City Of London Walk: Self-Guided Route + Map

The City of London is more than the sum of its financial parts. Visit temples shrouded in mystery, hidden churches, and architectural masterpieces on our walking tour of this compact slice of the original London.

The City of London, known as the square mile, is the historic heart of the capital. It’s where the city first came to life before expansion in the 17^th century burst its original boundaries.

Home to the most historic sites in the city, this walk is a step back in time.

Visit the remains of a Roman temple, see one of the greatest Norman Castles, explore the medieval church of the Knights Templar, and admire Wren’s great cathedral.

Along the way, encounter the institutions integral to London’s development including law courts, central banks, and trading exchanges. It’s one of the most fascinating walks in London.

MAP | CITY OF LONDON WALK

Use our map to navigate this self-guided walking tour of the City of London. We recommend starting at Holborn tube station and finishing at Tower Bridge tube station. However, you could also do this walk in reverse.

The walk is 4.5 miles (7.25 kilometres) and, if you walk without stopping, it would take just over 2 hours. There’s plenty to see along the way, so allow at least half a day.

START / LINCOLN’S INN FIELDS

Start at Holborn station and go through Gate Street to enter Lincoln Inn Fields. If you fancy a caffeine fix to fuel the walk, drop in at Redemption Coffee Roasters.

Lincoln’s Inn Fields was first laid out in the 1630s. Surrounded by attractive townhouses, it’s the largest public square in London.

On its northern side is Sir John Soane’s Museum, the former home of neo-classical architect John Soane. Inside, (free to enter) there’s a large collection of his paintings, sculptures, and drawings. The house is in the same condition as it was when he died in 1837.

LINCOLN’S INN

At the eastern edge of the field is Lincoln’s Inn, one of only four Inns of Court in London that are entitled to call their members barristers. Set in beautiful historic grounds surrounding New Square, it is a hidden gem in London.

Dominating the scene is the Old Hall, built in 1492. Its Tudor architecture of red brick, original roof timbers, and stained-glass windows, is accentuated with soaring turrets and sculptures.

The chapel, (free to enter) tucked into the corner of the square was rebuilt in 1623. Don’t miss the vaulted ceiling beneath its foundations.

ROYAL COURTS OF JUSTICE

Exit New Square and turn left on Carey Street. The glorious white building at the end is the Grade II-listed Maughan Library. It was built in 1851 and its dodecagonal reading room (closed to the public) was inspired by the British Museum.

Turn right onto Bell Yard and then right again on the Strand to stand in front of the Royal Courts of Justice. Looking more like a towering cathedral than a law court, soaring arches complement stained-glass windows decorated with the coats of arms of Lord Chancellors.

In the middle of the road outside the court is a dragon on a plinth. These cast iron dragons mark the boundary of the City of London, which you are about to enter.

TEMPLE CHURCH

Head east back up the Strand, turning right down Middle Temple Lane. This tiny alleyway takes you into the heart of ‘Temple,’ the headquarters of the Knights Templar until they were dissolved in 1312. Today it’s home to Temple Inn, another of the four Inns of Court.

Make a short detour to Middle Temple Hall. Completed in the 1570’s its hammerbeam roof is the best in London but usually closed to the public.

Next up is Temple Church, one of the most significant historic buildings in London.

The oldest section of the church is The Round. Built by the Knights Templar and consecrated in 1185, it was designed to reflect the round church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Inside (£5 to enter) lie the tombs of knights, dating back 800 years.

Turn left up Old Mitre Court, then turn right onto Fleet Street.

FLEET STREET

Fleet Street used to be home to many of Britain’s most famous newspapers including the Daily Telegraph and The Times. Looking for cheaper premises, they left in the 1980s and Fleet Street lost its energy.

Nevertheless, the views up to St Paul’s that flicker between the buildings at the end of the road are excellent.

Literary enthusiasts should take the short detour off Fleet Street to Doctor Johnson’s House (see map above). This 300-year-old townhouse was home to Samuel Johnson, compiler of his great Dictionary of the English Language. The house contains a collection relating to his work (£9 to enter).

ST PAUL’S CATHEDRAL

Rising above the narrow streets of the City of London is St Paul’s Cathedral. One of the most recognisable buildings in London, it dates to a church founded here in 604 CE.

The present building was completed in 1710 by Sir Christopher Wren and has dominated the skyline ever since. It’s worth walking anti-clockwise around the entire church and peering up at the remarkable dome and sculpture-covered facades.

Inside (cheaper if you book in advance), admire the towering nave and glorious stained glass windows. The tombs in the crypt include Nelson, Duke of Wellington, Joseph Turner, and Sir Alexander Fleming.

You can also climb the 1161 steps to the Whispering Gallery (underneath the dome) and the top of the dome which offers panoramic views across London.

PATERNOSTER SQUARE

Paternoster Square is on the northern side of St Paul’s Cathedral. The entrance is marked by Temple Bar Gate, the only surviving gateway to the city of London dating to the late 17^th century.

The gate was at the junction of Strand and Fleet Street before it was moved here in 2004.

Pass under the gate, turn right through Paternoster Square, cross over the busy junction, and head up Cheapside towards the skyscrapers of the city.

WREN CHURCHES

Cheapside runs through the parish of St Mary-le-Bow. The parish once included 9 churches, but all were destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666.

