Financial District Tour

The walking tour of London’s financial district offered by London Tours provides an excellent opportunity to see both historical and modern architecture, as well as a chance to learn about some of London’s more obscure history. The tour begins at The Monument at the junction of Monument Street and Fish Street Hill, built in memorial of the Great Fire of London in 1666. The stone carvings on the face of the monument show a female figure with a sword, meant to represent the City of London. This female figure is comforted by a man representing Father Time, who promises her both wealth and peace. Each of the other figures in the carving are a metaphor that provide a deeper understanding of the importance and affect of the Great Fire on London culture. From this monument, the tour continues on through backstreets and alleys, covering everything from the Roman occupation of London to the Bubonic Plague, the filming locations of Harry Potter and the construction of modern financial firms. Although focused on the area as a center for financial decisions and trading, the tour is varied in its coverage on topics of interest. The guides are a source of innumerable knowledge and the tour could be taken multiple times under different guides and you would learn new facts each round. This tour is a necessity for those with an interest in both London history and the modern financial importance of the City of London. The tour company is highly recommended and offers tours on a range of topics from Jack the Ripper to foodie culture and everything in between. While immensely entertaining, the tours require extensive walking and are not recommended for those with disabilities that limit their mobility. For those in this scenario, it would be possible to complete the tour, though tiring.