London/City of London

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 also is 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 Centre

• City Information Centre

  phone: +44 20 7332-1456
  address: St. Paul's Churchyard, EC4M 8BX

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 'Visiting the City' pages also contain information for visitors, including lists of attractions, events, and walking tours.

From the airport

Underground services are connected to all major London airports, as well as express train services that take you directly to some of the main stations in the centre of London.

By tube

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

• stations – linked by an underground walkway. Bank, near the Bank of England, is perhaps the station closest to the centre of the City of London.
• , and – for the north and north east of the City.
• – for the north west of the City.
• – for the west of the City.
• , (closed Su), (for Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and Fenchurch Street National Rail station) and – for the south of the City.

On foot

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

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

• Blackfriars (to/from Gatwick and Luton airports)
• (closed Sa, Su and public holidays)
• (to/from Gatwick and Luton airports, no tube)
• Fenchurch Street (tube: )

• Liverpool Street

  (to/from Stansted Airport)

By boat

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:

• (in the west)
• (in the east).

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. The heritage bus route 15 has most of its route in the City. You can ride aboard a vintage Routemaster bus from the Tower of London, west up Cheapside 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.

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

• Bank of EnglandSee also: Bank of England Museum.

• Mansion House

  phone: +44 20 7397 9306
  Official residence of the Lord Mayor of the City of London, completed in 1753.

• Wesley's Chapel and Leysian Mission

  phone: +44 20 7253-2262
  address: 49 City Rd, EC1Y 1AU
  John Wesley, founder of the Methodist church, laid the foundation stone, preached here and is buried behind the chapel. The site also contains the Museum of Methodism.

• Monument

  phone: +44 20 7626-2717
  Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, this tall column (which can be ascended to get a great view) marks the alleged site where the Great Fire of London broke out in September 1666.

• St Giles-without-Cripplegate

  phone: +44 20 7638-1997
  address: Fore St, Cripplegate, EC2Y 8DA
  Medieval Grade I listed church. This church played a key role in the English Revolution and was the parish church of some of the most decisive Puritans: Oliver Cromwell was married and this where John Milton was buried. It was the home of the Morning Exercises The tower remains from the original building; the rest was destroyed in the Blitz but rebuilt based on the original plans.

• St Sepulchre-without-Newgate

  address: Holborn Viaduct, London
  Grade I listed Saxon church founded before the 12th century. The exterior was mostly constructed in the 15th century, and the interior in the 19th. The north side of te church houses a musician's chapel opened in 1955. In addition to the services there are often evening (chargeable) concerts.

• Old Bailey

  phone: +44 20 7248-3277
  This is the probably the most famous criminal court in the world, and has been London's principal criminal court for centuries. It hears cases remitted to it from all over England and Wales as well as the Greater London area. The present building dates largely from 1907 (a new block was added from 1970 for more modern facilities) and stands on the site of the infamous medieval Newgate Gaol. The Central Criminal Court is of course best known today for its association with John Mortimer's Rumpole of the Bailey character, novels and television series. Daily case listings are available at The law pages. No bags, cameras, drink, food or mobile phones—no facilities for safekeeping. Children under 14 not admitted.

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• Tower Bridge

  phone: +44 20 7403-3761
  Magnificent 19th-century bridge, decorated with high towers and featuring a drawbridge. The bridge opens several times each day to permit ships to pass through – timings are dependent on demand, and are not regularly scheduled. When Tower Bridge was built, the area to the west of it was a bustling port – necessitating a bridge that could permit tall boats to pass. Now the South Bank area sits to its west, and the regenerated Butler's Wharf area of shops, reasonably-priced riverside restaurants and the London Design Museum lie to its east. You can get the lift to the top level of the bridge and admire the view. Glass floors provide an interesting perspective for the brave. The museum highlights the bridge's history and engineering, and there are photographic exhibitions along the walkways between the towers.

