city of london tourist information

Select language

What are you looking for.

VisitBritain/Hazel Parreno

Why we love London

An unmissable destination for travellers, London is a melting pot of history, culture, green spaces and an international crowd that spills into every delicious corner of its cuisine.  From the unique vintage markets of Portobello Road or Camden to the huge highstreet shops of Oxford Street, Regent Street and Westfield, food lovers will be spoilt for every kind of cuisine - check out trendy trendy Shoreditch and Brick Lane to colourful Chinatown.

Hike up its iconic landmarks and sip a cocktail in tallest building, The Shard, or take in the view from one of its many rooftop bars. Immense yourself in a leading cultural scene with no fewer than four international orchestras, a plethora of West End theatres and live gigs from Wembley to the O2 (Millennium Dome). And discover world-leading museums and galleries, from the Natural History Museum to London’s two Tates. And for some downtime, soak up some rays in one of the city’s Royal Parks or the green lungs of Hampstead Health or Greenwich. Britain’s biggest city has it all – and then some more!

VisitLondon/Jon Reid

NG200, National Gallery

It’s party time as the National Gallery celebrates 200 years. Expect an ambitious programme of events in 2024, including a special Vincent Van Gogh exhibition.

Wembley Stadium

Wembley, London

2024 UEFA Champions League final: Wembley Stadium

What better place is there see the 2024 UEFA Champions League final than at Wembley Stadium? See the best of the best in football crowned champions as the 2023/24 competition concludes.

boroughmarket

Borough Market

The mother of all food markets in London. Dating back from the thirteenth century, Borough Market  is an institution. From gourmet and sustainable to butchers, bakers and cheese makers and all things food.

visitlondon.com

Art but not as you know it

On the bank of the Thames, in a sort of trendier more modern sister of Pimlico’s  Tate Britain , is Tate Modern . Free to enter, you can take in 360 views of London and eat and drink here too.

VisitBritain/Rama Knight

Hit up London’s Southbank

A giant of culture,  Southbank Centre is made up a few places that house London’s most desired events from music to poetry. There’s books, cafes and multiple venues hosting some of London’s most sought-after events.

Get your London Eye tickets

Book your tower of london tickets, things to do in london.

Choosing an option from the dropdown will automatically update the map listing results to filter by your selection.

The London Eye

Take a spin on this world-famous London landmark: riding high in a glass pod, you’ll enjoy magnificent views of the capital.

VisitBritain/Secret Adventures

ABBA Voyage

ABBA return to the stage as Abbatars for a unique performance.

VisitBritain/Abba Voyage

Tower of London

Get hands-on with history at this former palace and prison. It’s full of tales and treasures, including the Crown Jewels.

Visit Britain/George Johnson

iFLY at The O2

Feel the adrenaline rush as you take flight and freefall through the air at this indoor skydiving experience.

iFLY London

London’s Royal Parks

London’s eight Royal Parks offer an oasis of calm in the city – as well as amazing venues for live music, festivals and theatre.

VisitBritain/Tareq Mooradun

Buckingham Palace

On selected dates, Buckingham Palace opens its doors to visitors: your chance to explore the Royal Family’s iconic London home.

VisitBritain/Tom Weightman

Natural History Museum

Explore the story of life on Earth at this fantastic – and free – museum. A must-visit for all animal lovers and curious thinkers!

VisitBritain/Anastasia Ustenikova

Warner Bros. Studio Tour - Harry Potter

Filled with original props, sets and costumes from the Harry Potter films, this is a must-visit for all fans.

Warner Bros. Studio Tours, The Making of Harry Potter / Marc Sethi

London Rock Tour

A musical journey through the sounds of rock music, from 1950s beatnik coffee houses in Soho, to Freddie Mercury and Queen’s very own playground in Kensington.

David Bowie Walking Tour

Get to know the man behind Ziggy Stardust as you uncover the stories and sounds of a musical legend in Brixton and Soho.

Brit Music Tours

West End Silent Disco Walking Tour

Party, parade and prance through the dazzling streets of London’s West End, taking in the city’s theatres while listening to their musical sounds.

Silent Disco Walking Tours

Thames Rockets

Scream if you want to go faster! Part sightseeing cruise, part rollercoaster ride, this speedboat is an epic way to explore London.

VisitBritain/Thames Rockets

Secret Adventures - Kayak

Join this small-group kayaking tour on the River Thames and see London from a whole new perspective.

The Dare Skywalk

Do you dare walk on the roof of London’s mighty Tottenham Hotspur Stadium? Its London views are incredible…

Tottenham Hotspur

Up at the O2

The O2 is one of the capital’s top entertainment venues – but did you know you can also climb up to its roof?

Museum of London

Full of spine-tingling stories, archive photos and curious artefacts, this museum explores the capital’s past.

VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A)

The epicentre of all-things art and design, the V&A explores everything from high-art sculptures to vintage fashions.

VisitBritain/Aurélie Four

Tate Modern

Discover modern art and captivating exhibitions on the bank of the River Thames.

Somerset House

From outdoor movie screenings to vibrant art exhibitions, Somerset House is packed with fun things to do.

Kevin Meredith

Tally Ho Gin Safari

Discover the entertaining history of London’s favourite spirit on this gin-fuelled bike tour of Southwark and Bermondsey.

©VisitBritain/Jacob Niblett

Supperclub Tube

On a 1967 former Victorian Line carriage, you’ll enjoy a six-course Latin American menu in this truly unique combination.

Jess Rose Photography

Taste of London

Immerse yourself in cooking masterclasses, watch live demonstrations from Michelin star chefs or tee off for a round of crazy golf.

VisitBritain/Jacob Niblett

London in the Sky

Taking dining to new heights, this open-air table is suspended high over Greenwich: an epic spot for dinner and drinks.

The Sherlock Holmes Museum

Step back in time to the Victorian world of one of the greatest literary detectives, Sherlock Holmes, at his ‘real life’ address.

VisitBritain/Emmanuel Teikirisi

The British Library

From Leonardo da Vinci's notebooks to priceless artworks, Britain’s biggest library is rammed full of treasures…

British Library

Imperial War Museum

Revealing the human side of Britain’s conflicts, the world’s largest war museum is both poignant and fascinating.

Imperial War Museums

St Paul's Cathedral

Open to visitors of all faiths and none, London’s iconic cathedral hosts guided tours, live music and art exhibitions.

VisitBritain/Matador Network

Houses of Parliament

Westminster Palace is the spectacular home of the British Government – see it for yourself on a guided tour.

London Pride

Britain’s biggest Pride celebration takes over the capital every summer – with spin-off events year-round.

Tristan Fewings

UK Black Pride

Dive into Europe’s largest celebration for African, Asian, Middle Easter, Latin American and Caribbean LGBTQIA+ people in London.

All Points East

August 2024 Big names hit up the capital for two weekends of music extravaganza from the likes of Gorillaz, Tame Impala and The Chemical Brothers.

Louise Morris/ All Points East

Wireless Festival

12 – 14 July 2024 The place to be for rap and R&B music in the UK with previous headliners including Kanye West and Jay-Z.

Festival Republic

DJ and clubbing royalty headline this annual fiesta of electronic music, in East London’s Victoria Park.

Outside Org/Eric Aydin

Mighty Hoopla

This flamboyant festival of pop and queer culture has featured the likes of Steps, Cheryl and Chaka Khan.

Forage London

These foraging tours reveal the edible herbs, flowers and berries hidden in the capital’s parks and gardens.

Little Venice

Though it’s just steps from Paddington, this waterside area is famed for its tranquil walks and charming pubs.

VisitBritain/Francesco Stile

Skuna Boats

Hop on board a floating hot tub or barbecue boat, for a tour of Canary Wharf you’ll never forget.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Connect with nature at London’s 300-acre Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, founded by King George III’s mother in 1759.

VisitBritain/J Baxter

Richmond Park

One of London’s eight royal parks, this wildlife-filled nature reserve is a haven for solitude-seekers.

At this state-of-the-art spa, Eastern traditions meet Western technologies, for an exhilarating full-body experience.

Kensington Palace, London

The home to many a royal, from Queen Victoria, William III, to Queen Anne.

Â? visitlondon.com/Jon Reid

Westminster Abbey, London

Step into more than 1,000 years of history at the setting of every coronation since 1066.

Hampton Court Palace

Once the home of King Henry VIII, it now hosts vibrant festivals, outdoor movies, historic tours – and the odd ghost.

VisitBritain/Historic Royal Palaces

Oxford Street

This retail heaven boasts almost 1.5 miles (2.4km) of flagship boutiques – for fashion, beauty, souvenirs and more.

Kevin Lamport

Portobello Road

Find the world-famous antiques market spilling over with fascinating wares.

Â? visitlondon/Antoine Buchet

This East London street is famous for its vintage fashions, bustling stalls and authentic Bangladeshi cuisine.

VisitBritain/Sam Barker

Camden Market

This eclectic collection of punk-like fashion and clothes for every subculture, includes vintage shops and bric-a-brac emporia is firmly a favourite with visitors.

Gauthier Soho

One of the world’s first fine-dining restaurants to go 100% vegan, this acclaimed spot is inspired by fine French cuisine.

Silo, Hackney

A zero waste restaurant choosing local ingredients that generate no waste.

AlternativeLDN

Learn about street art through AlternativeLDN’s London tour, then have a go yourself.

The Culpeper, Shoreditch

Housed in Shoreditch, surround yourself with colourful flora, indulge in homegrown veggies, and take in the impressive London skyline from this rooftop oasis.

The Culpeper

Explore a Great British icon of luxury at Harrods, and discover more than 330 departments over seven floors.

Battersea Power Station

A one stop destination for shopping, food and drink, entertainment and views over the River Thames.

