Discovering the Historic Square Mile

Join me Lee Cooper—professional guide and qualified London cab driver—for a tour of the Historic Square Mile, the beating heart of London. We'll meet by Cannon Street rail station at an agreed time and explore the City's fascinating history, from its Roman roots to its present-day skyscrapers. The tour route is roughly circular and will finish around the Bank Junction area of the City.

From Roman remains beneath the streets to the present-day skyscrapers, this walking tour takes you on a journey through 2,000 years of history. We'll see wonderful architecture from previous centuries, as well as the new cutting-edge buildings like The Gherkin, Cheesegrater, and Walkie-Talkie.

I'll tell you about the Historic Livery Companies (trade guilds), and share lots of interesting stories behind the trades and their origins and traditions. We'll also see the City's dragon boundary markers and some of the beautiful churches and their connections to the City, and visit some of the ‘pocket parks’ tucked away in side streets. The walk is a great way to get to know the City, and you'll learn about its rich history and culture. You'll get to know it like a local, and you'll come away with a deeper appreciation for this fascinating place.

The tour is approximately 3 hours long, and we'll stop for coffee and comfort breaks along the way. The sites we visit are mostly outdoors, but we may be able to access some churches if they are open on the day. The gardens are generally open during city office hours—roughly 9am to 5pm.