• Tower of London

  phone: +44 8444 827777
  Founded by William the Conqueror in 1066, enlarged and modified by successive sovereigns, the Tower is today one of the world's most famous and spectacular fortresses and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover its 900-year history as a royal palace and fortress, prison and place of execution, mint, arsenal, menagerie and jewel house. In the winter you can skate on the dry moat. The Tower contains enough buildings and exhibits to keep a family busy for a full day, with plenty of both warlike and domestic contents. Some areas, such as the St John's Chapel in the White Tower, do not allow photography, but these are clearly signposted. Beefeaters, who are all retired sergeant majors from the British Army, provide guided tours for free as well as ceremonial security. See history come alive – go to the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London. This ceremony, the locking up of the Tower, has been performed every night at 10PM for 800 years. Tickets for the ceremony are free but MUST be prearranged.

Churches, graveyards and open spaces

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.

• All Hallows by the Tower

  phone: +44 20 7481-2928
  address: Byward St, EC3R 5BJ
  The oldest church in the City, founded by Saxon abbots in 675 AD.

• St Bartholomew-the-Great

  phone: +44 20 7600-0440
  address: West Smithfield, EC1A 9DS
  Founded in 1123, by jester-turned-monk Rahere, this Norman church is one of the oldest in London. It was damaged in the Dissolution but managed to escape both the Great Fire and the Blitz. This is a Grade I listed building. Tourists are welcome when services are not in progress and are charged an admission fee (which does not apply to those coming to pray or use the café).

• Bunhill Fields

  address: 38 City Road, EC1Y 1AU
  This small graveyard is a rarity in central London, and seems oddly tranquil in comparison to the nearby bustling streets of the City. Some 120,000 bodies are believed to be buried here: as the inscription reads, it is a burial ground for 'nonconformists'. Notably, Bunhill Fields contains the graves of William Blake, Daniel Defoe and John Bunyan. The watchful eye will notice that the paved way across the field is actually made up of tombstones.

• Christ Church

  phone: +44 20 7859-3035
  address: Fournier St
  The restoration of the nave was completed in September 2004, and this church is still a striking building designed by Sir Nicholas Hawksmoor with a particularly tall, pointed spire. Hawksmoor's design was significantly altered in the 19th century, and present continuing restoration is intended to restore it to Hawksmoor's original vision. Christ Church was built as part of the 50 Churches for London project

• St Botolph's Aldersgate

  phone: +44 20 7606-0684
  address: Aldersgate St, EC1A 4EU
  A medieval church that was rebuilt in the late 18th-century, noted for its well preserved interior. The former churchyard was converted into a public space in 1880, called Postman's Park as it was frequented by workers from the nearby Post Office headquarters.

• Postman's Park

  address: Little Britain, City of London
  Postman's Park is three parks combined, bringing together the gardens of St Botolph's Aldersgate, Christ Church Greyfriars and St Leonard, Foster Lane. One of the largest parks in the City of London, Postman's Park contains the Memorial to Heroic Self Sacrifice; a memorial to ordinary people who died saving the lives of others and might otherwise have been forgotten.

• St Magnus the Martyr

  phone: +44 20 7626-4481
  address: Lower Thames St, EC3R 6DN

• St Margaret Pattens

  phone: +44 20 7623-6630
  address: Rood Ln and Eastcheap EC3

• St Mary-at-Hill

  phone: +44 20 7626-4184
  address: St Mary at Hill, EC3R 8EE

• St Mary le Bow

  phone: +44 20 7248-5139
  address: 1 Bow Lane, EC4M 9EE

• St Stephen Walbrook

  phone: +44 20 7283-4444
  address: 39 Walbrook, EC4N 8BN
  Constructed 1672-9 to a design by Sir Christopher Wren and regarded as one of the finest Wren churches. The 63 feet (19 m) high dome is based on Wren's original design for St Paul's Cathedral. Free lunchtime concerts at 1PM on Tuesdays (except August). Free Organ recitals at 12:30PM on Fridays. Occasional art exhibitions on Christian themes and other events.

