Things to do in the City London

 

Find out about the City, which is the oldest part of London and has both old and new landmarks.

The Square Mile is another name for the City.

The City is where the Tower Bridge and St. Paul's Cathedral are.

Leadenhall Market, One New Change, and The Royal Exchange are all places to shop in the City.

There are many restaurants to choose from, including some with Michelin stars and Duck & Waffle, which is the highest restaurant in London.

Liverpool Street, London Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Fenchurch Street, Cannon Street, and Moorgate are some of the most important stations in the City.

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Who lives in the City?

The Romans built the City, which is now home to some of Britain's most popular tourist spots. Tower Bridge and St. Paul's Cathedral are two of the most famous landmarks in the City.

The City is based on the Roman city of Londinium, which was built around the year 50 AD. Since the Middle Ages, the borders of London City have stayed almost the same. It's often called the Square Mile because it's almost exactly one square mile (2.6 sq km) in size.

The Temple and Chancery Lane stations are to the west of the City, while Liverpool Street and Barbican stations are to the north, Tower Hill is to the east, and the river Thames is to the south. The City is in the middle of London. The West End, London Bridge, the South Bank, Bankside, Shoreditch, and Brick Lane are all just a short walk away.

Attractions in the City

The City has buildings that have been around for hundreds of years, as well as famous landmarks, unusual museums, and hidden gems. There are also many places where you can be alone.

Top places to see in a city

On a clear day, you can see the Gherkin and the Walkie-Talkie, among other skyscrapers in the City of London.

Find modern skyscrapers and buildings with a lot of history in the City. The picture comes from Shutterstock.

From the crypt, you can go up to Sir Christopher Wren's masterpiece, the Golden Gallery at St. Paul's Cathedral.

The Monument is a monument to the Great Fire of London in 1666. It has 311 steps that you can climb to reach the top.

The Bank of England, the Old Bailey, and the Guildhall are all great examples of architecture from the 17th to the 20th centuries.

Find out about the Barbican Complex, which is one of the best examples of concrete Brutalist architecture from the 1960s. It is home to the arts-focused Barbican Centre.

You can walk on the glass walkway at Tower Bridge and look at an exhibition inside the landmark to learn more about its history.

During the holiday season, you can go to the ice rink and skate in the shadow of the famous Tower of London.

You can see modern skyscrapers, some of which have funny nicknames like "The Walkie-Talkie" building at 20 Fenchurch Street, "The Cheesegrater" building at 122 Leadenhall Street, and Sir Norman Foster's 30 St Mary Axe, which most people call "The Gherkin."

Learn about the Tower of London's history as a zoo, a prison, and a palace. This old building is just outside the Square Mile, but it has a long and interesting past.

Crossing the Millennium Bridge, which is close to St. Paul's, gives you beautiful views of the City.

Insta-worthy hidden gems

Visit buildings in the City that are usually closed to the public on special open days like Open House London weekend. Some of the choices in the past have been fancy livery halls, Mansion House, and The Lloyd's Building.

The Watts Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice in Postman's Park has plaques that tell the stories of people who gave their lives to save others.

Explore the many City churches in the area, some of which were built or changed by Wren. St. Alban on Wood Street, which only has a tower left that acts as a traffic island, and the old Temple Church are two of the more unusual ones.

See the three skulls above the entrance to St. Olave's Church on the corner of Hart Street and Seething Lane. This church is one of the few that survived the Great Fire of London.

Bevis Marks Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in the United Kingdom. It has a lot of beautiful decorations.

Take a picture for Instagram in Paternoster Square, which is home to the renovated Temple Bar and the cute Shepherd and Sheep statue.

Oh, how peaceful! City gardens

The Sky Garden in London has trees and glass windows that look out over the City.

From London's Sky Garden, you can see a lot of the city. The picture comes from Shutterstock.

From the Sky Garden or the rooftop garden at 120, you can see amazing views for free.