Vogue Fabrics

With film screenings, stand-up comedy, club nights and cabaret, this Dalston venue celebrates all things LGBTQIA+.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Colours Hoxton

Located in vibrant Shoreditch, this cocktail bar and live music venue hosts a fun-filled ‘drag brunch’ every Saturday.

The Crown Tour of London

You’ve admired London’s royal landmarks on screen – now explore them in person on this Crown-based walking tour.

VisitBritain/Aurélie Four/@LeCorgi

Leave the real world behind, and immerse yourself in a mind-clearing, tension-soothing soak in a weightlessness pool.

Float Works

The Lost Estate

Five-star dining, live performance and craft cocktails. Step into an unforgettable immersive experience by master world-builders.

Hanson Leatherby

London, England

Featured things to do

A sleepover at London Zoo

Stay overnight with the animals, get a private evening tour of your favourite wild beasts, eat dinner within a whisker of a lion and sleep among the cacophony of baboons and parrots.

Discover London’s Pride festival as it retraces its original route from 1972 through Hyde Park, Piccadilly and Trafalgar Square.

Secret Adventures

Kayak the Thames by moonlight

Kayak on the Thames and see London’s iconic landmarks - quite literally in a different light. See landmarks like the Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s, Bank Side and Tower Bridge all light up.

Christmas festivities

London glows with twinkling Christmas lights, bustling shops, ice rinks and seasonal theatre performances each Christmas. Visit the capital city to get a taste for the festivities.

Places to stay in London

Notting hill.

Stroll along the brightly painted houses, the buzzing cafés and pubs and visit its famous market in this, the home to one of the world’s most iconic festivals - The Notting Hill Carnival.

Explore the super central, trendy, all night buzz to Soho, find cafes, bars, restaurants and ice cream parlour here. It’s a playful and buzzing spot all the time, and shoulders China Town.

Stay in this leafy and affluent part of London that has a great bars and delis, restaurants and its home to London’s green lungs - Hampstead Heath. And of course, you can grab one of best views here - Primrose Hill.

Explore nearby

From ice-cream parlours to sea food festivals, the ‘Garden of England’ is meant for discovery.

VisitBritain/Dipyourtoesin

South Downs

Discover epic trails, rivers to kayak, castles to conquer and wild woods to explore.

VisitBritain/Nadir Khan

A quirky seaside city filled with diverse cuisine, vintage shopping and adrenaline fuelled adventure.

VisitBritain/i360

Just an hour by train from London and you’re in the city of dreaming spires.

VisitBritain/Jess Barfield

Lovers of The Crown can wrap themselves in royalty as this town is about as regal as it gets.

Royal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2022

Getting to London

The capital is served by six international airports , including London Heathrow and Gatwick, with direct and connecting routes to destinations all over the world (shop for Heathrow Express tickets and Stansted Express tickets here). Travelling by train is an eco-friendlier option and the capital offers 12 major stations , including Waterloo, Euston and Paddington. St Pancras International is the city’s Eurostar hub, with multiple direct connections to Europe.

Getting around

London is incredibly well served by public transport, much of which runs late and through the night. Take your pick from the Tube  (shop for a London visitor Oyster card , London Day Travelcard or a Group Day London Travelcard ), trams , buses and boats, or the IFS Cloud Cable Car  for a different perspective of London’s skyline. All services and numerous stations are wheelchair accessible. Alternatively, grab a Santander Cycle from one of hundreds of docking stations around the capital – you can bike around the city from as little as £2.

Follow #London

Want to know more?

Check out Visit London for top insider tips and travel inspirations

City of London

• 1.1 Tourist information
• 2.1 From the airport
• 2.2 By tube
• 2.3 On foot
• 2.4 By train
• 2.5 By boat
• 3 Get around
• 4.1 Landmarks
• 4.2 Churches, graveyards and open spaces
• 4.3 Museums and galleries
• 4.4 Other points of interest
• 5.1 Bus tours
• 7.2 Mid-range
• 7.3 Splurge
• 8.1.1 EC1 north east city
• 8.1.2 EC2 north west city
• 8.1.3 EC3 south west city
• 8.1.4 EC4 south east city
• 9.2 Mid-range
• 9.3 Splurge
• 11.1 Health

The City of London , also known as the City , or the Square Mile (after its approximate size), is the area of London that originally lay within the ancient city walls. This independent part of Central London is known for its history and heritage, so is a must for anyone wishing to explore and understand London.

Understand [ edit ]

Although greater London grew from this area, the official City of London itself has barely changed its borders in centuries and still follows the line of the old city walls to a great degree. The walls around the city, built by the Romans, have largely disappeared but several vestiges are still visible (notably outside the Museum of London; just near the Tower of London; and running part of the way down Noble Street) and various place names and streets hint at their prior existence. Locations such as Aldgate, Bishopsgate, Ludgate and Moorgate are the sites of old gates in the city walls.

The City of London is not a London borough (laws applying to London must define the city as "all London boroughs and the City of London") and has an ancient and unusual local governance, with rights and privileges greater than those of anywhere else in the United Kingdom . The local authority is the City of London Corporation and the chief position is the Lord Mayor. Whilst the rest of London has the Metropolitan Police, the City of London has its own police force.

The City of London does not include Tower Bridge or the Tower of London (they are in the London borough of Tower Hamlets ), but Tower Bridge is owned and operated by the City Corporation. A number of bridges over the River Thames connect the City with Southwark and the two oldest of them, London Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge, are unusual in that the City of London's boundaries include the whole span of the bridge (the border otherwise runs along the middle of the Thames). Small statues of dragons (sometimes described as griffins), symbols of the City Corporation, mark the boundary of the City on several roads.

The City is the world's leading centre of international finance. In British parlance, the City often refers to the financial sector, just as Americans might refer to Wall Street . This area contains 255 foreign banks, which is more than any other financial centre. It is also home to the Bank of England and houses other institutions such as Lloyd's and the London Stock Exchange. Every weekday approximately 300,000 workers come into the City to work in small and large business and financial institutions.

The City has a very small resident population of approximately 10,000 people. This means the City is very different on a weekend compared to a weekday.

Time your visit . The City is at its busiest during the week thanks to the large influx of workers. On the weekend the City is quieter with pockets of bustling activity – such as the areas around the Tower of London, Liverpool Street and St Paul’s, including the new shopping centre "One New Change" – and not all shops and restaurants are open. This means the weekend is a good time to visit if you want to walk at your own pace, admiring the architecture and character of the streets and buildings. You may also come across the filming of a TV advert, TV programme or even a film at this time.

Tourist information [ edit ]

• City of London visitor information website
• 51.513029 -0.098893 1 City Information Centre , St. Paul's Churchyard, EC4M 8BX ( tube: St Paul's    CEN   ), ☏ +44 20 7332-1456 . F Sa 10AM-4PM, closed Su-Th .  

The City Information Centre is London's only official tourist information venue. It offers brochures, guides, tickets, maps and more for visitors to the City, and is staffed by a multilingual team. The City Corporation's 'Things to Do' pages also contain information for visitors, including lists of attractions, events, and walking tours.

Get in [ edit ]

From the airport [ edit ]

• Heathrow Airport is at the south-western end of the Piccadilly line. At Hammersmith station, you can change to the District line, which takes you to the City.
• Gatwick Airport has a direct Thameslink service to Blackfriars. Alternatively there are Southern Rail services to London Victoria . Victoria station has District and Circle line connections to Monument station.
• London City Airport is directly connected to Bank via the Docklands Light Railway (DLR).
• London Stansted Airport is directly connected to London Liverpool Street station via the Stansted Express.

By tube [ edit ]

The City of London has many Tube stops and stations, all part of Zone 1.

On foot [ edit ]

The City's small and compact nature means travelling on foot is a great way to get around – most attractions are within a short walk of each other. Walking can also help you find many of the City's hidden gems as long as you deviate from the main roads and explore the many alleys and courtyards. The street pattern can be quite chaotic in some parts (being medieval and unplanned) and there are many fun shortcuts and routes that take you away from main roads. However, you can quite easily get lost and miss out interesting features if you're new to the City. Buy and bring a detailed map, or pick up a free one from the City Information Centre!

By train [ edit ]

All are also Tube stations except City Thameslink and Fenchurch Street.

• 51.5116 -0.103 13 Blackfriars . (from Gatwick and Luton airports)  
• c2c services to south Essex: Basildon , Southend-on-Sea , Tilbury and Shoeburyness.
• c2c services to East London: East Ham, Barking and Upminster (though the TfL fare calculator suggests it's slightly cheaper to take the District line from Tower Hill for those destinations.)
• Greater Anglia services to East England: Hertford , Norwich , Ipswich , Colchester , Chelmsford , Southend-on-Sea and Cambridge .
• Elizabeth line offers a 6 tph service to Shenfield . As well as services to Heathrow Airport and Reading via London Paddington .
• London Overground services to Chingford, Cheshunt and Enfield Town.

By boat [ edit ]

An increasingly popular way of travelling through London, by tourists and residents, is by boat on the Thames. The City has two piers from which regular services operate to and from:

Get around [ edit ]

As with the rest of central London, the City is served by a dense network of underground lines and bus routes. The tube lines that run through the City are the Central, Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan and Northern Lines as well as the Docklands Light Railway. Bus route 15 has some of its route in the City. You can ride aboard a double-decker bus from the Tower of London, west to St Paul's Cathedral, and then down Ludgate Hill and Fleet Street towards the West End , where the route terminates at Trafalgar Square. This can be a very rewarding way to see the City, as the route passes a number of sites of interest. This service functions as a shorter version of the standard bus route 15 and the usual TfL fares are used on it.

