London Walking Tour 4

This walk starts at The Tower of London and finishes at The Bank of England. The fourth in a series of free video guides to help tourists enjoy London.

The address of the map for this walking tour is https://drive.google.com/open?id=1WrFxPnGdeO5HXpKPsloT4VdNhGppJtfd&usp=sharing

Clicking the markers along the route gives access to more detailed information.

Transcript:

This video, the fourth in the series, commences at the Tower of London and finishes at the Bank of England. There's a link to a map of the route below.

A little way along the river from the Tower of London, just the other side of the approach road to Tower Bridge, the peaceful environs of St Katharine Docks are popular with those seeking somewhere to relax.

Back past the Tower, close to Tower Hill underground station, there are still a few remnants of the ancient city wall first built by the Romans.

Then over at Trinity Gardens it's possible to visit the exact spot on Tower Hill where public executions once took place.

Leave along Savage Gardens past the Port of London Authority Building, featured in the James Bond movie Skyfall and with it's high rise statue of Old Father Thames, before turning left into Pepys Street to St Olave's Church where Pepys is buried.

Following the back streets, at the top of Seething Lane go left, then right into Mark Lane and before St Olave's Parish Hall cut left through Dunster Court, right into Mincing Lane and left along Fenchurch Street to the Walkie Talkie, former winner of the Carbuncle Cup. To experience the view from the top it's best to book in advance. Expect airport-like security.

Opposite the Walkie go along Lime Street towards the Lloyds Building taking time to detour into Leadenhall Market, designed by Horace Jones who was also the architect of Tower Bridge.

Past the Lloyds Building, with it's ducts and lifts situated on the outside, St Andrew Undershaft, built in 1532, is at the corner of St Mary Axe, home to the now famous Gherkin situated a few meters beyond.

Turn left along Leadenhall Street between the Lloyds Building and the Leadenhall Building, colloquially known as the Cheese Grater, towards Cornhill where a Sainsbury's Local store sells ready to eat meals.

Opposite, the church of St Peter Upon Cornhill has a small garden with seats and what could loosely be described as a picnic lawn. Enter via St Peter's Alley.

Similarly, a little further along, enter St Michael's Cornhill Church gardens along St Michael's Alley which also happens to lead to The George and Vulture, a drinking establishment once patronised by Charles Dickens and mentioned numerous times in The Pickwick Papers.

Next along Cornhill enter Ball Court where London's oldest restaurant, Simpson's Tavern, is well sign posted. Eat at ancient underwriting tables long since removed from Lloyds on seats which to this day incorporate hat stands specifically designed to accommodate bowlers and toppers.

Across Cornhill The Royal Exchange, opened by Queen Elizabeth I and then, after having burned down a couple of times, by Queen Victoria, is now a very pleasant covered courtyard bordered with luxury shops.

Just the other side of Threadneedle Street, easy access to the fort like Bank of England is restricted to the museum where visitors are invited to hold a gold bar. Attempts to remove it from the premises are discouraged.

Beyond the entrances to Bank station, the column fronted Mansion House, official residence of the Lord Mayor of London, hides St. Stephen Walbrook Church, the dome of which was designed by Sir Christopher Wren as a tester prior to his masterpiece at St Paul's Cathedral.

This is also the church from where Chad Varah set up The Samaritans, an organisation which continues to help those with emotional difficulties, saving many lives in the process.

The next stage of this walking tour of London leaves the Bank of England passing the Guildhall, Barbican, Old Bailey, Lincoln's Inn and Covent Garden before finishing at Leicester Square. Click the link to view the video.

Видео London Walking Tour 4 канала flyandvisit