• Temple

  phone: +44 20 7353-8559
  address: Inner Temple Ln, EC4Y 7BB
  A small realm of serenity in the midst of the typical turmoil. It used to be the court of the Knights Templar. You can still visit the beautiful Romanesque church, which is one of the oldest ones in London (opened in 1185).

Museums and galleries

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• Guildhall Art Gallery and Roman Amphitheatre

  phone: +44 20 7332-3700
  address: Guildhall Yard (off Gresham St)
  The Guildhall Art Gallery houses the City Corporation's art collection, and also runs special exhibitions throughout the year. During construction of the modern gallery, workers discovered the ruins of London's Roman amphitheatre. The gallery was redesigned, and now the Amphitheatre is open to the public within the Guildhall Art Gallery itself and also free of charge.

• Dr Johnson's House

  phone: +44 20 7353-3745
  address: 17 Gough Square, EC4A 3DE
  Dr Samuel Johnson was the highly distinguished 18 th -century "man of letters", best known for his comprehensive English Dictionary of 1755, but also for his prolific output of poems, essays and novels. Something of a "hidden gem", this small, independent museum is dedicated to him—and, with its historic interiors, paintings and prints, personal effects and other exhibits—gives an impression of what it might have been like during his occupancy from 1748-1759. Built in 1700, this impressive period building—a rare example of its kind in the area—survived the brutal onslaught of the Blitz during World War II and is now maintained in excellent condition.

• Bank of England Museum

  phone: +44 20 7601-5545
  address: Threadneedle St
  Charts the history of the bank from 1694 to the present day. A highlight is the opportunity to handle a genuine bar of gold. Photography allowed, but no flash.

• Barts Pathology Museum

  address: 3F, Robin Brook Centre, EC1A 7BE
  Quirky medical museum. Only open to the public for scheduled evening events.

• Barbican Centre

  phone: +44 20 7638-4141
  address: Silk St
  The largest arts centre in Europe.

• Museum of the Order of St John

  phone: +44 20 7324-4005
  address: St John’s Gate, St John’s Lane, EC1M 4DA
  Museum in the former English headquarters of the Knights Hospitaller, covering the history of the order from crusading knights to modern first aid organisation.

• City of London Police Museum

  phone: +44 20 7332 1868
  address: Guildhall Library, Aldermanbury, London EC2V 7HH
  Small museum of historic artefacts covering the history of the City Police. Exhibits include uniforms, Victorian-era police equipment and artefacts, communication devices, World War II displays, and exhibits about Jack the Ripper and other famous murder cases. See also the display cabinet of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards (just outside the entrance) and also any exhibition in the Guildhall Library itself.

• London Mithraeum

  address: 12 Walbrook London, EC4N 8AA
  The London Mithraeum is a 3rd century Roman mithraeum that was discovered in Walbrook during construction work in 1954. The entire site was relocated several times before being returned to its original site as part of the new Bloomberg building. This temple of the mystery god Mithras became perhaps the most famous 20th-century Roman discovery in London. In addition to the temple structure, there is a display of Roman artefacts found on the site and a contemporary art exhibit responding to the site. Visitor numbers are limited and timed slots are often fully booked up several weeks into the future so plan well ahead.

Other points of interest

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 London's most famous buildings (including many of those in the City) are open for public tours.

• Barbican Conservatory

  phone: +44 845 120-7500
  address: Silk St, EC2Y 8DS
  The second biggest greenhouse in London, containing over 2,000 species of tropical plants as well as birds and fish.

• Blitz Plaque

  address: Fore St
  The first of tens of thousands of bombs to hit London in World War II fell here in 1940.

• Baltic Exchange

  address: St. Mary Axe
  The world's main marketplace for ship broking.

• London WallRemains of the wall that surrounded the City of London for almost two thousand years. The parts around the Barbican are mostly Tudor due to maintenance (Roman remains can be seen in and around the Tower of London). Other local remains are the and the .