However, since the City is only around a square mile in area, it is often quicker, easier and cheaper to walk. The Thames Path passes through the City, following the River Thames from the Temple in the west to the Tower of London in the east. A particularly unique way to get around the City is the City of London Pedway Scheme . In the years following the Blitz, several pedestrian walkways were routed around the City to help reduce the number of pedestrians making crossings at grade with cars (though often to the benefit of the car, rather than the pedestrian). While the scheme was ended in the 1980s, many of the Pedways remain and provide an interesting perspective on the City.

See [ edit ]

The City sustained a great deal of damage from German bombing during the 'Blitz' of World War II , so there are far fewer older buildings than one might expect from so ancient a settlement. The Great Fire of London in 1666 also fairly comprehensively destroyed the City's medieval building stock. Nonetheless, many interesting older buildings remain, including the domed St. Paul's Cathedral (heroically saved by firefighters when it was bombed during the Second World War), 19th-century buildings at Leadenhall, Smithfield, and Spitalfields, the Gothic -style Guildhall, many monuments (including one built to remember the Great Fire of London), and the Temple Inns of Court. Remarkably, the City also retains its medieval street pattern, which you do not find so clearly preserved in other large British city centres. You will find many narrow streets, passages, alleys and courtyards between the main thoroughfares.

Landmarks [ edit ]

• 51.5143 -0.0889 1 Bank of England ( The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street ) ( tube: Bank    W&C     NOR     CEN   ). See also: Bank of England Museum .  

Churches, graveyards and open spaces [ edit ]

The City of London, considering its small size, has a huge number of churches in its area. Some, but by no means all, are listed below.

Museums and galleries [ edit ]

Other points of interest [ edit ]

Thanks to the City's association with banking and finance, the City offers some of the most fascinating modern architecture in London. A tour of London's financial institutions and markets is very worthwhile, even if you're not an investment banker. The bad news is that very few of the buildings are open to the public, although some do have "open weekends" at certain times of the year. The annual Open House Weekend – usually held on the third weekend in September, is when many of London's most famous buildings (including many of those in the City) are open for public tours.

• 51.51836 -0.09293 30 Blitz Plaque , Fore St ( set in the wall of Roman House ). The first of tens of thousands of bombs to hit London in World War II fell here in 1940.  

Do [ edit ]

• Climb to the top of St Paul's Cathedral or The Monument to get excellent views over the financial heart of London.
• Take the lift to the rooftop terrace at One New Change to have a view of St. Paul's Cathedral.
• Barbican Architecture Tour ( starts at the Advance Ticket desk, Silk St entrance ). Tu 2PM; W 4PM; Th 7PM; Sa Su 2PM & 4PM . 90-minute tour of the beautifully ugly brutalist site. £10.50 .  
• Digital Revolution , Barbican Centre , ☏ +44 20 7638-8891 . Th 11AM–11PM; F–W 11AM–8PM . An exhibition of digital art and creativity, including film, music and games, and the effect of technology on the arts. Runs until 14 September. £12.50 standard admission; £10.50 concessions; £8.50 students .  
• The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier , Art Gallery ( Level three of the Barbican Centre ), ☏ +44 20 7638-8891 . Sa–W 10AM–6PM; Th–F 10AM–9PM . An exhibition devoted to the French couturier featuring over a hundred garments and costumes. Runs until 25 August. £14.50 standard admission; £12.50 concessions; £9 students .  

• London Walks . Consider going along on one of the many excellent guided tours of the City, often with an evocative theme for example ghosts or Jack the Ripper.  
• Tower of London Ice Rink ( tube: Tower Hill    DIS     CIR   ). over the winter holiday .  
• Walk the London Wall

Bus tours [ edit ]

• London Night Tour , Departing from Coach stop 3, Bulleid Way ( tube: Victoria    DIS     CIR     VIC   ), ☏ +44 20 7630-2028 . £18 adult ticket .  
• See London by Night , ☏ +44 20 7183-4744 , [email protected] . £15 adult ticket .  

Buy [ edit ]

Although not known for the best shopping opportunities in London (these are securely held by the West End), the City nonetheless has an above average shopping offer, with plenty of high-street names and many smaller independent shops. Lunchtime hours can be very busy, as this is the time when workers shop in their thousands, so it's worth considering avoiding the crowds by visiting at a quieter time. Again, at weekends many outlets may be closed. A number of retail venues stand out:

Places to buy food and any general household goods you may need:

• 51.5205 -0.0975 5 Tesco Express , 131 Aldersgate St, EC1A 4JQ . Small, local branch of the supermarket  
• 51.5153 -0.0971 6 Tesco Express , Unit 5, Cheapside, EC2V 6BJ . Small, local branch of the supermarket  
• 51.5147 -0.0992 7 Sainsbury's Local , 10 Paternoster Square, EC4M 7DX . Small, local branch of the supermarket. In a pedestrian square near St. Paul's Cathedral.  

Eat [ edit ]

There are a great many bars, coffee houses, cafes, restaurants and pubs, mainly catering for City workers during the week (and therefore possibly closed at the weekend). Sit down restaurants in this district tend to be expensive and aimed towards business lunches. The vast number of take-away places though are reasonably priced. During the week (in good weather) you can find some outdoor eating areas in places, such as on Walbrook.

Budget [ edit ]

• 51.511151 -0.07567 1 De Vine , 19 Vine St . ( updated May 2022 )
• 51.509642 -0.081238 2 Assenheims 56 , 19-21 Great Tower St . South American cuisine ( updated May 2022 )
• 51.511632 -0.075124 3 Lazio , 42-47 Minories . Italian cuisine ( updated May 2022 )
• 51.51448 -0.085068 4 Piada , 4 Adam's Ct, Old Broad St . Temporarily closed as of May 2022 ( updated May 2022 )
• 51.512043 -0.082449 5 Earls Sandwiches , 7 Cullum St . ( updated May 2022 )
• 51.519757 -0.084578 6 HOP Vietnamese , 2 Finsbury Avenue Square . M–F 11:30AM–3PM . Local chain with several branches in the City. £7–10 (Oct 2020) . ( updated May 2022 )
• 51.513241 -0.101473 7 Falafel House , 48 Carter Ln . ( updated May 2022 )
• 51.514987 -0.098571 8 Pilpel , 5 Queens Head Passage, Paternoster Row . A falafel restaurant. ( updated May 2022 )

Mid-range [ edit ]

• 51.5188 -0.08017 9 Eataly London , 135 Bishopsgate, EC2M 3YD , ☏ +44 20 4538 0271 , [email protected] . M–F 7AM–11PM, Sa 9AM–11PM, Su 9AM–10PM . An Italian food hall and eatery opened in 2021 along the lines of the Turin original. It's east side of Liverpool St station. ( updated May 2022 )
• 51.5176 -0.08 10 Polo Bar , 176 Bishopsgate, EC2M 4NQ ( tube: Liverpool Street    MET     CIR     H&C     CEN   ), ☏ +44 20 7283-4889 . 24H . An unpretentious cafe serving fried breakfasts and similar basic food 24 hr a day, and a great place for a late snack after you leave the Eat & Drink. Liverpool St is a safe area anyway but you cannot get safer than this for a late night meal, as at night you'll often see police from the nearby City of London police station. There are no toilets, however, so you need to use those at nearby Liverpool St Station. ( updated May 2022 )
• 51.5146 -0.0929 12 Smiths of Smithfields , 67-77 Charterhouse Street, EC1M 6HJ ( tube: Farringdon    MET     CIR     H&C     ELI   ), ☏ +44 20 7251-7950 . M-F 7AM-4:45PM; Sa Su 9:30AM-4:45PM . Smiths of Smithfield is a Grade II listed four-floor restaurant serving great British food. ( updated May 2022 )
• 51.5193 -0.1031 13 Comptoir Gascon , 63 Charterhouse St, EC1M 6HJ , ☏ +44 20 7608-0851 , [email protected] . Tu–Sa noon–2:30PM (bistro), 6:30PM–10PM (dinner) . Temporarily closed as of May 2022 . French restaurant and delicatessen.  
• 51.5194 -0.1026 14 Smiths of Smithfield , 67-77 Charterhouse St, EC1M 6HJ , ☏ +44 20 7251-7950 . M–F noon–3PM 6PM–11PM; Sa 6PM–11PM . Grade II listed four-floor restaurant in Smithfield Market. Main meal from £16 .  
• 51.5187 -0.093 15 Wood Street Bar and Restaurant , 53 Fore St, EC2Y 5EL , ☏ +44 20 7256-6990 . M–F 11AM–11:30PM; Sa closed; Su noon–5:30PM . Real ale, nice food and a relaxed atmosphere. £6–14 (£12.50 for cheese burger & chips) .  
• 51.519 -0.1004 16 Apulia , 50 Long Lane, EC1A 9EJ , ☏ +44 20 7600-8107 . M–F noon–2:45PM 6PM–10:30PM; Sa 6PM–10:30PM . Italian restaurant. ( updated May 2022 )
• 51.515 -0.1045 17 To A Tea , 14 Farringdon St, EC4A 4AB , ☏ +44 20 7248-3498 , [email protected] . M–F 7AM–7PM . Tearoom.  