Four were rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren. The most important is the Church of St Mary-le-Bow (free to enter) made famous by the English nursery rhyme Oranges and Lemons.

After the church turn right down Bow Lane, then left down Watling Street. Cross over Victoria Street and head down Bloomberg Arcade where there is an excellent choice of restaurants. Turn left on Walbrook.

LONDON MITHRAEUM

During the construction of Bucklersbury House in 1954, ruins were found beneath Walbrook Street. It turned out to be the remains of a third-century Roman temple dedicated to the god Mithras.

After a failed attempt to move the temple, Bloomberg bought the property and restored it. Today, the Temple of Mithras (or London Mithraeum) sits underneath Bloomberg’s European Headquarters.

London Mithraeum (free to enter) has a small museum before stairs descend to the temple. Entry is every 20 minutes and begins with an immersive light and sound show, after which you are free to walk around the temple walls.

BANK OF ENGLAND

Exit London Mithraeum, turn left up Walbrook, and then right onto Queen Victoria Street. In front of you stands The Bank of England and Royal Exchange.

The Bank of England is the central bank of the United Kingdom and the model upon which most other central banks are built. Established in 1694, it’s the eighth oldest bank in the world and a cornerstone of Britain’s success in the 18^th and 19^th centuries. Today, it’s responsible for one of the largest gold vaults anywhere in the world, around 400,000 bars.

Tucked around the corner of its imposing façade is the small Bank of England Museum (free to enter) detailing the history of the bank and displaying old banknotes. You can even get your hands on one of the two gold bars the Bank of England owns.

ROYAL EXCHANGE

The Royal Exchange is even more imposing than the Bank of England. Opened in 1571 it was to be the centre of commerce in the City of London. Only the exchange of goods was allowed here, so the unruly behaviour of stockbrokers was banished to nearby coffee houses.

The Royal Exchange has been destroyed twice by fire. The version you see today was opened by Queen Victoria in 1844.

Its portico of eight Corinthian columns is topped by a pediment covered in 17 figures representing merchants and traders. Enter through the columns and you’ll find Fortnum & Mason and other boutique brands in the grand halls and arcades.  

Exit out the back, turn right, and then left onto Cornhill. At the A10 main road turn right and almost immediately on your left is Leadenhall Market.

LEADENHALL MARKET

Dating back to the 14^th century, Leadenhall Market is one of the oldest markets in London. Originally a meat, game, and poultry market, the ornate roof was added in 1881.

A dramatic restoration in 1991 made this Grade II listed building one of the most attractive in London. Its beautifully lit arches appeared in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Head through the market, then pass the back of the tubular Lloyds Building. Turn right on Lime Street and cross over Fenchurch Street onto Philpot Street to reach the Sky Garden.

SKY GARDEN

Sky Garden is on top of 20 Fenchurch Street, better known as the Walkie-Talkie. It’s the highest public garden in London with magical panoramic views across the city.

It’s one of the best free things to do in London, but you need to book a free timed entry slot up to three weeks in advance.

Next wind your way down to Monument following the route on the map above.

MONUMENT

The Great Fire of London started on 2 September 1666 in Thomas Farriner’s bakery in Pudding Lane. It swept through the City of London for 4 days destroying most of the buildings.  

The fire is commemorated by the large, fluted Doric column called Monument built between 1671 and 1677. You can climb the 311 steps to the viewing platform at the top (£6), but the views are much better from the Sky Garden.

Near the base of Monument, don’t miss the sign marking Thomas Farriner’s bakery on Pudding Lane.

Take an optional detour onto London Bridge for views along the Thames and up to Tower Bridge, before heading to St Dunstan in the East

ST DUNSTAN IN THE EAST

St Dunstan in the East is one of London’s best hidden gems. Severely damaged in the Blitz of 1941 only the tower and steeple survived. The church was never rebuilt and as nature began to take over, it was opened as a garden in 1967.

Now follow the map, crossing over Lower Thames Street and loop anti-clockwise around the Tower of London.

TOWER OF LONDON

The Tower of London was founded in 1066, but the white tower that gives the castle its name was built by William the Conqueror in 1078.

Stunningly situated by the river Thames it was expanded in the 12^th and 13^th centuries, and its general layout has remained ever since.

It’s free to walk around the outer walls, but to see the Crown Jewels and explore the White Tower, Medieval Palace, and torture exhibition you’ll have to head inside – book a time slot in advance.

TOWER BRIDGE

London’s most ornate bridge was built between 1886 and 1894. The two bridge towers are connected at the upper level by two horizontal walkways and at the lower level by a pair of bascules that open to allow boats to pass underneath.

It’s free to walk across the pedestrian footpath on the lower levels. You’ll need to buy a ticket to head up the towers, visit the Victorian bascule engine rooms, and look through the glass floors of the upper-level walkways.

Finish this City of London at Tower Bridge tube station.

MORE LONDON GUIDES

• Check out all our other favourite walks in London.
• For other great attractions and hidden gems, read our guide to the best things to do in London.
• If you enjoyed this walk, you might like our Shoreditch street art walk.
• Or explore the other side of the river on our South Bank Walk.
• Fancy some countryside, then try our favourite country walks outside London.
• Looking for accommodation, start with our guide to the best neighbourhoods in London.
• Stay up to date with festive events with our guide to Christmas in London.
• Explore further with our 20 day trips from London.