• International Petroleum Exchange

  address: St. Katherines Dock
  One of the world's largest energy futures and options exchanges. The Brent Crude marker which represents an important benchmark for global oil prices is traded here. It also houses the European Climate Exchange, where emissions trading takes place.

• Lloyds of London

  address: 1 Lime St
  The headquarters of world's most famous insurance market, housed in a revolutionary (at the time) bizarre, Matrix-like glass-and-steel building designed by Richard Rogers, with all support services (lifts, ventilation, etc) suspended outside. Recognised as a masterpiece of exoskeleton architecture.

• London Stock Exchange

  address: 10 Paternoster Square, EC4M 7LS
  After leaving its brutalist skyscraper on Old Broad St, the London Stock Exchange now resides on Paternoster Sq. Dating back to 1698, it is one of the world's oldest and largest stock markets.

• London Bullion Market Association

  address: 13-14 Basinghall St
  This is where the world gold price is set twice a day.

• London Metal Exchange

  address: 56 Leadenhall St
  The LME is the leading centre for non-ferrous metals trading. It is also the last financial market in London which still retains open outcry trading.

• London Stone

  address: Cannon St
  London Stone is a historic landmark traditionally housed at 111 Cannon Street in the City of London. It is an irregular block of oolitic limestone measuring 53 × 43 × 30 cm (21 × 17 × 12"), the remnant of a once much larger object that had stood for many centuries on the south side of the street. The stone is housed at the Museum of London pending reconstruction of the 111 Cannon Street building.

• St Bride Printing Library

  phone: +44 20 7353-4660
  address: Bride Ln, EC4Y 8EE
  This specialist small library houses an impressive range of books on graphic design, typography, bookbinding and papermaking. The books cannot be borrowed but can be photocopied or photographed (with permission). An essential visit for any graphic design student.

• Swiss Re

  address: 30 St. Mary Axe
  Designed by one of Britain's leading architects, Sir Norman Foster, and recipient in 2004 of the Stirling Architectural Prize for Best Building.

• Willis Building

  address: 51 Lime St
  A recent addition to the City's skyline, and right opposite Lloyd's of London.

• Leadenhall Building

  address: 122 Leadenhall
  Another Richard Rogers creation, due to be the tallest building by roof height in the City. Under construction as of 2013. Also opposite Lloyd's.

• 20 Fenchurch Street

  address: 20 Fenchurch St
  The unusual "walkie scorchie" profile of this skyscraper by Rafael Vinoly has seen it grab the headlines, as did the "death rays" caused by the sun's heat reflecting off the building onto the street below when it was first completed; car tyres melted and burst, and at least one man fried an egg using only the heat from the walkie talkie. Visitors can access the sky garden to see a magnificent view over the City and beyond; it's the only place you can't see the tower from! Online booking to visit during the day is essential. Alternatively you can eat at one of the restaurants in the evening.

• Fishmongers' Hall

  phone: +44 207 626 3531
  address: London Bridge, EC4 9EL
  The main headquarters of the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers and a Grade II

* listed building.

• Climb to the top of St Paul's Cathedral or The Monument to get excellent views over the financial heart of London.

• Barbican Architecture Tour90-minute tour of the beautifully ugly brutalist site.

• Digital Revolution

  phone: +44 20 7638-8891
  address: Barbican Centre
  An exhibition of digital art and creativity, including film, music and games, and the effect of technology on the arts. Runs until 14 September.

• The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier

  phone: +44 20 7638-8891
  address: Art Gallery
  An exhibition devoted to the French couturier featuring over a hundred garments and costumes. Runs until 25 August.

• Shoreditch Street Art Tour

  address: Spitalfields Market, E1 6EG
  A tour of the constantly changing street art around this part of the East End. Saturday times may vary.

• Gresham College

  phone: +44 20 7831-0575
  address: Barnard's Inn Hall, Holborn
  Founded in 1597 as London's alternative higher education institution to Oxford and Cambridge, Gresham College continues to provide free public lectures every week during term time. Most lectures require no booking, with wonderful speakers delivering lectures on wide range of interesting topics.