Splurge [ edit ]

• 51.518 -0.0793 18 Boisdale of Bishopsgate , Swedeland Court, 202 Bishopsgate, EC2M 4NR ( tube: Liverpool Street    MET     CIR     H&C     CEN   ), ☏ +44 20 7283-1763 , [email protected] . M-F . A rather grand Scottish restaurant which has jazz evenings and offers a cigar bar. ( updated May 2022 )
• 51.516177 -0.080972 20 Duck and Waffle , Heron Tower, 110 Bishopgate, EC2N 4AY ( 2 min east of Liverpool St station ), ☏ +44 20 3640-7310 . Daily 24hr . All day dining on the 40th floor of the Heron Tower. Popular in the very late night for a bite after going out and waiting to watch the sunrise over the rest of London. Mains £20-50 .  
• 51.51904 -0.08633 21 Angler , 3 South Place, EC2M 2AF ( on the rooftop of South Place Hotel ), ☏ +44 20 3215 1260 , [email protected] . W 6PM-9:30PM; Th F noon-2:30PM, 6PM-9:30PM; Sa noon-3PM, 6PM-9:30PM; Su noon-3PM . One Michelin-starred British seafood restaurant with views over the City. Tasting menu £100 / £170 with wine pairing. À la carte mains £24-£30 (April 2021) . ( updated May 2022 )

Drink [ edit ]

If you're spending more than a few days in London, visiting the area at night (especially around 10PM-11PM) can provide a decidedly un-touristy atmosphere. You'll see part of London life that few people who do not live or work in the City experience, and if you have the confidence to introduce yourself you may even get into conversation with local workers out for a late drink – the area is enough off the tourist route that you will be something of a novelty. Thursday and Friday are naturally busier but at the same time a bit less friendly; earlier in the week is quieter and you have more chance of meeting locals just out for a drink.

Some pubs in the City are not open on Saturday or Sunday.

The City has some of the oldest traditional pubs in London, and a host of newer pubs and bars. This list is by no means exhaustive, but there are plenty of online guides available to search for somewhere specific to your tastes.

Pubs [ edit ]

Ec1 north east city [ edit ].

• 51.51974 -0.10213 2 The Hope , 94 Cowcross St, London EC1M 6BH , ☏ +44 20 7253 8525 . 6AM-11PM . Grade II listed pub  
• 51.5195 -0.0992 4 Old Red Cow , 71-72 Long Lane, EC1A 9EJ ( tube: Barbican    MET     CIR     H&C   ), ☏ +44 20 7726-2595 , [email protected] . M–Th noon–11PM; F–Sa noon-midnight; Su noon–10:30PM . Small pub that serves real ale and craft beer from both major and local breweries.  
• 51.518 -0.0774 5 Eat & Drink , 11 Artillery Passage E1 7LJ ( tube: Liverpool Street    MET     CEN     CIR     H&C   ), ☏ +44 20 7377-8964 . M-F 'til 2AM . A small and fairly ordinary Chinese restaurant by day, this turns into a heaving karaoke bar in the evenings. One of the most reliable places near Liverpool St to get a drink after midnight! £3.40 small can lager .  

EC2 north west city [ edit ]

• 51.5181 -0.0798 6 Dirty Dick's , 202 Bishopsgate, EC2M 4NR ( tube: Liverpool Street    MET     CEN     CIR     H&C   ), ☏ +44 20 7283-5888 . M-Th 11AM-midnight, F Sa 11AM-1AM, Su 11AM-10:30PM . One of the better known pubs (although definitely no tourist trap) near Liverpool St, supposedly named after a Georgian dandy who let himself go on the death of his fiancée. £3.20 pint .  
• 51.5169 -0.081 8 White Hart , 121 Bishopsgate, EC2M 3TL ( tube: Liverpool Street    MET     CEN     CIR     H&C   ). An unpretentious City pub, slightly cheaper than most. Unusually for the area, has a few tables outside where you can watch the world go by in summer or cower under a heat lamp while smoking in winter. £2.80 pint .  

EC3 south west city [ edit ]

• 51.50953 -0.08079 10 The Hung Drawn & Quartered , 26-27 Great Tower St, EC3R 5AQ ( tube: Tower Hill    CIR     DIS   ), ☏ +44 20 7626 6123 . noon-10PM . Fullers Pub ( updated Oct 2021 )
• 51.5126 -0.0833 11 Lamb Tavern , 10-12 Leadenhall Market, EC3V 1LR ( tube: Bank    W&C     NOR     CEN   / Liverpool Street    MET     CEN     CIR     H&C   ), ☏ +44 20 7626-2454 . M-F 10AM-11PM . One of several pubs in Leadenhall Market where you can listen to insurance brokers from nearby Lloyd's talk business. £3.60 pint .  
• 51.51107 -0.08476 12 The Ship , 11 Talbot Ct, EC3V 0BP ( tube: Monument    CIR     DIS   ), ☏ +44 20 7929 3903 . noon-10PM (closed Sa Su) . A Nicolson's pub rebuilt after it was burnt down during the fire of London. ( updated Oct 2021 )
• 51.5144 -0.08 13 The Sterling , 30 Saint Mary Axe, EC3A 8BF ( The Gherkin, tube: Liverpool Street    MET     CEN     CIR     H&C   ), ☏ +44 20 7929-3641 , [email protected] . Daily 10AM–10PM . A central bar that resides in the heart of the Gherkin. Catch your breath from the bustle of the City and enjoy a bit of al fresco dining. Food and drink available. ( updated May 2021 )

EC4 south east city [ edit ]

• 51.5109 -0.08925 15 The Bolthole , 2a Suffolk Ln, EC4R 0AT , ☏ +44 20 7626 0996 . ( updated Mar 2021 )
• 51.51226 -0.09273 17 The Sugar Loaf , 65 Cannon St, EC4N 5AA ( tube: Mansion House    DIS     CIR   ). Pub that is popular with City workers. You will often find a crowd spilling out into the adjacent pedestrian area, particularly on Tuesdays-Thursdays when workers tend to come into the office more.  

Bars [ edit ]

• 51.51111 -0.07797 18 Savage Garden , Floor 12, 7 Pepys St, EC3N 4AF ( A top Double Tree by Hilton ), ☏ +44 20 7709 1044 . Cocktail bar with 360 views of London ( updated Mar 2021 )
• 51.5176 -0.0938 19 El Vino , 3 Bastion Highwalk (125 London Wall), EC2Y 5AP ( along one of the raised walkways, not at ground level ), ☏ +44 20 7600-6377 . Wine bar.  
• 51.5201 -0.1019 20 Vinoteca , 7 St John St, EC1M 4AA , ☏ +44 20 7253-8786 , [email protected] . M–Sa noon–11PM . Wine bar and shop.  

Clubs [ edit ]

Sleep [ edit ].

• 51.5256 -0.0829 1 The Hoxton, Shoreditch , 81 Great Eastern St ( tube: Old Street    NOR   ), ☏ +44 20 7550-1000 , [email protected] . 210 room hotel, with some cheaper "shoebox" rooms. From £60 web purchase . ( updated Dec 2017 )
• 51.5131 -0.1004 2 YHA London St Paul's ( St Paul's Youth Hostel ), 36 Carter Ln, EC4V 5AB ( tube: St Paul's ), ☏ +44 8707 705764 , [email protected] . Small hostel converted from one of the City's oldest buildings. Cheap for Central London accommodation, range of room sizes, basic facilities. Dorm from £18.95 including breakfast. 6 rooms for 2 people and 3 singles .  
• 51.5106 -0.0796 3 Apex City of London Hotel , 1 Seething Lane, EC3N 4AX , ☏ +44 131 441-0440 , [email protected] . Located in the City close to the Tower of London. 179 luxury bedrooms and suites, restaurant, bar and gym. Free fast speed Wi-fi. From £129 .  
• 51.5139 -0.1089 4 Apex Temple Court Hotel , 1-2 Serjeants' Inn, Fleet Street, EC4Y 1LL , ☏ +44 131 441-0440 , [email protected] . 184 spacious luxury bedrooms and suites, bar, restaurant, executive lounge and gym. Free fast speed Wi-fi. From £151 .  
• 51.5116 -0.0931 5 Queen Street St Paul's Apartments ( Citybase Apartments ), Queen Street, EC4R 1BR , ☏ +44 20 3701-4966 , [email protected] . These serviced apartments are situated in the centre of the City area of London, with Walbrook, Bank and Monument being a short walk away. The neighbouring streets are filled with cafes, restaurants and local shops, ensuring your stay is both enjoyable and convenient. From £120 .  
• 51.516 -0.0881 6 Apex London Wall Hotel , 7-9 Copthall Avenue, EC2R 7NJ , ☏ +44 131 441-0440 , [email protected] . Close to the Bank of England and Liverpool Street Station. 89 luxury bedrooms and suites, bar, restaurant and gym. Free fast speed Wi-fi. From £151 .  
• 51.5173 -0.0809 7 Andaz London Liverpool Street ( a concept by Hyatt ), 40 Liverpool St , ☏ +44 20 7961-1234 , fax : +44 20 7961-1235 , [email protected] . A concept casual luxury hotel. No two bedrooms the same. Features iPod rentals and 5 restaurants. From £120 .  
• 51.5123 -0.0691 8 SACO Apartments – Aldgate , 99 Leman St , ☏ +44 20 7269-9930 , [email protected] . A grade II listed Victorian building. A great alternative to hotels for those travelling on business. From £120 .  
• 51.5158 -0.0776 9 Travelodge London Liverpool St , 1 Harrow Pl ( tube: Liverpool Street    MET     CEN     CIR     H&C     ELI   ), ☏ +44 8719 846190 . £80 .  
• 51.5102 -0.0767 10 CitizenM Tower of London , 40 Trinity Square EC3N 4DJ ( above tube: Tower Hill    CIR     DIS   ), ☏ +44 20 3519 4830 . Slick modern hotel, try for a room with a view of Tower of London. No dogs. B&B double £150 . ( updated Sep 2020 )
• 51.5179 -0.1186 11 Citadines Holborn-Covent Garden London , 94-99 High Holborn, WC1V 6LF , ☏ +44 20 7395-8800 , fax : +44 20 7395-8799 , [email protected] . Located a short walk from Covent Garden. Each air-conditioned apartment houses a bathroom with a separate toilet, a separate kitchen area and Internet access. Daily rates starts from £209 .  
• 51.5208 -0.1004 12 Malmaison London , Charterhouse Sq ( tube: Barbican    MET     CIR     H&C   or Farringdon    MET     CIR     H&C     ELI   ), ☏ +44 20 7012-3700 , [email protected] . Great location with attentive staff.  
• 51.5122 -0.1046 13 Crowne Plaza London - The City , 19 New Bridge St, EC4V 6DB , ☏ +44 871-9429190 .  
• 51.511306 -0.093845 14 Vintry & Mercer , 19-20 Garlick Hill, EC4V 2AU , ☏ +44 20 3908 8088 , [email protected] . Check-in: 14:00 , check-out: noon . ( updated Jul 2020 )

Connect [ edit ]

The City of London is covered by The City WiFi Network . Free and unlimited access for all users.