In the Instagram-famous Barbican Conservatory, you can be amazed by the thousands of palms, ferns, and other tropical plants.

In the ruins of St. Dunstan in the East, which was damaged in the Second World War but now has a garden that Instagrammers love, you can relax.

At the Barber Surgeons Garden, you can learn about plants that are used in medicine.

Read a book in the Moor Lane Community Garden, which was built to look like the London Wall and the Barbican, two of London's most famous buildings.

City life with a touch of class

At the Bank of England Museum, you can hold a gold bar and learn about the history of the pound.

At the Guildhall Art Gallery, you can look at 250 works of art and special shows that change all the time.

At Guildhall Library, you can look at manuscripts and written works from the 15th century to the present day.

Step inside Dr. Johnson's House, a Georgian townhouse that writer Samuel Johnson once called home. See his works on display and restored rooms from the time.

Weird museums in the city

At the City of London Police Museum, you can learn about the history of keeping order in the Square Mile, from Jack the Ripper to cybercrime.

Take a tour of Billingsgate Roman House and Baths to find out how the Romans used to relax and hang out (Saturdays from April to September only).

Study at the Mithraeum in London BLOOMBERG Space, a Roman temple to the god Mithras, which was home to a strange cult.

Under the Guildhall Art Gallery, you can find the remains of London's huge Roman amphitheater.

Think you know a bit about stamps? At the Museum of Philatelic History, you can learn about the history of mail, look at artifacts, and find out important information about stamps.

Walk down the old streets

Follow the City Visitor Trail to see the most important sights at your own pace. You can get tips on the go by downloading the app.

Join a walking tour of London City. Many of them show you important sights and interesting history, from the well-known to the unusual.

The helpful staff at the City of London Information Centre speaks more than 10 languages and can give you themed walking trail guides, brochures, and maps of the city.

Shopping hotspots

People walking by the shops in Leadenhall Market in the City of London.

Visit the old Leadenhall Market and look at the stalls. The picture comes from Shutterstock.

At the historic Leadenhall Market, you can browse the shops and stalls for food, clothes, and other things. This beautiful Victorian covered market was used as Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter movies.

Go to One New Change to find brands like Next and Hackett, as well as accessories at its weekly Friday Up Market.

At the stylish Royal Exchange, you can buy jewelry and other high-end items from stores like Fortnum & Mason, Tiffany & Co., and Mulberry.

Make sure to also check out the Old Spitalfields Market, which is right next to the Square Mile. Find a lot of cool shops and stalls, like chocolate shops and shops that sell skin care products.

There are some great restaurants in the City

This area is a great place to eat out in style because it has Michelin-starred restaurants, restaurants with great views, and historic places to hang out.

Club Gascon, La Dame de Pic, and City Social all have dishes that have earned Michelin stars.

Gordon Ramsay's Bread Street Kitchen lets kids under 12 eat for free when an adult buys a meal. This is a great place to stop on your way to see some sights.

Coq D'Argent, Sky Garden's stylish Darwin Brasserie, the highest restaurant in London, Duck & Waffle, and Helix at The Gherkin, which has a 360-degree view, are all great places to eat with great views of London.

Meat eaters should try the prime cuts at Hawksmoor Guildhall, Blacklock City, or Paternoster Chop House.

Sweetings, a seafood restaurant that has been around since 1889, and Simpsons Tavern, a Victorian chop house, are two of the oldest places to eat in the City.

You'll also find a wide range of restaurants at Bloomberg Arcade, which is a great place to eat. For example, Brigadiers is an Indian restaurant and Bleecker is a great place to get a burger.

Want something quick? Every Thursday at lunchtime, you can choose from some of the best food trucks in London at KERB Gherkin.

Cool pubs and bars in the city

The alley behind Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese pub, where a woman is walking toward the side door.

Try to find old pubs in the City, like Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street. The picture comes from Shutterstock.

