The Famous Square Mile
Monument Underground station, London (Fish Street Hill exit)
Guided by Ann or Citlalli or Delianne or Fiona or Jack or Simon or Tom
Adult: £20 · Students & Seniors: £15 · Children: £5
Walk Times
| Day | Walk Type | Start Time | End Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Weekly | 10.30 am | 12.30 pm | Winter Summer | Reserve Online |
| Thursday | Weekly | 11 am | 1 pm | Winter Summer | Reserve Online |
HEAR TOM MBE HERE
Here’s barrister and superstar guide Tom Hooper MBE talking about this walk. This is Part I of a two-part interview in which Tom enlightens and entertains us about what this walk covers, what you get, where it goes, etc.
Short read: 2,000 Years of History (brought to you by brilliant guides*)
A dream team of nonpareil guides
Long read: The great classic London Walk, the London Walk of Walks! It explores the very heart of the City – the most historic part of the capital. Threading his way through an intricate network of narrow alleys and cobblestone lanes, Simon chronicles the 2,000 years of London’s rich and tumultuous history. And illustrates it by drawing upon everything from street names to ancient customs to the frozen music of London’s great buildings, among which are the ruins of the Roman Temple of Mithras, the Bank of England, the Lord Mayor’s Mansion House, and ancient Guildhall. Guided by Tom MBE, Fiona or Simon.
*”If this were a golf tournament every name on the Leader Board would be a London Walks guide”
FAMOUS SQUARE MILE TOUR PRACTICALS
The meeting point is just outside the Fish Street Hill exit of Monument Tube. N.B. the walk ends at Guildhall, nearest tube is Bank and it is a short walk to St. Paul’s.
LONDON WALKS SOUPÇON
The gold stored at the Bank of England cannot be stacked more than 5 feet high and has to be continuously moved around. Why? Because the London clay does not provide a solid enough foundation. Gold is so dense and thus heavy, it would start to sack the foundation of the vaults. In Manhattan, in contrast, the vaults are laid right on top of schist bedrock which is very strong. There is virtually is no limit to how high the stacks can be. (Perhaps just as well because there is more gold in the vaults of the Federal Reserve Bank in Manhattan than there is in Fort Knox. More than 36 countries store their gold there – more than 1/4 of the world’s gold is in those vaults. And well might you ask – how much is in the Bank of England?)
LONDON WALKS REVIEWS
“London’s best city tours” The Telegraph
“Even jaded Londoners find these London Walks a source of astonishing gems of information about the city in which they live.” Daily Mail, Top London Treats
“London Walks was the first – and is the best – of the walking tour firms” Fodor’s Great Britain
“The Famous Square Mile with guide Simon this morning was excellent. I didn’t want it to end even though it had begun raining. The wealth of knowledge of Simon and his exuberant passion for the history of this famous city was reflected in how he brought it to life for our group. I’ve been on numerous of the London Walks and all are the highest calibre. Take as many of these walks as you can!!” P. Fuselli Banff, Canada Feb. 2020
LONDON WALKS PRIVATE WALKS
If you can’t make one of the regularly scheduled, just-turn-up, public Famous Square Mile walks do think about booking one as a private tour. If you go private you can have the Famous Square Mile walk – or any other London Walk – on a day and at a time that suits your convenience. We’ll tailor it to your requirements. Ring Fiona or Peter or Niamh or Mary on 020 7624 3978 or email us at [email protected] and we’ll set it up and make it happen for you. A private London Walk – they’re good value for an individual or couple and sensational value for a group – makes an ideal group or educational or birthday party or office (team-building) or club outing.
GIVE THE GIFT OF LONDON WALKS
A private London Walk makes a very special, thoughtful and unusual gift. Be it a birthday or anniversary or Christmas present or whatever. Merchandise schmerchandise (gift wrapped or not) – but giving someone an experience, now that’s special. Memories make us rich.
Penny Panman –
My teenage grandson and I really enjoyed our tour of the Square Mile with Ann yesterday. She was a mine of information and anecdotes and took us down little lanes and alleys we never would have found on our own. It was a beautifully sunny London morning and we felt proud of the city’s beautiful buildings and its history. I would have added one more star if we had learned more about Roman and medieval London.
Sandra Behrens –
We had a fantastic morning walk with Fiona in just a party of three. Very informative, passionately presented – loved every bit of it. Thank you for showing and sharing London and its history with us. Learned a lot of new details about this gorgeous City <3
Jude Earles –
We went on the Square Mile walk led by Tom. We were late due to the tube strike but Tom was very good waiting for us and staying close to the starting point until we arrived. Tom was outstanding. His knowledge was amazing, he has a wonderful sense of humour and is so good with people. The time flew by far too quickly. The company as a whole needs to be commended. They are so efficient and personable. I strongly recommend them. We will be back next time in London. Thank you London Walks and thank you Tom.
Sunil –
Had a lovely morning walk with Simon focusing on the history of the square mile. He was great fun and full of many interesting facts he had so much information to impart we ran overtime and he kept going as long as we were happy which we gladly were.
Dispite living in london for many years I learnt loads of new history and Simon really brought the area alive!
Davinder Birring –
Absolutely fantastic walk – passionate story telling from Simon – thoroughly recommended
Anne Harden –
I joined a Walk this morning focusing on classic London hotels. This was lead by Andy. His commentary was both informative and entertaining and he provided us with a clear and interesting picture of the development and comparison of London’s classic hotels. I noticed that he also leads a different Walk during the week, focusing on different aspects of hotels. I will look forward to joining this Walk, when I am able. Thanks Andy fir a great tour
Christelle Weich –
Most interesting! History came alive on every street corner and alleyway. Fiona’s knowledge and passion was inspiring. Loved it! Will come again.
James (Bristol) –
Simon is better than a great guide. I’ve been on a few walking tours in a few countries. Simon is the best. He doesn’t just have top notch knowledge but his delivery – putting drama, humour/wit and even acting into the tales he tells – is second to none. Some tour guides just rattle off facts, this guide really knows his stuff but is so much more- the far end of the spectrum.
Val de Souza –
Wonderful walk around the famous square mile yesterday. Ann was just so engaging, and so knowledgeable on such range of subjects. Her walk has given us so many ideas for other City of London days out. Thank you
Alison Peart –
Brilliant walk around the square mile, good leisurely pace and interesting facts from past and more recent history which engaged our party of 4 including a 13 and 14 yr old. Thanks so much Ann – definitely will recommend.