The Barbican also has WiFi.

Cope [ edit ]

Health [ edit ].

Visitors to the UK are entitled to free emergency treatment on the NHS. However, you may be charged for further hospital care, depending on the nature of the care and your country of origin. Check the NHS website if you need to know more. The nearest medical services are, in ascending order of severity:

• 51.5185 -0.0882 2 Boots , 143 Moorgate, EC2M 6XQ , ☏ +44 20 7920-9347 . M–F 7AM–8PM; Sa Su closed .  
• 51.5228 -0.0977 3 S Chauhan Chemist , 36 Goswell Road, EC1M 7AA , ☏ +44 20 7253-9691 . M–F 8AM–6PM; Sa Su closed .  
• 51.5141 -0.0933 4 Boots , 104 Cheapside, EC2V 6DN , ☏ +44 20 7248-9340 . M–F 7AM–7PM; Sa 9AM–6PM; Su closed .  
• 51.5037 -0.0871 5 Guy's Hospital Urgent Care Centre , Tabard Annexe, Great Maze Pond, SE1 9RT , ☏ +44 20 3049-8970 . M–Su 8AM–8PM (last patient arrival at 7PM) . For treatment of minor injuries like sprains, broken bones and bites.  
• 51.5185 -0.0582 6 Royal London Hospital Accident & Emergency , Whitechapel, E1 1BB , ☏ +44 20 3416-5000 . For serious, life-threatening injuries.  

As anywhere in the UK, 999 is a multi-purpose emergency phone number. See United_Kingdom#Connect for additional numbers.

Go next [ edit ]

Go south, crossing the River Thames via the Millennium Bridge, to access the central part of South Bank , home to the Tate Modern gallery and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. Or head west down Fleet Street then Strand towards Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square or to Westminster , home of the British government and royal family.

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• UNESCO tag to be fixed
• Previous Destinations of the month
• Has custom banner
• Has map markers
• Airport listing
• Has mapframe
• Maps with non-default size
• Maps with GPX indicator
• Do listing with no coordinates
• Has routebox
• Guide districts
• Guide articles
• District articles
• Has Geo parameter
• All destination articles
• Pages with maps

Navigation menu

Best Things to do in the City of London: An Insider’s Area Guide

Love This? Save and Share!

This is where it all began. London’s oldest area, The City of London ranges from the base of Tower Hill to Temple Bar – in it you’ll find Roman ruins, age-old churches and mediaeval guilds but also gleaming skyscrapers and classy cocktail bars. 

In other words, there’s so much more to The City than just being London’s financial district.

Never is the history of London clearer than on a walk through the city. A simple stroll will take you from the ruins of the Roman sections of London wall , to historic churches built in the aftermath of The Great Fire of London standing shoulder to shoulder with glassy sky-high contemporary constructions. 

It’s a fascinating jumble of London throughout the ages, restricted to an area a little over a square mile. 

Don’t think The City of London’s appeal is confined to poking into the past – not only is this the hub of London’s financial sector, it’s where you’ll find some of the city’s best bars and restaurants too. 

It’s easy to think of The City as a bit fuddy duddy – but scratch beneath the surface and you’ll discover independent distilleries, local theatres, art galleries and an area that very much has its finger on the pulse, as well as some incredible history .

Top Picks for The City of London

What to do, where to drink and where to eat….

Have You Spotted The Golden Boy of Pye Corner?

The History of London’s Roman Amphitheatre and the Unlikely Story of How it was Discovered

Lord Mayor’s Show: A Guide to Visiting the City’s 800-Year-Old Tradition

London’s Wobbly Millennium Bridge is Closed For Urgent Repairs

The Grizzly History of the Aldgate Pump of Death

Treasures of Gold and Silver Wire: A New Exhibition with Some Seriously Stunning Threads

Time to Discover: The Barbican Centre

London Wall: A Walk Through Old London (+ Map)

Bartholomew Fair – A 900-Year-Old Street Party – is Being Revived in London This Month

Barbican Beautification: Phase Two of the Barbican’s Revamp is Given the Go Ahead

The Hidden Secrets of One of London’s Oldest Churches: St Bartholomew the Great

The Hidden Secrets of The Royal Exchange

St. Paul’s Will Be Transformed with a Massive New Public Square – Here’s Everything You Need to Know

The Hidden Secrets of Blackfriars Bridge 

Discovering Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park: East London’s Lesser-Known Magnificent Seven Cemetery

A Wes Anderson Pop Up is Coming to London!

A Guide to 8 Beautifully Historic City of London Churches

The Bloomin’ Beautiful Garden at 120: Explore London’s Biggest Public Rooftop Garden

Leadenhall Market: 700 Years of History and A Touch of Harry Potter Magic

The Incredible History of the City of London: The World’s Longest Continuous Democracy

Discovering the Inns of Court and London’s Ancient Legal History

Things to do in the city of london.

Delving into the unmissable spots in The Square Mile.

St Paul’s Cathedral 

St Paul’s Cathedral is one of London’s most important landmarks – that much is a given, but that doesn’t do it justice. 

Famously designed by Christopher Wren after the old cathedral was burnt down in The Great Fire of London, the spire of St Paul’s seems to pop up wherever you are in The City. 

Inside, it’s just as spectacular – a riot of gilt and soaring archways that will etch itself on your brain. 

Buy your ticket

Barbican 

Love or hate the architecture (for the record, I’m on the love side), there’s no doubt that The Barbican is one of the city’s cultural hubs. 

Theatre? Check. Cinemas? Check? Concert halls? Check. Art gallery…. I could go on. 

That’s all before you get to the architecture – Brutalist, beautiful and best explored on one of their specific architecture tours. 

Pop into the Conservatory (open specific Sundays) to see its striking collision of Amazon rainforest and concrete structures.

London Mithraeum 

It’s no secret that I love the London Mithraeum . 

It says everything you need to know about The City that there’s a secret Roman temple buried underneath the shiny Bloomberg offices. 

Book a (free) ticket for the immersive temple experience. I won’t give the game away but there’s moody lighting, chanting and it’s all a bit bonkers and wonderful. 

St Dunstan in the East 

St Dunstan in the East is one of London’s most unusual (and beautiful) gardens . 

Set in the ruins of a medieval church that was destroyed by The Blitz, it’s a peaceful haven in the centre of the Square Mile. 

Sky Garden 

The towering glass garden at the top of the Walkie Talkie building, Sky Garden is one heck of a beautiful spot. Though the garden itself is a sight, you’re really here for the views, which are some of London’s best. 

Shame it can be so tough to get in – though it’s free, access tickets book out well in advance, though I do drop you some hints for beating the system in my Guide to Visiting the Sky Garden . 

Leadenhall Market 

The poulters and fishmongers of the 14th century Leadenhall Market have long been replaced with upmarket shops and restaurants, but it still retains something special that keeps visitors coming back again and again. 

The ornate wrought-iron structure plays a large part: built in the Victorian times, the red and gold construction is one of The City’s finest.

Postman’s Park

One of London’s quirkier spots, there’s nothing particularly interesting about Postman’s Park at first glance…that is until you glance at the tiled shelter hidden in one corner of the park. 

This is the Watt’s Memorial to Heroic Self Sacrifice, filled with plaques commemorating the lives of Londoners who died doing heroic deeds. 

It’s a quiet, contemplative piece of greenery surrounded by the concrete jungle of the city and well worth a visit. 

London Wall 

We all know that the Romans loved a wall, and London (then Londinium) was no exception. The Romans built a wall around the City of London that was maintained until the 18th century. Remarkably, you can still see sections of the wall that date back to Roman times – head to Cooper’s Row for one such fragment. 

The Old Bailey 

Want to listen to something hair-raising? Go and listen to the trials at The Old Bailey, the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales. 

Many of the country’s most serious crimes are heard here – including that of the Kray Twins, The Yorkshire Ripper and Jeremy Thorpe – the former Liberal leader who was accused (but acquitted) of conspiracy to murder.  

Smithfield Market

You’ll need to get up early to catch Smithfield Market – London’s largest meat market – at its liveliest. By 8am the action has already dwindled to nearly nothing. 

Either way, the grand Victorian construction is worth gawping at.  

What you see today is just the tip of the iceberg of Horace Jones’ cathedral of iron and stone with many of the cavernous halls and a now defunct underground station closed to the public.  

Even more excitingly, West Smithfield is soon to become the new venue for the Museum of London. 

Museum of London 

As a city with so much history, it’s difficult to get a true sense of the narrative that saw London evolve from a sleepy backwater to the contemporary metropolis that we see today. Showcasing that narrative is exactly what the Museum of London sets out to do. 

