 City of London Travel Guide
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The City of London, a borough within Greater London, is regarded as the historic core of London. It is a very small area covering only about one square mile. For that reason, it is often called The Square Mile, especially within the UK financial service industry. In medieval times, the City of London was all there was of London. It was distinct from the nearby village of Westminster. Today the village of Westminster has developed to become the City of Westminster. Together, they form two of the thirty-two boroughs of Greater London.
City of London
Author: JaT (public domain)
During Roman time, the Romans built a wall around the City of London. That wall has long since disappeared, with only several sections remaining visible today. Sections visible are at St Alphage, London Wall and two sections near the Tower of London.
The City of London has been administered as a separate entity since 886, when Alfred the Great appointed his son-in-law to be Governor of London. It was burned nearly to the ground twice, the first time in 1212, and again in the Great Fire of London, in 1666. The massive air raid mounted on London on the night of 29/30 December destroyed an even greater area than the Great Fire of London of 1666, and was called the Second Great Fire of London.
The City of London is the the major business and commercial heart of the country. To make way for office buildings, many houses were pulled down. As a result, the population of the City of London fell rapidly from the 19th century through most of the 20th century, as people moved out to the suburban areas.
Paternoster Square, Paternoster Square, City of London
Author: gren (public domain)
Today the City of London is the second smallest British city in terms of population and size, after St David's in Wales. It is however a global financial centre. Although less than 10,000 live there, it supports a professional workforce of over 300,000 that commutes into it every day.
The first skyscraper arrived in UK in the 1970s with the construction of the 42-storey, 600-ft tall Natwest Tower within the City of London. Since then, a number of additional skyscrapers have been planned, as the financial services industry continues to grow. These include the 63-storey Bishopsgate Tower, 48-storey Leadenhall Building and 46-storey Heron Tower.
The London Stock Exchange, Lloyds of London and the Bank of England are all located within the City of London. To provide more space for the financial services industry, the Docklands were developed in the 1980's.
Bank of England, Threadneedle Street, City of London
Author: Adrian Pingstone (public domain)
Canary Wharf is a few miles to the east of the boundary of the City of London. Although there had been some fear that its development may do some damage to the Square Mile, Canary Wharf may have instead helped the City in ensuring that the giant corporations such as HSBC have the space they wanted, or otherwise they might have relocated abroad.
In terms of tourist attractions, there are not that many within the City of London, if compared to the City of Westminster. Quite simply, the City of London is a place where people go to work and make money. They go to the West End to play.
Places of Interest in the City of London
- 30 St. Mary Axe
An iconic skyscraper in the Financial District of London.
- All Hallows-by-the-Tower Church
A very old church with a museum in its crypt near the Tower of London.
- Barbican Centre
A huge performing arts centre completed in 1982.
- London Wall
Medieval wall that once encircled the City of London.
- Monument to the Great Fire of London
Monument commemorating those who perished in the 17th century inferno that consumed much of then London.
- Museum of London
Museum documenting London from prehistory to present day.
- Old Bailey
The Central Criminal Court of London, located at the street of the same name.
- St Mary-le-Bow Church
Church at Cheapside the sound of whose bells determine whether a person can consider himself a true Cockney.
- St Paul's Cathedral
One of the biggest and best known Anglican cathedrals in England.
- Tower of London
Famous medieval fortress guarding the eastern entrance to the City of London.
Looking for Prime Office Space?
London is a global city and a leading financial power, with a strong business sector. The city of London is the home of HM Government, with a large number of government ministries and departments. In order to meet the growing needs of London's industries, business premises and office space in City of London will need to be extended to fill demand.
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