A mini guide to
Two thousand years of history in one square mile
1 / 10Welcome to the neighbourhood
The City of London is both the capital's financial district and its oldest part. Here you will find the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, St Paul's Cathedral, Leadenhall Market and the remains of a Roman amphitheatre.
It is at its quietest at weekends, which makes it an easy area to explore at a leisurely pace.
Highlights
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
A Victorian covered market with a painted iron roof, full of cobbled lanes, pubs and shops. It featured as Diagon Alley in Harry Potter.
According to OpenStreetMap contributors. Check with the venue before you go.
Wren and Hooke's tall stone column marking where the 1666 fire began, with 311 steps up to a viewing gallery.
According to OpenStreetMap contributors. Check with the venue before you go.
Directions Website Report a problem with The Monument to the Great Fire of London
A small pedestrian courtyard off Fenchurch Street, a quiet pocket among the City's lanes.
All that remains of a medieval church is its tower, standing in a small churchyard on Mark Lane.
A reconstructed Roman temple of Mithras, displayed beneath Bloomberg's European headquarters on Walbrook.
According to OpenStreetMap contributors. Check with the venue before you go.
A church founded in the 7th century, with a Saxon arch. Samuel Pepys climbed its tower to watch the Great Fire.
According to OpenStreetMap contributors. Check with the venue before you go.
Directions Website Report a problem with All Hallows-by-the-Tower
Find your way
The map shows The City & Tower and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists the nearest stations and how to reach the area.
Insider tips
The Tower of London and St Paul's are best booked online, and the Crown Jewels draw big queues.
Many City restaurants and pubs shut at weekends, so check opening times.
The City mixes medieval churches with glass skyscrapers, so keep looking up.
Walking across Tower Bridge is free, and the glass walkway needs a ticket.
Tips from the Britlens editors
Keep exploring London
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