transmitter and receiver and a radio-telephone relay and is crowned by an aerial mast. The tower is not open to the public.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Originally founded in the 12th century, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was the starting point for the Crusaders en route to Jerusalem. This particular church was built in 1450, during the reign of Henry VI.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | Closed | Closed |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
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