Let's take a walk in
The City of London,
look up, learn, smile and be happy.
Look what you might be missing
There are so many wonderful things to see and experience whilst walking around the City of London. You just need time to stop, look up, and take in the history at each planned, and sometimes unplanned stops. Let us take care of you for a couple of hours, fill your minds with interesting facts, and allow you to feast your eyes on some great iconic buildings, old and new, Ancient Churches and a variety of different Livery Company Halls.
Why is this called Cheapside?
What is this Building and where is it?
The Panyer Boy of Panyer Alley
Where is this Telephone?
Time to Reflect in this pocket garden
Exposed Roman Wall at Tower Hill
The Legend of The London Stone
A HISTORY OF THE CITY OF LONDON
2,000 years of History beneath your feet.
The Romans invaded Britain and settled in London nearly 2000 years ago in AD43 when the then Emperor Claudius sailed up the River Thames. The closest point to bridge the Thames, to bring up supplies from the South East, was at London Bridge. Up until this time London did not exist except for some primitive dwellings and most of it would have been covered with forests of trees. The Romans stayed for 400 years and then followed what was called the "Dark Ages" until the Anglo Saxons took occupation in around AD800.
Beneath the City today more and more evidence is being discovered of Roman Londinium, as a result of the redevelopment of more recent buildings. The City of London Corporation protect these valuable historic sites and in many cases require the developer to preserve and create a permanent display for the general public to access.
Some of these sites are exposed sections of the Roman Wall that once enclosed the City, whilst others are usually located in basement areas which would have been the original ground level in Roman times.
Let us show you these various sites and how the Romans shaped our lives.
"what did the Romans ever do for us"
Monty Python's Life of Brian 1979
Discover the following Roman site locations across the City
Barbican & Noble Street
London Wall (this is the Street name)
Tower Hill & Leonardo Hotel.
Bay 52 London Wall Car Park
The Temple of Mithras
Billingsgate Bath House (by Appointment only)
Vine Street Cafe
One America Square (ask at Reception)
All Hallows by The Tower Church (section of Pavement)
How the City of London is Governed ?
Since William the Conqueror came to power in 1066, following victory at the Battle of Hastings, the City of London has held a unique position in the Country in terms of its own governance.
The City of London elects itself a new Lord Mayor every year, the first Mayor of the City being Henry fitz Ailwin in 1189. To this day the only person in the City to take precedence is the Monarch, King Charles II. The present Lord Mayor is the 696th.
Williams Writ
King Henry V's Crystal Sceptre
Richard Whittington - Lord Mayor
25 Electoral Wards
100 Common Councillors
25 Aldermen
2 Sherriffs
1 Lord Mayor
111 Livery Companies
640 Acres (1 Square Mile)
51 Churches
375 Open Spaces
City of London Police
London Port Health Authority
City of London Cemetery & Crematorium
Markets
Charities
Heathrow Animal Reception Centre
Resident population 8,600
Workers 615,000