Permanent exhibitions take you on a jaunt through time from the neolithic tools used in the area that was to become London, to London today. There’s even a full row of Victorian shops for you to explore. 

Walk the Old London Wall 

Did you know that in its earliest days, London was a walled city and that you can still see bits of the old London Wall in the City of London today? Well, you can. Even though the London Wall dates back to Roman times, it was maintained in part until the 18th century. Do the London Wall Walk and discover more.

The Monument 

The Monument to The Great Fire of London no longer soars above the rooftops of the surrounding area, but that doesn’t mean it’s not still worth a visit. 

Climb the 311 steps to the top for stellar views of the Thames, Shard and The City. 

Bank of England 

There’s not much to see inside the Bank of England, save for a relatively interesting museum with virtual tours and the chance to see every note issued by the Royal Mint since its formation.

Temple Bar Gate 

With a history that stretches back to the early days of The Square Mile and has been involved in numerous Royal ceremonies over the years, The Temple Bar Gate is one of the most interesting pieces of London’s history. 

That’s only compounded by the fact that where you’ll find it today in Paternoster Square isn’t the place you would have found it 150 years ago, and even its Victorian location was just temporary. 

The Wren-designed gate has been painstakingly shifted all over London. Today it seems to have found a more permanent home (we hope). Wherever it is, it’s definitely worth a look. 

Eating & Drinking in The City 

My favourite places to eat and drink in The Square Mile.

Oriole 

Oriole might not get as much press as it’s older sister Nightjar in Shoreditch – but you should take that as a good thing as it makes the possibility of nabbing a table that much higher. Art Deco and Fin de Siecle style come together with some of the best cocktails in town. Highly recommended. 

Whether you go for the views or the food, you won’t be disappointed – SUSHISAMBA has long been one of the capital’s hottest dining spots and there are no signs it will be giving up that mantle any time soon.

Perched on the 38th and 39th floors of the Salesforce Tower (previously the Heron Tower), it boasts some of the best views in the city.

That’s all before you indulge in the food – a unique mix of Brazilian, Peruvian and Japanese – which is as delicious as it is unusual. Kick things off with some Plantain Chips, segue onto a Salmon Ceviche or something sizzling from the Robata menu… but whatever you do, don’t miss the sushi.

City of London Distillery Bar

When it opened, the City of London Distillery was the first gin distillery to open in almost 200 years. To say that they’re passionate about gin is something of an understatement. I’d highly recommend their gin-making classes if that’s your thing, but their chic subterranean bar is lure enough. Expect the best G&T’s you can get your hands on, with other gin-based cocktails thrown in for good measure. 

Enoteca Rabezzana 

The City of London isn’t short on great wine bars – so when Enoteca Rabbezaana opened in 2015, some questioned what it could really bring to the table. 

Turns out the answer was… a lot. The extensive collection of over 120 wines is paired with some of the best Italian charcuterie and cheese you can get your hands on in London. 

Hawksmoor Guildhall 

During the noughties, Hawksmoor set about establishing itself as a shrine to which all London meat lovers should pay homage, a reputation that lasts to this day. What’s the big attraction? Grass-fed, dry aged beef and sustainably sourced seafood for starters – not to mention a cocktail list that always tempts you to have just one more. 

Duck & Waffle 

It’s difficult to remember a time when Duck & Waffle didn’t dominate The City of London’s dining scene – quite literally – it’s on the 40th floor after all. The menu is contemporary British with European touches, the view is fabulous and it all comes with the prices to match. 

Brigadiers 

There’s no quite putting your finger on Brigadiers . Inspired by the Indian mess bars where the army would socialise in days past, it’s an Indian barbecue restaurant, whisky bar and sports venue rolled up into one – and more elegant than any of those descriptions would suggest. Go with a fat wallet and an empty stomach. 

Sweetings 

Sweetings is the place you go when you want traditional British seafood with lashings of conservatism and not a hum of fusion food in sight. It’s a City classic for a reason – and, while it could be stuffy, isn’t. Go, if only to say you’ve dined in one of London’s classic eateries.

Club Gascon

If you want cooking that really strives for perfection, book yourself in for a meal at Michelin-starred Club Gascon . Their menu of contemporary French cooking takes the best of a very traditional cuisine and brings it shining into the modern age, then serves it up at the hands of a team of waiters commanding impeccable service. 

Shiro 

New (ish) kid on the City of London dining scene, Shiro comes to London as part of the Aqua Group and by way of Hong Kong. It was there they made a name for themselves serving up artful plates of crystal sushi – the japanese classic topped or wrapped in a chinese jelly that looks as pretty as can be

Angler 

If it’s seafood you’ve got on your mind, Shiro’s sushi is rivalled by one of the top fish restaurants in the City: Angler . Another Michelin-awarded restaurant, these guys serve up the very finest sustainable seafood from an ever changing menu and a top-floor spot at the luxury South Palace Hotel. Angler’s pricey, but worth every penny. 

Read Next: The Best Restaurants in the City of London

Top Shopping Spots

Pretty as the structure of Leadenhall Market is, that doesn’t stop it from being one of The City’s top shopping spots. The relatively extensive range of shops includes Barbour, wine merchants Bedales and Reiss. 

One New Change 

By far the largest shopping centre in The City of London, One New Change offers a diverse (if rather uninspiring) range of high street shops geared towards the upper end of the market. There’s a Friday Food Market to jazz things up and the Roof Terrace offers spectacular views of St Paul’s. 

Royal Exchange

Shopping centre is not the first thing that would spring to mind when you look at the grand edifice of the Royal Exchange – but they did things a little differently in the Victorian times when the current version of the building was designed. 

Inside, you’ll find a select variety of designer shops and a Fortnum & Mason Restaurant and Bar in the heart of the imposing building.

Places to Stay in the City of London 

The andaz london liverpool street.

Chic and Centrally Located

Located next to Liverpool Street Station, The Andaz is a stone’s throw from Shoreditch and The City’s best spots.

Check Availability

City Opulence

Five star opulence and city-boy chic meet at The Ned. There are ten restaurants and several more bars to keep you entertained.

Pan Pacific 

A touch of luxury 

With grand views, swimming pools and service to top the list of the best in London, you don’t get much more luxurious than a night at the Pan Pacific. 

Practical Tips for Exploring

• The City boasts plenty of history, but it is also home to some of London’s most iconic architecture from the past few decades. Check out The Gherkin, The Walkie Talkie and The Cheesegrater for a different take on things. 
• If you only drink in one bar, make it Oriole. Ensconced underneath Smithfield Market, it’s one of The City’s not so hidden gems. 
• Don’t venture into The City of London at the weekend – it’s dead and a lot of places are shut. Weekdays are hands-down the best time to explore. 

Map of The City of London

Read more london guides.

• The Ultimate Shoreditch Street Art Guide: 18 Unmissable Spots + Map
• 24 Cool Sunday Markets in London
• 2 Days in London Itinerary – The Insider’s Guide
• The Best Bars in London: The Dilettante’s Guide to Where to Drink in London Right Now

LET'S GET SOCIAL!

London x London is the insider’s guide to discovering the best of London.

We delve into the cool, interesting and quirky spots that make London such a dynamic city, telling you the best things to do, eat and drink along the way. 

Tired of the same old dull suggestions? Want to know where to find London’s secret bars, tastiest eats and weirdest finds? We provide practical guides that help you do just that.

Find Out More

Recently Published

• Eltham Palace: Discovering South London’s Gorgeous Art Deco Secret
• Staying At: The Laslett, Notting Hill Review
• Carreras Cigarette Factory: A Curious Reminder of London’s Egyptian Art Deco Craze

Explore London like a local - visit the City Information Centre for insider tips

The CIC is central London’s only official tourist information centre. Visitors are welcomed by our multi-lingual team of professional advisors.

Get multi-lingual advice. Book tickets. Make the most of your time in London.

The CIC’s advisors work tirelessly to provide visitors with advice and information on the City of London’s attractions and hidden gems as well as providing information on Greater London and other destinations across the country. 

The CIC is open 10am - 4pm every Friday and Saturday.

Content provided by City of London Corporation

• Find out more about the City of London Information Centre and plan your visit
• From hidden gems to iconic landmarks, discover all the City of London has to offer

Refine your search:

You may be interested in...

Go back in time and discover the original Roman City walls

Follow in the footsteps of Romans as you explore the history of the walls that protected the original City of London.

Location: London, Greater London

Explore the historic warship, HMS Belfast

Explore nine decks of amazing history, from the heavily protected Shell Rooms to the sights and sounds of the interactive Operations Room.

Location: The Queen's Walk, London

Take your loved one to the top of Greenwich at Up at The O2

The O2 offers a unique expedition over its famous roof for amazing 360° views of London, and is an experience worth sharing with your loved one.

Location: Greenwich, London

Explore Alexander Fleming's Laboratory

Discover the story of the father of penicillin in his lab in Paddington.

Location: Paddington, London

We've something we want to share

Want to receive travel tips and ideas by email?

VisitEngland would like to invite you to take part in a short survey about our website, it should take no more than a couple of minutes.

Go to the survey

To add items to favourites …

… you need to be logged in.

If you already have an account, log in.

Or register a new account

Access your account

• Find a Guide
• Walks & Tours
• Members Area

Discover Official Walks & Talks

We offer daily, weekly and monthly walks around the city of london .

Our daily walks run from the City Information Centre, just south of St Paul's. You need to book via Eventbrite to secure you place.  Note : the cut-off time for booking our daily walks is 21:00hrs the night before. If we don't have any bookings then the walk will not take place.

Our weekly walks have individual booking pages and earlier cut-off times, please see the individual listing.  

