Home › Cities › City of London
WHERE LONDON BEGAN

Founded by the Romans, this ancient city has weathered invasion, war and fire to be custodian of centuries’ old traditions, modern cultural icons, world-class restaurants, and some of the best views the capital has to offer.

AT A GLANCE

Cultural icons. Hidden gems.

Home to Europe’s largest arts centre, the Barbican, the iconic dome of St Paul’s Cathedral and the landmark towers of Tower Bridge, you can experience world-class cultural institutions whilst also uncovering hidden gems and peaceful sanctuaries for rest and reflection. Don’t miss the moving Watt Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice in Postman’s Park, a poignant memorial to heroism in everyday life, or the medieval grandeur of the Guildhall Great Hall.

Take your breath away

Gaze down on skyscrapers from a garden in the sky, watch a bridge lift through the glass floors in the walkways of Tower Bridge or perhaps watch the sunset on St Paul’s Cathedral with a cocktail in hand: the City has staggeringly beautiful views that provide new perspectives on this ancient city.

One square mile

Well served by tube, train, bus and riverboat, and with a geographical footprint of one square mile, you can easily carve your own path through the City on your own two feet. For maps and information visit the City Information Centre next to St Paul’s Cathedral, for free, impartial advice from friendly, multi-lingual advisors.

Visit the City of London website for more information.

The City of London

Originally, London was solely the City – or Square Mile as it has become known – and it became the capital of Roman Britain in AD100. Over the centuries, London flourished as a trading port, the rights and privileges of its citizens being well established by the time of the Norman conquest in 1066. The City of London Corporation, which governed civic life and trade, developed a model of municipal democracy which was copied by many towns and cities and the City became the most powerful and prestigious square mile in the world.

An inspiration to some of England’s most loved writers, Shakespeare, Dickens and Chaucer all worked here, and its rich heritage continues to inspire new generations of writers, filmmakers and architects.

The City is custodian of a remarkable legacy. From a Roman sports arena to one of England’s oldest public libraries, the art, treasures and curiosities gathered over the centuries are available for everyone to enjoy.