• Lord Mayor's ShowThe ceremony celebrates the appointment of the new Lord Mayor of the City of London. It is one of the great annual processions held in all London.

• London WalksConsider 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.

• London Film Locations Bus TourThe City of London is hugely popular with film makers so consider going on a bus tour of famous film locations.

• Tower of London Ice Rink

Bus tours

• London Night Tour

  phone: +44 20 7630-2028
  address: Departing from Coach stop 3, Bulleid Way

• See London by Night

  phone: +44 20 7183-4744

• London Buses Heritage route 15Heritage route 15 is a section of the standard TfL bus route 15 over which historic AEC Routemaster buses still operate between Tower Hill and Trafalgar Square. A suitable budget alternative to a tour bus for those who want a more authentic classic London bus experience without a guide's commentary. Buses every 15 minutes interleaved with standard buses. (Not wheelchair accessible. Use standard buses for accessibility or for the full route 15.)

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:

• One New ChangeThe City's only modern shopping centre, which opened in October 2010. Includes around 60 shops and restaurants. It is situated right by St Paul's Cathedral and is in a small area of retailing, including Cheapside and the cobbled, old-fashioned Bow Lane. Both the freely accessible roof terrace, and the lifts to get there, offer excellent views of St Paul's.

• Leadenhall MarketWorth visiting for its architecture and old-fashioned cobbled streets. It was used as a location in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

• Royal ExchangeSituated opposite the Bank of England, the Exchange houses a number of upmarket outlets. Part of the exterior was featured in the film Bridget Jones' Diary (at the end, when Bridget runs after Mark along a snowy street).

• Spitalfields Market

  address: 225 Central Markets, EC1A 9LH
  Once a large thriving market, it has slowly been shrunk to a third of its size by development in the area. It features a good variety of clothing, crafts and food stalls/shops. Rather promisingly sellers have set up another market in a new space off Hanbury St nearby. Visit 66/68 Bell Lane nearby to see a wealthy merchant's house, rumour has it John Lennon once played on the roof of this building with Yoko Ono.

• Exmouth Market

  address: EC1R 4QA
  Trendy independent shops on a pedestrianised street.

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

• Tesco Express

  address: 131 Aldersgate St, EC1A 4JQ
  Small, local branch of the supermarket

• Tesco Express

  address: Unit 5, Cheapside, EC2V 6BJ
  Small, local branch of the supermarket

• Tesco Express

  address: 1-23 City Rd, EC1Y 1AG
  Small, local branch of the supermarket. Starbucks and Eat next door.

• Sainsbury's Local

  address: 10 Paternoster Square, EC4M 7DX
  Small, local branch of the supermarket. In a pedestrian square near St. Paul's Cathedral.

• Waitrose

  address: Cherry Tree Walk Centre, Whitecross St, EC1Y 8NX
  Slightly more upmarket supermarket.

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

• Coffee Aroma

  phone: +44 20 7251-3919
  address: 12 Goswell Rd, EC1M 7AA

• Moorgate Buttery

  phone: +44 20 7628-7473
  address: 5–6 Fore St, EC2Y 9DT
  Café and sandwich shop.

• Tinseltown

  phone: +44 20 7689-2424
  address: 44-46 St John St, EC1M 4DF
  Halal American-style diner, serving burgers, steaks, and grilled meat. Good for Muslims on a budget and hungry, early-morning clubbers.

• To A Tea

  phone: +44 20 7248-3498
  address: 14 Farringdon St, EC4A 4AB
  Tearoom.

• Whitecross Street Market

  phone: +44 20 7527-1761
  address: 1 Whitecross St, EC1V 9AB
  Eclectic street-food market.

• Hub Deli

  phone: +44 20 7392-0661
  address: 93 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 3XD
  Small sandwich shop offering many delicious sandwiches and bagels. In Bishopsgate. Nice for quick lunches.

