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The booming square mile is full of buzzing, energetic bars and
restaurants teeming with exuberant brokers, traders, stockbrokers,
bankers and financiers who deal in millions. An evening drink in
a couple of bars or pubs will give you more insight into City life
than any organised tour. Beside the gleaming modern buildings, there’s
a warren of ancient streets, St Paul’s and the Tower. But
its only worth doing this walk on a weekday. Tower of London
As you come out of the tube station, The Tower rises before you
like an impregnable fortress. It was built in 1097 to protect London
from potential invaders. When none showed up, it was used as a royal
residence and, most notably, as a prison. Shivers are guaranteed
in the Martin Tower, where instruments of torture are exhibited.
Opening hours: Nov-Feb Tue-Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 10am-4pm
Mar-Oct Mon-Sat 9am-5pm Sun 10am-5pm
Tel: 020 7709 0765
St Paul’s Cathedral
When the original St Paul’s was destroyed in the Great
Fire of London in 1666, Sir Christopher Wren was commionised to
rebuild it. He turned for inspiration to St Peter’s in Rome.
Climb up to the Whispering Gallery, where the sound of your voice
carries to the other side of the dome. Then cross the river over
the Millennium Bridge.
The Crown Jewels
You can admire the jewels without exhausting yourself as a travelator
has been installed to stop visitors spending too much time looking
at them! Almost all the royal insignia were destroyed by Cromwell
during the period of the Commonwealth (1649-1660), and the one’s
on show today in a room in the Tower mostly date from the coronation
of Charles II in 1661, when the monarchy was restored. Don’t
miss Queen Elizabeth’s crown or the enormous diamond in the
royal sceptre.
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