Lloyds of London
Lloyds of London
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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The area
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Neighborhood: City of London
From its ancient past as a Roman trading outpost to its 21st century status as the wealthiest square mile in the world, the financial district known simply as “The City” is one of London's most historic and fascinating neighborhoods. Here high rise office towers such as Norman Foster’s Gherkin mingle with Roman ruins and architectural marvels from virtually every era in between, including Christopher Wren's glorious St.Paul's Cathedral, and John Soane's dauntingly classicist Bank of England. This neighborhood is also home to some of the finest restaurants and plushest hotels in Europe, in addition to an assortment of watering holes, upscale shops, and Tube stations. During the week, the City is abuzz with white collar workers going about their business; the weekend sees this area turn into a quiet haven for sightseers.
How to get there
- Monument • 6 min walk
- Aldgate • 6 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
109 reviews
Excellent
59
Very good
37
Average
12
Poor
1
Terrible
0
therichastill
Stevenage, UK2,768 contributions
Jul 2023 • Solo
Lloyds of London are one of the biggest insurance underwriters in the world. The building they operate out of is based in the City of London and was built in the 1980's. It was quite bold and stood out as a modern building when created. As time has passed it has settled in and found its place amongst the other modern buildings that have sprung up around it.
Written August 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK179,806 contributions
Jun 2019 • Solo
I occasionally work close by and walk past this building opposite the Leadenhall Building. Could be a post modern take on post industrialism aluminium look. I like the unusual looking circular staircase.
Written June 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lissel A
Brisbane, Australia691 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
Spectacular, innovative, divisive and worth seeing up close. It looks like it's either unfinished or partially constructed inside out. I love being challenged by modern architecture - it's like modern sculpture on a grand scale - and this building has much to think about. I was lucky enough to catch a documentary showing the inside and some of the construction concepts and planning issues, and am really glad that there are people willing to take a risk like this. Inevitably, the hated building of yesterday becomes the classic of tomorrow. Completed in 1986, it became the youngest building to get grade 1 listing in 2011. Classic it is. Listed in the book 1001 Buildings you must see before you die.
Written May 31, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave_from_MN
Southlake, TX2,444 contributions
May 2017 • Solo
This world famous and singularly striking modern building, exterior clad in glass and gleaming stainless steel, with its services (including staircases and lifts, and ductwork, electrical power conduits and water pipes) exposed on the outside, is an architectural icon. It is, like the famous and similarly arresting Pompidou Centre, Paris, a great example of Bowellism architecture, which is heavily associated with Richard Rogers, the architect for the building Lloyds.
Arguably as compelling as the Lloyds Building’s exterior is it interior. The intent of placing service on the outside of the building is to maximize space in the interior – and it is breathtaking. Tours must be sponsored by a Lloyd’s pass-holder (at least as far as I am aware) – so it may not be easily achieved, but is very, very much worth the effort. I was fortunate to be working with Lloyds firms Hiscox and Jardine Lloyd Thompson in 2005 & 2006, so was able to tour inside. Of particular note within the Lloyds building are:
(a) the amazing atrium over The Underwriting Room , overlooked by galleries, forming a 60 meter (197 ft) high atrium that is lit naturally through an enormous barrel-vaulted glass roof, with underwriters / traders walking about with binders, the elegantly dressed doormen guarding its entrance;
(b) the “Loss Book”, a bound volume on display in a glass case on which, for 300 years, significant losses have been entered by quill pen, and the ornate wooden Rostrum, and hanging within it the Lutine bell, which is rung traditionally struck when news of an overdue ship arrived - once for the loss of a ship (i.e. bad news), and twice for her return (i.e. good news); and,
(c) and the pièce de résistance – the thing that most surprised and delighted me was the 11th floor Committee Room (known as the Adam Room), which is an 18th-century dining room (plastrer modlings, paint, art work, carpets, furniture, the carved woden box on the credenze with the colored balls used to vote) designed for the 2nd Earl of Shelburne in 1763, which was transferred piece by piece from the previous Lloyd's building – evoking a feeling hat you’re walked into an 18th century estate at the top of the modernist building – just wonderful.
With the nearby 30 St Mary Axe – Norman Foster's instantly recognizable, pickle-shaped skyscraper famously known “The Gherkin” – and nearby (opposite direction) Leadenhall Market – the ornate and beautiful Victorian market, dating from the 14th century market (one of the oldest markets in London) and known to Harry Potter fans from Diagon Alley in the film Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001) – close by, this area of the London Financial District is a great stop to spend an hour or two admiring architecture.
Arguably as compelling as the Lloyds Building’s exterior is it interior. The intent of placing service on the outside of the building is to maximize space in the interior – and it is breathtaking. Tours must be sponsored by a Lloyd’s pass-holder (at least as far as I am aware) – so it may not be easily achieved, but is very, very much worth the effort. I was fortunate to be working with Lloyds firms Hiscox and Jardine Lloyd Thompson in 2005 & 2006, so was able to tour inside. Of particular note within the Lloyds building are:
(a) the amazing atrium over The Underwriting Room , overlooked by galleries, forming a 60 meter (197 ft) high atrium that is lit naturally through an enormous barrel-vaulted glass roof, with underwriters / traders walking about with binders, the elegantly dressed doormen guarding its entrance;
(b) the “Loss Book”, a bound volume on display in a glass case on which, for 300 years, significant losses have been entered by quill pen, and the ornate wooden Rostrum, and hanging within it the Lutine bell, which is rung traditionally struck when news of an overdue ship arrived - once for the loss of a ship (i.e. bad news), and twice for her return (i.e. good news); and,
(c) and the pièce de résistance – the thing that most surprised and delighted me was the 11th floor Committee Room (known as the Adam Room), which is an 18th-century dining room (plastrer modlings, paint, art work, carpets, furniture, the carved woden box on the credenze with the colored balls used to vote) designed for the 2nd Earl of Shelburne in 1763, which was transferred piece by piece from the previous Lloyd's building – evoking a feeling hat you’re walked into an 18th century estate at the top of the modernist building – just wonderful.