• Snak Express

  phone: +44 20 7606-1696
  address: Barbican Tube Station
  Cheap and wholesome

Mid-range

• Boisdale of Bishopsgate

  phone: +44 20 7283-1763
  address: Swedeland Court, 202 Bishopsgate, EC2M 4NR
  A rather grand Scottish restaurant which has jazz evenings and offers a cigar bar.

• Club Gascon

  phone: +44 20 7796-0600
  address: 57 West Smithfield, EC1A 9DS
  Fine French dining at this Michelin-starred restaurant.

• Duck and Waffle

  phone: +44 20 3640-7310
  address: Heron Tower, 110 Bishopgate, EC2N 4AY

• Gow's

  phone: +44 20 7920-9645
  address: 81 Old Broad St, EC2M 1PR
  An upmarket seafood restaurant and oyster bar.

• Polo Bar

  phone: +44 20 7283-4889
  address: 176 Bishopsgate, EC2M 4NQ
  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.

• Simpson's Tavern

  phone: +44 20 7626-9985
  address: Ball Court, 38½ Cornhill, EC3V 9DR
  A traditional old style English eatery which has been in business here since 1757. Most of the food is cooked on an open grill in the corner. A very City of London experience!

• Smiths of Smithfields

  phone: +44 20 7251-7950
  address: 67-77 Charterhouse Street, EC1M 6HJ
  Smiths of Smithfield is a Grade II listed four-floor restaurant serving great British food.

• The Wall

  phone: +44 20 7588-4845
  address: 45 Old Broad St, EC2N 1HU
  Restaurant and bar popular at lunchtime and in the early evenings.

• Attilio

  phone: +44 20 7253-8369
  address: 1 Cowcross St, EC1M 6DR
  Family-owned Italian restaurant.

• Carnevale

  phone: +44 20 7250-3452
  address: 135 Whitecross St, EC1Y 8JL
  Small vegetarian restaurant with integral deli.

• Comptoir Gascon

  phone: +44 20 7608-0851
  address: 63 Charterhouse St, EC1M 6HJ
  French restaurant and delicatessen.

• The Green

  phone: +44 20 7490-8010
  address: 29 Clerkenwell Green, EC1R 0DU
  Easygoing gastro-pub with good quality, reasonably priced lunch menu, and tapas in the evening.

• J+A Café

  phone: +44 20 7490-2992
  address: 1-4 Sutton Lane, EC1M 5PU

• Polpo

  phone: +44 20 7250-0034
  address: 3 Cowcross St, EC1M 6DR

• Smiths of Smithfield

  phone: +44 20 7251-7950
  address: 67-77 Charterhouse St, EC1M 6HJ
  Grade II listed four-floor restaurant in Smithfield Market.

• Wood Street Bar and Restaurant

  phone: +44 20 7256-6990
  address: 53 Fore St, EC2Y 5EL
  Real ale, nice food and a relaxed atmosphere.

Splurge

• Apulia

  phone: +44 20 7600-8107
  address: 50 Long Lane, EC1A 9EJ
  Italian restaurant.

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

• Crown Tavern

  phone: +44 20 7253-4973
  address: 43 Clerkenwell Green, EC1R 0EG
  A large, traditional pub, rebuilt in 1815 but claiming a history on this site back to 1641. In good weather, outdoor tables in the square can be pleasant. London legend claims that Stalin and Lenin first met in this pub, in a back room (under the "Conspirators' Clock") in 1903.

• Dirty Dick's

  phone: +44 20 7283-5888
  address: 202 Bishopsgate
  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.

• Eat & Drink

  phone: +44 20 7377-8964
  address: 11 Artillery Passage
  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!

• Lamb Tavern

  phone: +44 20 7626-2454
  address: 10-12 Leadenhall Market
  One of several pubs in Leadenhall Market where you can listen to insurance brokers from nearby Lloyd's talk business.

• The Dovetail

  phone: +44 20 7490-7321
  address: 9-10 Jerusalem Passage, EC1V 4JP
  Small Belgian bar serving Belgian beer and Belgian food.

