The Famous Square Mile
Monument Underground station, London (Fish Street Hill exit)
Guided by Delianne or Fiona or Judy or Simon or Tom
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, Judy, 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 very near St. Paul’s Tube Station.
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.
Sarah S –
I really enjoyed the walk with Fiona, you get such a historically and thematically varied selection of information and anecdotes, it’s so interesting and she is really pleasant and knowledgeable and conveys enthusiasm about the City. I recommend this walk, but then I haven’t yet done a London Walk that I wouldn’t.
Christopher Bromage –
Simon took us on a superb walk around the City of London – he delivered so many historical facts and stories in a brilliant, engaging way, and opened our eyes to a fascinating area of London. Highly recommend this guide and walk – memorable souvenir of our visit to London.
Diane Long –
Simon was a superb guide, so knowledgeable and humorous, giving us all a fantastic and entertaining walk through time in the City from Roman days all through the centuries up until and including present day. Roman emperors, Henry V, Shakespeare, Christopher Wren, Charles Dickens, and modern City bankers all made an appearance. London Walks have always given the best urban tours and I’m delighted that post COVID they continue to set the standard. Highly recommended!
Alison H. –
Everything about this tour was excellent including the weather! We had a great lunch at Simpson’s Tavern and so the day could not have been better.
Judy did a great job – not too much information to be overwhelming but enough to hold our interest. I worked in the City for 40 years and am a Liveryman of the W C of Shipwrights – i thought that I knew everything about the City. Seemingly I did not! Many thanks from both of us. Alison & Roger
A German bloke –
Sir, when a man is tired of London, help is at hand – for there is in London all and Simon will show you around.
Incredible funny and witty raconteur- he’s the the dog’s bollocks! 6 Star review (1 is for the other lad 😉)
Gareth Collier –
Simon was excellent. Informative and entertaining. Really enjoyed the walk and highly recommended.
kate houghton –
A really interesting walk brought to life by larger than life Simon. Fascinating facts about the sqaure mile and it’s history. Highly recommended
Katherine –
Thank you 😊 to Simon for a very interesting and entertaining walk this morning. Lots of fascinating historical facts about our famous capital and really good value for money!
Nick Inkster –
Simon was engaging, knowledgable, friendly and made our walk very interesting. Even though it was freezing cold, he made the two hours pass in a very entertaining way.
Cammi Bennetton –
Wonderful walk. Simon was brilliant. Engaging for all ages, my grandad (82) and I (17), highlight of my year so far!