We've adde d 3 new walks for this season:

Secrets and Symbols, News from Fleet Street, and From Shakespeare to Oscar Wilde

Billingsgate Roman House and Baths open 

This unique site is now open for this season of tours.  Find out more.

Leadenhall Market: Beer, Bread and Beans!

This is a limited-edition, evening tour exploring the history of food and drink in and around the market in May and June.  Find out more

Private tours

If you'd like to organise your own walk , lecture or a virtual tour, then please use our  Find a Guide  section. If you're a member of an Arts Society or a U3A or other group we'd love to take you on a tour of the City. And if you're a company based in the City who'd like to organise a social event for your work colleagues, why not book a walk with us? 

If you've been on a walk recently we'd love to hear from you. Why not leave a review on our TripAdvisor  page? We've been awarded TripAdvisor's Travellers' Choice for 2023!

Secrets and Symbols Guided Walk: Tuesdays

Find out dates & details

From Shakespeare to Oscar Wilde Guided Walk: Fridays

News from Fleet Street Guided Walk: Sundays

The 'Old Bailey': Saturdays

Leadenhall Market - Beer, Bread and Beans!

Billingsgate Roman House and Baths Guided Tours: Saturdays

Guildhall: Monthly Tours

Smithfield Market Tours

Dr. Samuel Johnson Guided Walks: Twice Monthly

City Highlights Guided Walk: Mondays

Mansion House Guided Tours: Tuesdays

City in Spires - A Tour of Wren Churches: Tuesdays

In Charles Dickens' Footsteps: Wednesdays

Roman London Tour: Thurs & Sun

St Bartholomew's Hospital Guided Tour: Fridays

Dark Side of the City Guided Walk: Fridays

London's Burning Walking Tour: Saturdays

London's River Walk: Saturdays

Guildhall Art Gallery & Roman Amphitheatre: Tues, Thur, Fri, Sat & Sun

We use cookies to make your website experience better. Please confirm you accept the use of these cookies. To find out more about the cookies we use, please read our cookies policy

Welcome to the City of London, a place of ideas and imagination for 2,000 years. The oldest part of London, that never stays the same.

Top things to do on a friday in the city of london.

Make the most of Transport for London’s discounted Friday travel and discover the City of London's guide to Fridays.

Whether it’s a leisurely day out with family to keep the kids entertained, a moment of respite for busy city workers to lunch or socialise after work, or a fun-filled afternoon for adventurous tourists; the City of London promises an array of experiences as the weekend kicks off.

Explore the City of London

Attractions, food & drink, green spaces, restaurants, exhibitions. events. food & drink., what's on this month, anne desmet: kaleidoscope/london exhibition, folio 400: shakespeare in print, the great leadenhall goose chase, ibrahim mahama: purple hibiscus, billingsgate roman house and baths, the future of money, 14 fantastic things to do this april in the city of london.

Spring has officially arrived and with the weather starting to warm up, April is one of the best times to visit the City of London.

Our guide is packed with inspiration from marvelling at glorious blooms to exploring 2,000-year-old Roman history.

Discover some of the fantastic things to see & do this month in the City.

Things to see & do this April

5 family-friendly activities to enjoy in the city of london during the easter holidays, parks and green spaces in the city of london, a guide to fridays in the city, city of london guides – daily guided walks, discover more, 14 fantastic things to do in april in the city of london, 10 hidden gems in the city of london for you to explore, where to ‘meet’ history’s great characters in the city, a day in the city: art-lovers edition, 19 of the best restaurants to eat in the city of london, why you should stay in the city on your next trip to london, family fun activities to enjoy on the weekend in the city of london, traditional pubs for a drink in the city, what are you interested in, visit the city, within a city.

As the birthplace of London, we are centrally located and brilliantly connected, wherever you’re coming from.

City of London Information Centre

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

• St. Paul's • 3 min walk
• Blackfriars • 4 min walk

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.

Also popular with travelers

City of London Information Centre - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Sun - Sun 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
• Mon - Sat 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
• (0.02 mi) WARM COZY 1 BED ON QUIET PEDESTRIAN ST
• (0.07 mi) Lost Property St Paul's London - Curio Collection by Hilton
• (0.04 mi) Leonardo Royal London St Paul's
• (0.04 mi) YHA London St Pauls
• (0.08 mi) Club Quarters Hotel St. Paul's
• (0.01 mi) SOHO Coffee Co.
• (0.01 mi) Pizza Express
• (0.02 mi) Cafe Rouge - St Pauls
• (0.02 mi) Starbucks
• (0.03 mi) Gourmet Burger Kitchen

Remember Me

Lost Password

Please enter your username or email address. You will receive a link to create a new password via email.

• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My watchlist
• Stock market
• Biden economy
• Personal finance
• Stocks: most active
• Stocks: gainers
• Stocks: losers
• Trending tickers
• World indices
• US Treasury bonds
• Top mutual funds
• Highest open interest
• Highest implied volatility
• Currency converter
• Basic materials
• Communication services
• Consumer cyclical
• Consumer defensive
• Financial services
• Industrials
• Real estate
• Mutual funds
• Credit cards
• Credit card rates
• Balance transfer credit cards
• Business credit cards
• Cash back credit cards
• Rewards credit cards
• Travel credit cards
• Checking accounts
• Online checking accounts
• High-yield savings accounts
• Money market accounts
• Personal loans
• Student loans
• Car insurance
• Home buying
• Options pit
• Investment ideas
• Research reports
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing
• Newsletters

New on Yahoo

• Privacy Dashboard

What happened to London runaway horses that bolted through the city?

The runaway army horses tore through central london, prompting 'total mayhem' including crashing into a taxi and tourist bus..

Content warning: graphic photo

Two military horses seriously injured after running loose through London on Wednesday have undergone operations, the army has said.

On Wednesday, five army horses spooked during a military extended exercise sparked 'total mayhem' as they tore through central London pursued by police, smashing into cars, a taxi and a tourist bus. Both horses were said on Thursday to still be in a 'serious condition'.

The horses were scared when building materials were dropped from height at a construction site right next to them in Belgravia during the routine exercise. Four soldiers were thrown off and five of the animals ran off.

Four of the animals who broke loose have now been named: Vida, Trojan, Quaker and Tennyson. Eyewitnesses reported seeing smashed-up vehicles and one of the horses covered in blood as the animals were chased through the city by police officers.

Vida was the grey horse seen in videos and images from Wednesday covered in blood galloping through central London, alongside black horse Quaker. In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, the army said one of those operated on had been taken to an equine hospital.

On Thursday, defence minister James Cartlidge told Sky News that three of the horses were fine but Vida and Quaker were still recovering: "Two of them are unfortunately in a relatively serious condition and obviously we will be monitoring that condition. They are in a serious condition, but as I understand, still alive.”

What happened?

The horses broke loose during an extended exercise with six soldiers in Belgravia, with four of the riders thrown off, after being spooked by building work in the area on Wednesday morning.

Three personnel from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment incurred injuries which were not thought to be serious and received treatment in hospital. The fourth person who was injured in the incident is believed to be a cyclist and member of the public, the BBC reports.

Emergency were called early on Wednesday morning after reports of a rider coming a horse. Several horses were then spotted close to Buckingham Palace , with two of them being taken under control by police in Docklands following a dramatic pursuit. A drone team from the London Fire Brigade was used to help locate the animals.

Ambulance crews treated four people in three separate incidents in Buckingham Palace Road, Belgrave Square, and at the junction of Chancery Lane and Fleet Street, in the space of just 10 minutes.

The horses were all returned to Hyde Park barracks and were undergoing veterinary care, the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment later confirmed.

In a video statement posted on X later on Wednesday, Commanding Officer of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment Matt Woodward said: “Every morning, the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment in London exercises some 150 horses in the parks and on the roads. This keeps them fit and helps inoculate them to city noise so they’re less easily panicked on parades.

“This morning, however, a small group of horses were spooked by some construction works on a quiet side road in Belgravia where building materials were dropped from height right next to them. The ensuing shock caused all horses to bolt and unseated some riders. Our immediate priority was the safety and wellbeing of our soldiers, members of the public and our horses.

An update following this morning’s incident with Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment horses in London. Three of our soldiers are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Our horses are also safe, and are undergoing veterinary care. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/ljJCF6NP7A — British Army 🇬🇧 (@BritishArmy) April 24, 2024

“We would like to express heartfelt gratitude for the swift responses of Met Police, City of London police, the Royal Mews, the London Ambulance Service, the London fire brigade and members of the public in reacting as quickly as they did. This enabled swift treatment of our soldiers and helped bring our injured horses to safety."

The commanding officer added: "Thankfully, considering the frequency of exercise and numbers of horses involved, this type of incident is extremely rare, we continue to strive to minimise the risk of this recurring. As ever, we are grateful for due consideration given by the members of the public to not making loud noises around our horses."

What witnesses said

During the horses' journey, they were spotted racing into cars, a taxi and a tourist bus, which was left with a smashed windscreen.

An employee for tour bus company Big Bus, named only as Mr Mahmood, said three horses got “out of control” from Buckingham Palace Road.

He said: “One of the horses bumped into a bus, then everything got out of control. I saw two horses without riders gallop away. One rider managed to calm his horse down. An ambulance went to assist another rider who had been injured.”

One of the horses was running through the streets covered in blood, which appears to be a likely injury from a collision with a vehicle.

Roland, a worker for tour bus company, Toot Bus, said the scene was “total mayhem”. “I saw horses come from the bus station in front of Victoria run around in a frenzy,” he said. “People were running around to avoid them – it was total mayhem.”

Meanwhile, a management consultant from south London who saw two of the horses galloping near Aldwych said the sight was “gruesome” and “like a weird dream”.