• The Crosse Keys

  phone: +44 20 7623-4824
  address: 9 Gracechurch Street, EC3V 0DR
  Part of the JD Wetherspoons chain in a converted bank. As is usual for the chain, it is fairly cheap with decent food and drink. The ex-bank building makes this pub a little grander and more spacious than most.

• The Sterling

  phone: +44 20 7929-3641
  address: 30 Saint Mary Axe, EC3A 8BF
  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.

• Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese

  address: 145 Fleet Street, EC4A 2BU
  An old City pub establishment, rebuilt shortly after the Great Fire of 1666. All the monarchs who have reigned in England during the pub's time are written by the main door.

• White Hart

  address: 121 Bishopsgate
  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.

• Fox & Anchor

  phone: +44 20 7250-1300
  address: 115 Charterhouse St, EC1M 6AA
  Independent traditional pub quite close to the Barbican. Beers are often served in pewter tankards for the extra traditional touch. Six rooms are available as well for those who want to sleep where they drink (or just near the Barbican). Great atmosphere but it can be a little more expensive than average, especially the food and lodging.

• Jerusalem Tavern

  phone: +44 20 7490-4281
  address: 55 Britton St, EC1M 5UQ
  A converted Georgian coffee shop, which sells the Norfolk beer, St. Peters. The building is from the 1700s, remodelled in 1810, and it was converted in the 1990s, making this both a new and an old pub. The interior is a little small so, while well worth a visit, after 5PM on weekdays it gets quickly flooded with City workers.

• The Jugged Hare

  phone: +44 20 7614-0134
  address: 49 Chiswell St, EC1Y 4SA
  A gastropub modelled on a traditional countryside drinking establishment, with a hunting theme. The tables are actually old whisky barrels and the decor features several stuffed animals and trophies. Completing the pattern, the food is heavily game-based, with some seafood.

• The Old Doctor Butler's Head

  phone: +44 20 7606-3504
  address: 2 Masons Ave, EC2V 5BY
  This claims to be one of London's oldest pubs, tracing it history to 1610, although it has been rebuilt since then. The eponymous Doctor Butler was a purveyor of "medicinal ale" who was appointed court physician to James I. Pubs selling his beer were allowed to display his portrait, hence the name of the establishment.

• Old Fountain

  phone: +44 20 7253-2970
  address: 31 Baldwin St, EC1V 9NU
  Local CAMRA Pub of the Year 2011. This traditional pub is best known for its large and varied beer selection, often from local and micro-breweries, both cask and bottled.

• Old Red Cow

  phone: +44 20 7726-2595
  address: 71-72 Long Lane, EC1A 9EJ
  Small pub that serves real ale and craft beer from both major and local breweries.

• The Princess of Shoreditch

  phone: +44 20 7729-9270
  address: 76-78 Paul St, EC2A 4NE
  Gastropub.

• Hand & Shears

  phone: +44 20 7600 0257
  address: 1 Middle St, EC1A 7JA
  Grade II listed historic pub

• The Hope

  phone: +44 20 7253 8525
  address: 94 Cowcross St, London EC1M 6BH
  Grade II listed pub

Bars

• El Vino

  phone: +44 20 7600-6377
  address: 3 Bastion Highwalk (125 London Wall), EC2Y 5AP
  Wine bar.

• Vinoteca

  phone: +44 20 7253-8786
  address: 7 St John St, EC1M 4AA
  Wine bar and shop.

Clubs

• Fabric

  phone: +44 20 7336-8898
  address: 77a Charterhouse St
  A massive club (think cathedral scale) that provides a more underground version of Ministry of Sound and hosts some of the biggest names in dance music, from Goldie to David Holmes to the Scratch Perverts. There are always big queues, so get down early if you can.

• The Nightjar

  phone: +44 20 7253-4101
  address: 129 City Rd, EC1V 1JB
  Speakeasy-style cocktail bar. Regular live music fitting the prohibition era theme.

