Stage
1 - Tower of London to Bank
The walk is a circular walk so it doesn't matter really where you
start. We have chosen to start at Tower Hill Underground Station,
opposite the Tower of London.
Simply follow the signs over to the Tower of London, descending on
the western side of the Tower to the main entrance. There are well
maintained public toilets here too.
We have a dedicated page for the Tower
of London.
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Tower
Bridge |
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Much
of this walk is within the old City of London, the original conurbation
when it had a city wall. In the City itself the place is a ghost
town at weekends, so you may choose to do this section of the walk
during a working day. The Tower of London marked the south eastern
point of the city wall, where it met the river that formed London's
southern boundary. The Tower of London is strategically placed to
guard against possible enemies, most liable to approach London coming
up the River Thames from the sea.
The Romans, about 2,000 years ago were the first to establish London
as a city as we would know it today. As now, London then was built
on trading and commerce.
Descending to the riverfront, the patch of the River Thames in front
of you between Tower Bridge and London Bridge, (the next bridge
westwards) is known as the Pool of London. This was the original
port of London. At that time the river was much wider than it is
now and the opposite bank was just marshland. London Bridge was
the original bridge that forded the River Thames, the first crossing
point from the sea. For a long time until 1750, London Bridge was
the only bridge across the Thames, partly because of the vested
interest opposition of the ferrymen that earned a living plying
from bank to bank. The London Bridge in front of you is only about
30 years old, its predecessor was sold and shipped as a tourist
attraction to Lake Havusa, Arizona.
If you are not doing the full walk you might want to go and explore
Tower Bridge more closely. Tower Bridge is a relative newcomer,
only opened in 1894. Otherwise turn away from Tower Bridge and follow
the river path of the north bank westwards. Follow the river path,
(with a short signposted detour) until you approach London Bridge.
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The
Monument
Turn right just before London Bridge. Take care to cross the busy
road that parallels the river, then climb up Fish Street Hill on the
opposite side of the road. Fish Street Hill is the first road northwards
for traffic coming East from Westminster after crossing under London
Bridge. Keep to the right hand side of the road the short way until
the road bends left. On this bend to your right is the Monument.
In 1666 there was the Great Fire of London, destroying much of London.
The Monument is a memorial to that event, its height 205 feet, is
the same as the distance to the bakers shop in neighbouring Pudding
Lane where the fire started. The Monument is the tallest stone column
in the world, topped by a vase of flames. It was designed by Christopher
Wren who also was responsible for St Paul's Cathedral which we visit
later in the walk.
If you're fit enough you can walk up inside the column for a great
view from the top and a well earned certificate.
Head east, (back in the direction of the Tower of London) along Monument
Street. In a few yards the first road crossing on Monument Street
is Pudding Lane itself. Turn left, up Pudding Lane. The fire that
started here destroyed 15,000 homes and 87 churches, much of the city
area in 5 days. |
The
Monument |
The
Gherkin |
Lloyds
of London
At the top of Pudding Lane, turn right along Eastcheap, then first
left up Philpot Lane. In a short while you encounter Fenchurch Street,
go straight over. Philpot Lane has become Lime Street. Follow Lime
Street as it bends right and then left. The unmistakable Lloyds of
London building now dominates your attention. Looking a bit like the
Pompidou Centre in Paris, this 1986 building has all its pipes, ducts
and lifts on the outside of the building. Originating from a coffee
house in the 1860's, Lloyds is now the world's leading insurance market,
covering the most complex and specialist risks, from celebrities body
parts to oil rigs.
The Gherkin (Swiss RE Building)
After continuing past the Lloyds building, the main road crossing
is Leadenhall Street. Almost opposite is St Mary Axe Street. From
the corner of St Mary Axe opposite the church you have a grandstand
view of the 'Erotic Gherkin' or the Swiss Re building.
This is a new building completed in 2004 for Swiss Re, the second
largest insurance company in the world. It is now one of the icons
of the London skyline. It is not the tallest building, but its 41
floors has captured the imagination of the public.
Now retrace your steps, back along Leadenhall Street and turn left
into the next road after the Lloyds building, Whittington Avenue. |
Leadenhall
Market
Whittington
Avenue leads into the Leadenhall Market complex, a visually very impressive
Victorian Market dating from 1881. |
The
market stands on the site of a Roman basilica. The original market
was burnt down in the Fire of London and was then expanded to sell
poultry, dairy goods, leather, wool and meat.
It now contains a wide variety of shops and bars. Wander around, a
nice place to browse the specialist shops and perhaps take a coffee
break.
Make your exit on the western side of the market in Gracechurch Street,
the opposite side to your entrance into the market. Turn right up
Gracechurch Street to the first main crossroad's. |
Leadenhall
Market |
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Turn
left into Cornhill and follow it for 800m to Bank Underground, but
.....
You
will be rewarded if you follow your nose down alleys and into churches
in a very atmospheric part of London. Just return to Cornhill from
your adventures.
St Peter upon Churchill Church on the south side of Cornhill is
the oldest place of Christian worship in London.
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