Things to Do
Image of Saint Paul's Cathedral dome© Chapter, St Paul’s Cathedral St. Paul's Churchyard, London, EC4M 8AD St Paul's Cathedral St Paul’s is not only an architectural masterpiece and its dome a landmark of the London skyline, but also a symbol of the hope, strength and resilience of the city and nation it serves.
Image of a recreation of a Victorian London street© Museum of London 150 London Wall, Barbican, London, EC2Y 5HN Museum of London The Museum of London tells the story of the capital and all its people. Discover 450,000 years of history on your doorstep - book your free ticket online to explore the greatest stories from the greatest city.
Room with paintings hanging on the wall and two benches© Guildhall Art Gallery Guildhall Yard, London, EC2V 5AE Guildhall Art Gallery Guildhall Art Gallery houses the City of London’s art collection, particularly rich in Victorian art, and manages the archaeological remains of London’s Roman Amphitheatre. An art Gallery about London, for London.
Image of the City Information Centre building© City of London Corporation St Paul's Churchyard, London, EC4M 8BX City Information Centre The City Information Centre (CIC) is London's only independent tourist information centre. Get friendly, multilingual advice on everything there is to see and do in London and beyond from our expert advisors.
Image of The Charterhouse exterior© The Charter House Charterhouse Square, Barbican, London, EC1M 6AN The Charter House The Charterhouse has been living the nation’s history since 1348. Founded as a medieval Carthusian monastery, the site became a grand Tudor mansion, a boys’ school, and an almshouse. Seven centuries of London’s history in one seven-acre site.
Family walking on glass floor at Tower Bridge© Tower Bridge Tower Bridge Rd, London, SE1 2UP Tower Bridge Come up, look out and see more when visiting Tower Bridge. Walk on the iconic Glass Floor Walkway and see the Victorian Engine Rooms that once powered the Bridge.
Woman with virtual reality glasses 56 Leadenhall Street, London, EC3A 2BJ Jeff Wayne's The War of The Worlds: The Immersive Experience Jeff Wayne's The War of The Worlds: The Immersive Experience is a new, completely unique event where live actors, virtual reality goggles, and sensational 5D effects place you INSIDE the action.
Image of sailing boat with Tower Bridge in the background© Imagine Experiences Start your adventure at the Tower Bridge Museum The River’s Tale Embark on one of London’s most famous wooden sailing barges, Sailing Barge Will, crafted in 1924, and cruise the Thames in style as the majestic Tower Bridge opens for you.
Couple kayaking on the River Thames© London Kayak Company Qube Self Storage, Tunnel Ave, London, SE10 0PA London Kayak Leave the crowded streets behind and glide with the tide through the heart of the City at a leisurely pace, uniquely by Kayak. Cruise through 2000 years of history and culture and see London as it's meant to be, from the river.
Tour guide talking to a group of people© City of London Guides Setting off from next to St Paul’s Cathedral City Highlights Walking Tour Uncover the stories behind some of London’s finest and most iconic buildings and characters with this insider’s guided walking tour of the City, led by official guides to London’s legendary Square Mile.
Tour guide talking to a group of tourists© Look Up London Starts outside exit 2 of St Paul’s Station The City: Power and Sacrifice Walking Tour Walk the hidden alleyways of the Square Mile, meeting the heroes, villains and martyrs of London. Who really holds the power in The City? And what do they have to sacrifice to get it?
Roman ruins in a basement© City of London Corporation 101 Lower Thames Street London, EC3R 6DL Billingsgate Roman House and Baths Beneath the curious cobbled pathways of the Square Mile lies a rich Roman history surviving 2,000 years of building, fires and bombings. The Billingsgate Roman Bathhouse, discovered in 1848, is one of Roman London’s most fascinating remains.
Food & Drink
Image of the interior of a pub© Merchant House 13 Well Ct, London, EC4M 9DN Gin & Whisky Masterclass Enjoy a masterclass and discover the secret histories and methods behind your chosen spirit. Includes a welcome drink, followed by 4x tasters of their chosen spirit to illuminate the story.
Distillery bar with Gin bottles in the background© City of London Distillery 22-24 Bride Ln, London, EC4Y 8DT Gin Tasting, Tours & Workshops The only distillery in the City of London area offers distillery tours and gin tastings, as well as a gin lab experiences where you can distil, bottle, and name your own gin recipe.
People walking and drinking in an covered market Gracechurch St, London, EC3V 1LT Leadenhall Market Sitting at the heart of Roman London, 14th Century Leadenhall Market was originally a meat, poultry and game market. Its beautiful Victorian architecture now houses boutique retailers, restaurants, cafes, wine bars and an award-winning pub.
View of Cheapside street Cheapside Street, EC4M, London Cheapside Cheapside represents one of the City of London’s most prestigious retail and leisure destinations, set against a backdrop of one of the most historic parts of London and surrounded by world-famous landmarks, Cheapside is a truly unique part of the City.
People sitting doing on the steps of Broadgate Circle enjoying the sunshine Exchange House, 12 Exchange Square, London Broadgate Broadgate is the largest pedestrianised neighbourhood in Central London: a diverse community connecting innovation and finance, and a public arena for food, retail and culture.
Places to Stay
Rooftop swimming pool with views of the City@ The Ned The Ned, 27 Poultry, London, EC2R 8AJ The Ned The Ned includes 250 bedrooms channelling 1920s and 1930s design, ten restaurants, 17 bars and ‘Ned’s Club’, where members have access to a rooftop pool, gym, spa, hammam and late-night lounge bar in the bank’s original vault.
Hotel room© Tower Suites 100 Minories, London, EC3N 1JY Tower Suites Commanding sweeping views over the River Thames and the Tower of London, Tower Suites offers independent living inside elegant suites with fully equipped kitchens and lounges whilst having access to the facilities and services of a five-star hotel.
Rooftop bar with views of the City of London@ Hilton 7 Pepys St, Tower, London, EC3N 4AF DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London - Tower of London London’s wildest sky-high destination, Savage Garden, brings decadent décor, jaw-dropping views, dramatic cocktails and savage menus to Tower Hill. Make your stay in London stylish by staying at Doubletree by Hilton London Tower of London.
View of Tower Bridge from room terrace@ Cheval Residences 40 Lower Thames Street, London, EC3R 6AG Cheval Three Quays Cheval Three Quays is a luxury all-apartment Residence superbly located on the River Thames and next door to the historic Tower of London. Every spacious apartment at Cheval Three Quays comes with a fully equipped kitchen.
Woman texting on her phone sitting on the bed© Club Quarters 24 Ludgate Hill, London, EC4M 7DR Club Quarters - St Pauls Next to the iconic dome-shaped St. Paul’s Cathedral and located in the courtyard of the historic Stationer’s Hall, this CQ location sets its modern accommodations against the 800-year history of the City of London area.
Lounge room at a hotel© Club Quarters Gracechurch 7, Gracechurch St, London, EC3V 0DR Club Quarters - Gracechurch An historic original banking hall centrally located in the city of London and adjacent to Leadenhall Market, guests of CQ’s Gracechurch outpost will revel in cobbled courtyards and alleys leading to a myriad of destinations for work and play.
Four Seasons Hotel Front Entrance© Four Seasons 10 Trinity Square, London, EC3N 4AJ Four Seasons Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square offers a contemporary experience set within a historic grade-II listed building in the City of London, steps from world-leading businesses, cultural hotspots and historic attractions.
An elegant and compact city, packed with history, culture and green spaces, as well as its world-famous thermal waters. Bath
Exquisite architecture and rich in history, discover majestic college buildings and hidden gems. Cambridge
Carlisle has over 2,000 years of history. Celts, Romans, feuding Border Reivers and invading armies have all left a fascinating legacy for you to explore. Carlisle
Vibrant modern culture blends with ancient Roman heritage and Elizabethan architecture. Chester
Durham City, complete with its world-famous cathedral, quaint winding cobbled streets and relaxing riverside walks, lies to the North East of England, sitting between York and Edinburgh, and... Durham
Nestled on a hilltop, this vibrant and quirky city offers a fascinating glimpse into England's past. Lancaster
Visit Greenwich, the place where eastern and western hemispheres meet and Royal heritage mixes with the 21st century. Greenwich
Visit Britain's Best Small City – vibrant, beautiful and historic. Lincoln
Home to the world-famous and oldest university in the English-speaking world. Oxford
Salisbury is the ideal fusion of ancient and modern, where medieval magnificence meets contemporary culture. Salisbury
Home to the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, award winning gardens and the Royal Cornwall Museum that delves into Cornwall’s mining and engineering heritage. Truro
Roman roots and a Viking past, an ancient walled city bursting with must-see treasures. York