• The Zetter Townhouse

  phone: +44 20 7324-4545
  address: 49-50 St John's Square, EC1V 4JJ
  Cocktail lounge in a Georgian townhouse. Also offers some accommodation with thirteen rooms available for hire.

Budget

• The Hoxton Urban Lodge

  phone: +44 20 7550-1000
  address: 81 Great Eastern St
  210 room hotel, with some cheaper "shoebox" rooms

• St Paul's Youth Hostel

  phone: +44 8707 705764
  address: 36 Carter Ln
  Small hostel converted from one of the City's oldest buildings. Cheap for Central London accommodation, range of room sizes, basic facilities.

Mid-range

• Apex City of London Hotel

  phone: +44 131 441-0440
  address: 1 Seething Lane, EC3N 4AX
  Located in the City close to the Tower of London. 179 luxury bedrooms and suites, restaurant, bar and gym. Free fast speed Wi-fi

• Apex Temple Court Hotel

  phone: +44 131 441-0440
  address: 1-2 Serjeants' Inn, Fleet Street, EC4Y 1LL
  184 spacious luxury bedrooms and suites, bar, restaurant, executive lounge and gym. Free fast speed Wi-fi

• Citybase Apartments - St Paul's Apartments

  phone: +44 20 3701-4966
  address: Queen Street, EC4R 1BR
  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.

• Apex London Wall Hotel

  phone: +44 131 441-0440
  address: 7-9 Copthall Avenue, EC2R 7NJ
  Close to the Bank of England and Liverpool Street Station. 89 luxury bedrooms and suites, bar, restaurant and gym. Free fast speed Wi-fi

• Andaz Liverpool Street London Hotel

  phone: +44 20 7961-1234
  address: 40 Liverpool St
  A concept casual luxury hotel. No two bedrooms the same. Features iPod rentals and 5 restaurants

• SACO Apartments – Aldgate

  phone: +44 20 7269-9930
  address: 99 Leman St
  A grade II listed Victorian building in perfect walking distance to the main city centre. A great alternative to hotels for those travelling on business.

• Travelodge London Liverpool St

  phone: +44 8719 846190
  address: 1 Harrow Pl

• SilverDoor Ltd

  phone: +44 20 8630-7200
  address: 3 Dukes Gate Chiswick London W4 5DX
  Catering to business travellers, serviced apartments agency SilverDoor Ltd offer over 300 properties in the UK capital.

Splurge

• Citadines Prestige Holborn-Covent Garden London

  phone: +44 20 7395-8800
  address: 94-99 High Holborn
  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.

• Malmaison London

  phone: +44 20 7012-3700
  address: Charterhouse Sq
  Great location with attentive staff.

• Crowne Plaza London - The City

  phone: +44 871-9429190
  address: 19 New Bridge St, EC4V 6DB

As the Barbican is part of the City of London, it is covered by The Cloud’s City WiFi Network. Search for in the available networks. FastConnect App available for smartphones and tablets. Free and unlimited access for all users.
The Barbican's WiFi is also provided by The Cloud and operates in the same way.

Health

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:

• Local pharmacies, for basic medicines and healthcare products:

• Portmans Pharmacy

  phone: +44 20 7638-0067
  address: 5 Cherry Tree Walk, Whitecross St, EC1Y 8NX
  Closest pharmacy to the venue.

• Boots

  phone: +44 20 7920-9347
  address: 143 Moorgate, EC2M 6XQ

• S Chauhan Chemist

  phone: +44 20 7253-9691
  address: 36 Goswell Road, EC1M 7AA

• Boots

  phone: +44 20 7248-9340
  address: 104 Cheapside, EC2V 6DN

Guy's Hospital Urgent Care Centre

phone: +44 20 3049-8970

address: Tabard Annexe, Great Maze Pond, SE1 9RT

For treatment of minor injuries like sprains, broken bones and bites.

Royal London Hospital Accident & Emergency

phone: +44 20 3416-5000

address: Whitechapel, E1 1BB

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 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.