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Explore the City of London with a Historian
Explore the City of London with a Historian
4.9
8 reviews
Discover the fascinating history of London’s financial heart on this 2-hour walking tour led by Terry, an experienced history teacher. Explore landmarks like the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Guildhall while uncovering the stories of the East India Company, stock market origins, and more.
From €35 / person
Check datesFrom €35 / person
Check datesHighlights
- Walk through the iconic landmarks of London’s historic financial district
- Learn insider stories about the East India Company and stock market origins
- See sites like the medieval Guildhall, Royal Exchange, and St. Paul’s Cathedral
- Benefit from the expertise of a professional guide and history teacher
Full description
Step into the heart of London’s financial district and uncover its rich history on this small-group walking tour. Led by a professional history teacher, this immersive experience delves into the Roman and medieval origins of the City of London while exploring the pivotal events and institutions that shaped its role as a global banking hub.
Begin your tour at the Tower of London, where your guide will share tales of the area’s Roman roots and medieval transformation. Stroll through historic streets to the Lloyds of London building, a key site of the East India Company’s legacy. Stop at the Royal Exchange and marvel at its neoclassical architecture, alongside the Bank of England and Mansion House.
As you wander through Change Alley, hear how a simple coffeehouse evolved into the birthplace of London’s stock market. Visit the medieval Guildhall and nearby guild buildings, learning about their storied pasts. Finally, conclude at Paternoster Square, where modern finance meets the timeless beauty of St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Perfect for history enthusiasts and curious travelers, this tour offers a unique glimpse into London’s financial and cultural heritage.
A word from your host
Terry
I am a qualified Westminster tour guide and a seasoned history teacher specializing in Stuart and Tudor history. With over 30 years of experience in education and leading tours since 2017, I offer a rare blend of historical expertise and engaging storytelling. Whether uncovering the drama of the East India Company or the origins of the stock market, I will transport you into the fascinating history of the City of London.
Know before you go
- This experience requires good weather; cancellations due to weather will result in a full refund or rescheduled date
- The tour requires a minimum of 2 participants to operate; you’ll receive a full refund or reschedule if the minimum is not met
- The tour is not wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for children aged 12 and up
- Guests must be fluent in English for the best experience
Includes
✔️ Expert guide with a background in history
❌ Food & drinks
❌ Transportation to the meeting point
What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Curiosity and a readiness to explore
Not suitable for
🚫 People with reduced mobility
🚫 Children below 12 years old
Cancellation policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Meeting & end points
Customer reviews
Benjamin_J
Amazingly enjoyable and informative tour. You will learn so much about the history of the area dating back from the Romans to the present while also gaining a greater understanding for how the impacts of history still have implications in the modern day. Highly recommend!
BernWolvo
We did the tour on Wednesday during the half term and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Terry was so welcoming and knowledgeable - it was a pleasure to be in his company for the two hours with his infectious laugh 😃. Would definitely recommend and we would look at booking his other tours for sure. Thank you for looking after us, Terry.
Patrick_S
Very interesting tour about places of power and places about money. Mr. Silvers knows a lot about the history and can show you some great and interesting places.
Anastasiya Y
Good pace, interesting stories and content. We really enjoying exploring City of London and we would definitely recommend the tour with Terry. We spent quite a lot of time trying to find a cafe to have a 5-10 min break. I think it would be more time efficient if he would have like a list of 2-3 cafes where we could stop in advance in case some of them will be closed on weekends (so just to have some backups)
Elena L
The tour was great! Despite living in London and working in the City for a while, I had no clue about all of this. It was fascinating. The guide was very engaging, asking insightful questions to all of us, chatting with us. Some tours can feel a bit boring, but definitely not this one! Really recommend!
Charlotte V
Terry is such an amazing storyteller! He’s very knowledgeable on British colonial history and knows loads of stories related to the City, its power and how it was built. As a Londoner I never usually go to the City, but I enjoyed the tour very much and learned a lot ! More a comment than anything at all, but I felt like the break at the end was perfect. Terry said he usually proposes a half tour break of 10mn. But the longer break at the end meant that we could enjoy the group more and people could engage with him more.
Paul P
Terry speaks with the enthusiasm of a teenager with a college history professor's mind. (which he is!) His tour educates, enlightens and entertains regarding the money and power center of London. A whirlwind history of the City of London is included. If you're into "power," highly recommended.
Safia W
This is our third walking tour with Terry. He is informative, knowledgeable and good fun. We always come away a little more educated than when we began and with some historical insights and a better perspective on what we are looking at in this incredible city. We will be sure to book again with him and highly recommend his tours.