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City of London Walking Tour 4k | Free Tours by Foot

Free Tours by Foot - London・41 minutes read

The tour led by Sinead explores the 2,000-year-old City of London, showcasing landmarks like Saint Paul's Cathedral and the Monument to the Great Fire, lasting 45 minutes. The financial district in London, rich in history and modern buildings, caters to bankers and stockbrokers with unique features like the Duke of Wellington statue and Roman artifacts at the Mithraen Temple museum.

Insights

  • The City of London, established 2,000 years ago, has a rich history marked by significant events like the Great Plague and the Great Fire of London, with Sir Christopher Wren playing a crucial role in rebuilding the city post-disasters.
  • The financial district in London, encompassing landmarks like the Bank of England and the Royal Exchange, not only caters to bankers and stockbrokers but also holds historical significance, with unique street names reflecting past activities and a rich tapestry of Roman civilizations unearthed during construction projects.

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Recent questions

  • What landmarks are visited on the City of London tour?

    Saint Clement Danes, Fleet Street, Saint Bride's Church, Saint Paul's Cathedral, Bank, Monument, London Bridge

  • Who is known as the "Leonardo da Vinci of London"?

    Sir Christopher Wren

  • What is the significance of Fleet Street in London?

    Home to Sweeney Todd, British press, notable buildings

  • What is the history behind the red and white barber pole?

    Originated from Victorian London surgical guild practices

  • What is the architectural significance of St. Paul's Cathedral?

    Renowned landmark, burial site of notable figures

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Summary

00:00

"Exploring Historic City of London with Sinead"

  • The tour is led by Sinead, focusing on the 2,000-year-old City of London, starting at the Church of Saint Clement Danes, showcasing damage from World War II.
  • The tour proceeds down Fleet Street, passing the Royal Civil Courts of Justice, detouring to explore ancient alleyways and Dr. Samuel Johnson's home.
  • The group visits Saint Bride's Church, believed to inspire the first tiered wedding cake, then heads to Saint Paul's Cathedral, known for Princess Diana and Prince Charles' wedding.
  • The tour continues to Bank, visiting Mansion House and the Bank of England before reaching the Monument to the Great Fire of London.
  • The tour concludes on London Bridge, offering views of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, lasting approximately 45 minutes.
  • The City of London, established by Romans 2,000 years ago, has a history marked by tragedies like the Great Plague and the Great Fire of London.
  • Sir Christopher Wren, known as the "Leonardo da Vinci of London," built 51 churches post the Great Fire, with 21 still standing, including Saint Clement Danes.
  • Fleet Street, home to Sweeney Todd, housed the British press and notable buildings like Prince Henry's Rooms and the narrowest pub in London, the Old Tavern.
  • The financial district features landmarks like the Bank of England, Mansion House, and the Royal Exchange, framed by modern buildings like the Gherkin and the Shard.
  • Barbers in Victorian London were part of the surgical guild, legally allowed to perform minor surgeries, leading to the grim tale of Sweeney Todd and the origin of the red and white barber pole.

15:55

Discovering London's Hidden Gems and History

  • London has secret passages and quiet courtyards that offer a peaceful escape from the city's hustle and bustle.
  • Dr. Samuel Johnson's home in London features a statue of his favorite cat, Hodge, who had a preference for oysters.
  • St. Bride's Church, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, is known as the "Wedding Cake Church" due to inspiring the world's first wedding cake.
  • The Old Bell pub, built by Christopher Wren, served the masons working on St. Bride's Church and has been trading for over 300 years.
  • St. Paul's Cathedral, completed in 1710, is a renowned landmark where notable figures like Winston Churchill and Horatio Nelson are buried.
  • Even Song services at Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral offer a beautiful prayer service performed by the choir boys.
  • St. Mary Le Beau church in the City of London is associated with the term "Cockney" for those born within earshot of its bells.
  • The financial district in London caters to bankers and stockbrokers, with businesses facilitating their needs.
  • The area around St. Mary Le Beau church features narrow lanes leading to the heart of the financial district.
  • London's history includes execution sites like Marble Arch and the Old Bailey, known for infamous criminal trials and public hangings.

33:09

Exploring London's Financial District and History

  • The laneway is home to Jack the Clipper barbers and offers a view of St. Paul's Cathedral.
  • Weekdays are busy with locals drinking during work hours, a tradition in the country.
  • The Bloomberg financial institution's new building, named after Mike Bloomberg, took eight years to build and unearthed preserved Roman civilizations during excavation.
  • The Mithraen Temple museum, located at the base of the Bloomberg building, showcases Roman artifacts for free.
  • The financial district houses the Bank of England, Mansion House, and the Royal Exchange, with the Duke of Wellington statue as a prominent feature.
  • Streets in the area have unique names like Poultry Street, reflecting historical activities.
  • The City of London, a 1.1 square mile financial district, hosts numerous international banks and is rich in history.
  • The Bank of England, with walls three meters thick, serves as the advisory bank to the government and houses the country's gold reserves.
  • The Royal Exchange, known for its exclusive shops, was the first stock exchange in London.
  • The area's history includes the grim events of the bubonic plague in 1665 and the Great Fire of London in 1666, which destroyed 80% of the city.

50:36

"London Crown Jewels Tour and More"

  • The tour of the crown jewels typically lasts about two and a half hours, offering more in-depth information than what was shared today. After the tour, visitors can explore nearby dining options and visit the Tower of London. To conclude the city of London tour, visitors are encouraged to leave a review and can support the guides through a PayPal link for a coffee. Future online tours, including rock and roll and Jack the Ripper themes, are being considered.
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