With the nearby 30 St Mary Axe – Norman Foster's instantly recognizable, pickle-shaped skyscraper famously known “The Gherkin” – and nearby (opposite direction) Leadenhall Market – the ornate and beautiful Victorian market, dating from the 14th century market (one of the oldest markets in London) and known to Harry Potter fans from Diagon Alley in the film Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001) – close by, this area of the London Financial District is a great stop to spend an hour or two admiring architecture.
Written August 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kristina P
London, UK586 contributions
Sep 2018 • Solo
Lloyd’s Register’s London office is incredible place with stunning interior.
Open House festival giving free access to London’s best buildings and you also can visit Lloyd’s Register office for free. You must!
Open House festival giving free access to London’s best buildings and you also can visit Lloyd’s Register office for free. You must!
Written October 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ian C
London, UK23,970 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
It was a bold move for Lloyds of London, a traditional City institution, to commission one of the most innovative and controversial buildings of its day.
Having twice outgrown its offices, Lloyds commissioned Richard Rogers and Partners, after an architectural competition, for its new building which was built between 1976 and 1986 at a cost of £75 million.
Remnants of the old buildings remain - there are a few panelled rooms reconstructed inside and the entrance from to 12 Leadenhall Street from the 1928 building which is now both a war memorial and a triumphal arch.
The building, with its services, lifts and staircases on the outside, provides clear flexible spaces inside and an unique sculptural addition to the City townscape, now dwarfed by Roger's latest building across the road. It is interesting to compare the two buildings which are 30 years apart.
Having twice outgrown its offices, Lloyds commissioned Richard Rogers and Partners, after an architectural competition, for its new building which was built between 1976 and 1986 at a cost of £75 million.
Remnants of the old buildings remain - there are a few panelled rooms reconstructed inside and the entrance from to 12 Leadenhall Street from the 1928 building which is now both a war memorial and a triumphal arch.
The building, with its services, lifts and staircases on the outside, provides clear flexible spaces inside and an unique sculptural addition to the City townscape, now dwarfed by Roger's latest building across the road. It is interesting to compare the two buildings which are 30 years apart.
Written May 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
D P
Wellington, New Zealand6,709 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
Rated poor as personally I think this is the most ugly building I've ever seen.
It looks more like an oil refinery than an office block.
If however you're into architecture then it's definitely worth checking out. Just look for the big ugly steel exterior piping and concrete in amongst the traditional stonework buildings and some other better modern building examples.
It looks more like an oil refinery than an office block.
If however you're into architecture then it's definitely worth checking out. Just look for the big ugly steel exterior piping and concrete in amongst the traditional stonework buildings and some other better modern building examples.
Written March 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlbertSalichs
Manresa, Spain11,603 contributions
May 2016 • Family
Lloyds of London is the main building of the Lloyds Bank and it is located in the centre of the City in London. It is located in a zone, where there are a lot of beautiful skyscrapers and some of them more beautiful than Lloyds building. Regrettably it is not possible to go up in this building, because it is private. I am sure that the views from the top would be great.
The building is not covered by a traditional wall and you can see the technical part of the building (pipelines, pumps, etc.), so it is very interesting. It is a pity that there are too many buildings in the surroundings and you can not see very well this no-wall.
Goodbye Papa!
The building is not covered by a traditional wall and you can see the technical part of the building (pipelines, pumps, etc.), so it is very interesting. It is a pity that there are too many buildings in the surroundings and you can not see very well this no-wall.
Goodbye Papa!
Written June 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SophieLauren-1994
Leeds, UK23 contributions
Feb 2016 • Business
Visited Lloyds for work and had a guided tour, the building its self is incredible and the guided tour was very informative, from the top floors the views over London are amazing, if you get chance it's defiantly worth a visit, the place is full of history and generally really interesting.
Written February 5, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
goldenlane
London12 contributions
Jan 2013 • Friends
How a staid conservative institution like an insurance market came to commission this building is something of a mystery. But they did and the old boys in pinstripes must not have know what had hit them. The building is great from the outside but if you can get in on the once-a-year oped day called London Open House every September its worth it. Otherwise the interior is out of bounds. You can see the building working from the outside, though. It is now a protected building, in spite of its youth, so cant be altered. Directly opposite is another commercial building by the same architect Richard Rogers - the wedge shaped tower known as the Cheesegrater. so you can see two for the price of one.
Written January 26, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane P
1 contribution
Can anyone go inside the Lloyd's building to see the museum and the bell?
G R
15 contributions
How can you arrange a tour? My sister and husband both work in insurance and are interested in visiting, but from what I read they’re selective about who they give tours to. Who do you contact?
Melissa Z
60 contributions
Can anyone tour Lloyd’s of London? Does the tour have to be pre-arranged? Is there a dress code for the tour?
Tajaharis I
8 contributions
You must pre arranged the tour. I think it is only dor certain area of the building since it is an office and working area. Business visitor must be in full suit.
claireivey
Plymouth, UK
My Daughter is an A-level photography student and for her final exam piece she is choosing amazing structures. She is travelling up from Cornwall to take photos in a couple of days; with her younger sister. So are you allowed to go into the building to take photos?
professor dr p
60 contributions
No you are not
Dobrij vecher,esli u menja zakancivaetsja srok karti,lloyds bank prisilaet domoj novuju kartochku?esli u menja zakanchivaetsja v nojabre,to kogda ona dolzna bitj novaja?
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Claim your listingLloyds of London - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Lloyds of London
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