Some of London's oldest pubs and hippest bars are in the City. These places are busy on weeknights when people go out for drinks after work. Check the hours because some places don't open on Saturdays and Sundays.

At the City of London Distillery bar, you can get a gin and tonic. The bar also offers tours, tastings, and workshops. It is the only place in the City that makes gin.

Find old pubs in the City, like the cozy Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street and the Viaduct Tavern, an old-fashioned gin palace. Perfect for a quiet pint!

Every day of the week, you can listen to live music at Eastcheap Records or Oriole, which specializes in jazz.

Or, take advantage of deals and happy hours at cocktail bars like London Cocktail Club, Simmons, and Dirty Martini near Monument (and other City locations).

At Humble Grape, you can try hundreds of different wines.

At the tech-filled urban golf bar Puttshack Bank, you can grab a putter and play a game with your friends.

Take in views of the City from Iris on top of the Gherkin, Madison above One New Change, or Jin Bo Law, just to name a few of the City's many rooftop bars.

At Dabber's Social Bingo, you can play the popular game of bingo while drinking and eating.

City events you can't miss

During the annual Harvest Festival in the City of London, the Pearly Kings and Queens of London wore sequined clothes.

London's Pearly Kings and Queens are having a harvest party. The picture comes from Shutterstock.

Since 700 years ago, the Ceremony of the Keys has been happening almost every night at the Tower of London.

At the annual Sculpture in the City show, you can see works by well-known artists in public places all over the neighborhood.

Along the Culture Mile between Farringdon and Moorgate, keep an eye out for free events, performances, and interesting installations.

See the annual Lord Mayor's Show, which is a big show that welcomes the new Lord Mayor of London.

At Bishopsgate Institute, there are events, performances, and displays about the arts, history, and health.

At the Goldsmiths' Fair, you can look for treasures and see the beautiful Goldsmiths' Hall.

Join the Pearly Kings and Queens for their annual Harvest Festival in Guildhall Square and be amazed by the sequins they wear.

The London Marathon and the London Landmarks Half Marathon both go through the City, where you can cheer on the runners or run yourself.

Comfortable hotels in the City

Enjoy a luxurious stay at the Andaz Liverpool Street Hotel, which has its own Masonic temple, or the Doubletree by Hilton London – Tower of London, which has a rooftop bar.

Or find a home away from home with Cheval Three Quays's serviced apartments.

People who like to eat might want to stay at The Ned, which has eight restaurants, or the Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square, which has La Dame de Pic, which has a Michelin star.

Dorsett City London and Novotel Tower Bridge are two mid-range hotels with restaurants. Dorsett City London has a gym, and Novotel Tower Bridge has a hammam.

Travelodge London Central Tower Bridge and Premier Inn London Blackfriars are two cheap hotels in London's City district that have family rooms.

Or, if you're on a tighter budget, try London YHA St. Paul's, a hostel in a former school close to St. Paul's Cathedral.

Travel around London's City

From the Millennium Bridge in London's City, you can see St. Paul's Cathedral at night.

When you cross the Millennium Bridge, you can see beautiful views of the City. The picture comes from Shutterstock.

From Liverpool Street, it's easy to get to central London or other nearby places by Tube, bus, taxi, or train. You can also rent a bike and ride to where you want to go next.

City Thameslink, London Fenchurch Street, London Cannon Street, and Moorgate are some of the other major train stations in the City of London.

Take the DLR from Bank station to get to east London.

Take a river bus from the City along the banks of the Thames. This is a great way to see the city. From the pier outside the Tower of London, you can also take a cruise along the River Thames with City Cruises.

If you'll be in London for more than a day, you should get a Visitor Oyster Card ahead of time. Before you go to London, the Visitor Oyster Card is sent to your home. It's one of the easiest ways to get around London.

If you don't have a Visitor Oyster Card but still want to move around London for more than a day, go to a Tube station and buy an Oyster card. Find out more about the Oyster Card.

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