The 28-year-old, named only as Tula, told the PA news agency: “People were stopping in the street shocked. The horses were running into fast-moving traffic and seemed terrified. Some unmarked police cars were chasing after them, which didn’t seem to be helping.

“I felt shocked. It was pretty gruesome. Felt like a weird dream.”

Cab driver Sean told BBC Radio London that he saw three horses being pursued. "It sounded like a car crash, one was possibly injured. Maybe that is why there are only two being seen," he said.

"I pulled out of Buckingham Palace Road, one of the riders was on the road on his back being tended to. There was a Mercedes Vito parked outside the Grosvenor Hotel with its side smashed in and covered in blood.

"All the windows were smashed so I am guessing the white horse has hit that running into it."

Understanding why even highly trained horses can bolt (Telegraph)

Taxi driver describes moment military horse smashed into side of his Mercedes (Evening Standard)

Recommended Stories

Apple is launching new ipads may 7: here's what to expect from the 'let loose' event.

Apple has scheduled an event for May 7 that'll more than likely focus on new iPads. Here's what we expect the company to show off.

Meta’s Zuckerberg can't calm Wall Street’s nerves on AI spending, stock falls 10%

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg tried to calm investors after the company announced it's going to spend more on AI but couldn't assuage concerns as shares fell more than 10% Thursday.

NBA playoffs: Joel Embiid avoids ejection after pulling down Knicks' Mitchell Robinson by his ankle

Embiid could certainly have drawn an ejection for this play.

Zomato's quick commerce unit Blinkit eclipses core food business in value, says Goldman Sachs

Goldman Sachs said in a report late Thursday that Indian food delivery giant Zomato's quick commerce arm Blinkit is now more valuable than its core food delivery business, as per the bank's sum-of-the-parts analysis. The investment bank estimates Blinkit's implied value at 119 Indian rupees per share ($1.43) or about $13 billion, while Zomato's food delivery business is valued at Rs 98 per share. Goldman previously pegged Blinkit's valuation at $2 billion in March 2023.

After Caleb Williams goes No. 1, USC breaks a four-way tie for the most top picks in NFL Draft history

Six former Trojans have been taken at the top of the NFL Draft.

Eagles, wide receiver A.J. Brown agree to 3-year, $96 million contract extension

A.J. Brown is set to make $32 million per season, which will make him the highest paid wide receiver in NFL history.

Reggie Bush celebrates return of Heisman Trophy, calls out NCAA with defamation suit still pending: 'I never once cheated'

Reggie Bush took a victory lap at the Los Angeles Coliseum Thursday while delivering a message to the NCAA.

Defense startup True Anomaly lays off around 25%, cancels summer internship

Space and defense startup True Anomaly has laid off around 25% of its workforce and canceled its summer internship program, TechCrunch has learned. While TechCrunch could not confirm the total headcount prior to these layoffs, True Anomaly had over 100 employees as of December 2023, it told the Denver Business Journal. Nearly 30 people were cut from the workforce, according to a post on LinkedIn from one of the people let go. At least some interns were abruptly told the summer internship program was canceled last Friday, on April 19, as well.

Sixers starter Kelly Oubre reportedly crashed Lamborghini after Game 2 loss

No injuries were reported in the two-car crash.

This 2-in-1 air filter and aromatherapy diffuser is my secret weapon against pet odors, and it's $30 (that's 50% off)

Over 5,500 Amazon shoppers agree: This purifying gadget can turn the tide on wet dog smell.

Snap says total watch time on its TikTok competitor increased more than 125%

As part of its Q1 2024 earning release, Snap revealed that total watch time on its TikTok competitor, Spotlight, increased more than 125% year-over-year. Snapchat launched the TikTok-like feed in late 2020 as a way to compete with the rising popularity of TikTok. The company is touting the success of its short-from video feed a day after President Biden signed a bill that would ban TikTok if its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, fails to sell it within a year.

Pro-Palestinian protests spread as hundreds arrested at Emory University, Emerson College and elsewhere across the U.S. Here's what's happening.

Pro-Palestinian protests and encampments are springing up at numerous colleges, leading to arrests and heightened security concerns. Here’s what's happening.

Breaking down TikTok's legal arguments around free speech, national security claims

The bill in question, which President Joe Biden signed Wednesday, gives Chinese parent company ByteDance nine months to divest TikTok or face a ban on app stores to distribute the app in the U.S. The law received strong bipartisan support in the House and a majority Senate vote Tuesday, and is part of broader legislation including military aid for Israel and Ukraine. Many who sponsored the bill admit that a TikTok ban is their ultimate goal...It's actually ironic because the freedom of expression on TikTok reflects the same American values that make the United States a beacon of freedom.

These are the fastest-selling new cars of 2024

iSeeCars found that a handful of brands sell new cars much faster than others and noted that EVs are taking longer to sell than hybrids.

Trump trial updates: David Pecker testifies about election-year hush money payments to Stormy Daniels, Karen McDougal

David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer, told the jury in former President Donald Trump's hush money trial about negotiations in 2016 with two women looking to sell their stories about alleged sexual relationships with Trump.

Rubrik's shares end trading up almost 16% on the company's public debut

Rubrik shares hit the New York Stock Exchange Thursday, debuting at $38 a share. Rubrik sells cloud-based security software to enterprise customers and has 1,700 customers with contracts worth more than $100,000 and 100 customers who pay the company more than $1 million a year. The VCs most hoping that Rubrik's stock keeps climbing are Lightspeed and Greylock.

AstraZeneca CEO on US-China tensions: 'We have established a very resilient supply chain'

AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot joined Yahoo Finance to discuss the company's earnings today.

Is TikTok getting banned? Not yet, but you should explore alternatives

As a TikTok ban gets closer to becoming a reality in the United States, it might be time to start thinking about other platforms to adopt early in case you need to fill the void left by the popular app at some point in the future. On Wednesday, President Biden signed a bill that would ban TikTok if its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, fails to sell the app within a year, bringing the possibility of TikTok ban closer than ever before.

Investors are more worried about inflation than a weakening economy

Fresh data on Thursday showed further signs of sticky inflation, pushing bond yields higher and weighing on stocks.

Formula E debuts Gen3 Evo race car: All-wheel drive unlocks 0-60 mph in 1.82 seconds

For the first time, all-wheel drive will be available on a Formula E car, which will unlock 0-60 MPH times under two seconds.

Train strikes in May 2024: Full list of dates and lines affected

Rail lines are set for disruption in the week following the first May bank holiday as train drivers at 16 rail companies strike on different days.

Thursday 25 April 2024 10:29, UK

Train drivers will stage a fresh wave of strikes and overtime bans in May, causing disruption to the rail network.

The strikes are part of a long-running dispute over pay.

Members of Aslef union at 16 rail companies will walk out on different days from 7 to 9 May.

Additionally, all members will refuse to work any overtime from 6 May to 11 May.

Here is a full list of the services affected by strikes and when.

Rail strike dates

Tuesday 7 May

Strikes will affect c2c, Greater Anglia, GTR Great Northern Thameslink, Southeastern, Southern, Gatwick Express and South Western Railway.

Wednesday 8 May

Strikes will affect Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway and West Midlands Trains.

Thursday 9 May

Strikes will affect LNER, Northern Trains and TransPennine Express.

Overtime ban dates

From Monday 6 May to Saturday 11 May union members will not work overtime.

Overtime bans, an action short of a strike, means some services may not be running or may be reduced as drivers refuse to work their rest days.

People are advised to check before they travel, as some areas may have no service.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

How do strikes and overtime bans affect services?

Strikes tend to mean services on lines where members are participating are extremely affected or cancelled entirely, whereas overtime bans often lead to reduced services.

Are there strikes on the Tube too?

There have been regular strikes on London Underground too recently, and while there aren't any planned walkouts for drivers, customer service managers are set to walk out on Friday 26 April in a dispute over terms and conditions.

There will also be an overtime ban for the customer service managers on the following days:

Monday 29 April

Tuesday 30 April

Wednesday 1 May

Tuesday 2 May

Wednesday 3 May

Thursday 4 May

Friday 5 May

The Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) says the action by its members is likely to cause Tube stations to close at the last minute, including on the Saturday following the strike (27 April), while TfL has said on its website "some stations may need to close at short notice".

Despite the warning, a TfL spokesperson has said they aren't expecting significant disruption.

This action follows strike action taken by the same workers on 10 April, which the TSSA said had a "real impact" with "many stations shut at short notice".

They say they are "extremely concerned" about TfL's 'Stations Changes' proposals.

"We have made it clear that our union will not accept the continued threats to our members' roles, locations, terms, and conditions to stand unchallenged," a TSSA spokesperson said.

"We will continue to take sustained action until London Underground is prepared to negotiate with us in good faith."

Commenting on the impending strikes, a TfL spokesperson said: "We are disappointed that TSSA is continuing with this strike action following a consultation process.

"While we don't expect this action will cause significant disruption, we urge TSSA to continue to work with us to help find a resolution.

"There are no planned job losses as part of these vital changes which will improve the service we provide to customers at our stations."

How can I stay in the loop?

You can use the National Rail's journey planner to see when trains are running.

Be sure to check it close to when you plan to travel, as it will be updated regularly.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Why are the strikes still happening?

Aslef rejected a two-year offer of 4% in 2022 and another 4% this year, saying it is way below inflation, and is linked to changes in terms and conditions.

Aslef said train drivers have not had an increase in salary for five years, since their last pay deals expired in 2019.

The union said after its members voted overwhelmingly in February to continue taking industrial action, it asked the train operating companies to hold talks.

General secretary Mick Whelan said the year-old pay offer of 4% and another 4% was "dead in the water".

Related Topics

• London Underground
• Rail strikes