The Lord Mayor’s Show will soon return to wow us all with a breathtaking display of pageantry.
The largest and most colourful event in the City of London’s calendar takes place in November and will bring together a vibrant procession and millions of viewers from around the world to welcome the new Lord Mayor.
This year’s show includes colourful full-size model elephants, Japanese taiko drummers, and a horse-drawn bus, in a major spectacle that dates back to the 13th century.
The three-mile-long procession will be filled with carriages and horses, and a fire engine with a 210-foot extendable turntable ladder – the tallest in Europe – will also be on show.
The new Lord Mayor, Alderman Vincent Keaveny, will ride in the procession in the golden State Coach, which has been used in every Lord Mayor’s Show since 1757 and is the oldest ceremonial vehicle in regular use in the world.
If that’s not enough to keep you occupied all day, why not head to one of the City’s iconic attractions to really get a feel for the Square Mile and its vibrancy.
Bank of England Museum
Home to 40,000 historical items and relaying the past 1,500 years of history, visitors will be able to learn why banknotes are so hard to clone, get their hands on solid bars of gold, and discover why people turned to paper currency in the first place.
Bartholomew Lane EC2R 8AH
bankofengland.co.uk
Bevis Marks Synagogue
Opened in 1701, this is the UK’s oldest synagogue in continuous use, and a stands tall in the Square Mile as a monument of outstanding national importance.
Bevis Marks EC3A 5DQ
sephardi.org.uk
Billingsgate Roman House and Baths
Set deep below the winding pathways of the Square Mile sits an ancient site that has survived 2,000 years of building, fires and wars. The protected archeological remains or a former civilization are a sight to behold, and guided tours really help to bring history to life.
101 Lower Thames Street, EC3R 6DL
cityoflondon.gov.uk
Bridewell Theatre
This thriving venue in the heart of the City plays host to a vast range of shows, put on by visiting companies from near and far, all year round. Built on the site of the City’s first swimming pool, every show makes a splash.
14 Bride Lane EC4Y 8EQ
sbf.org.uk
City Music Foundation
The City Music Foundation hosts regular concerts in intimate settings, played by talented musicians. The wealth of talent is impressive, so be sure to check the website for this week’s musical masterpiece.
St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, West Smithfield EC1A 7BE
citymusicfoundation.org
City of London Distillery
The City has long been a lover of gin, and during the Gin Craze of the 18th century, there was a distillery or gin shop in every street. Today options are fewer and farther between, but the City of London Distillery is a fine spot for gin tasting, gin making workshops and private hire.
22-24 Bride Lane EC4Y 8DT
cityoflondondistillery.com
Sky Garden
Ready to spy London from the clouds? The Sky Garden offers 360 degree views across the City from the capital’s highest public garden. The green-trimmed observation deck at the Walkie Talkie building includes multiple options for food and drink, if you were ever hungry for more.
Fenchurch Building EC3M 8AF
skygarden.london
The City Centre
Home to the City’s official architectural model and the place to learn all about the built environment of the Square Mile.
80 Basinghall Street EC2V 5AR
thecitycentre.london
Guildhall Art Gallery
Home to a range of paintings and artfeact documenting London’s dramatic history, including the William Charter, 1067, which tells us what happened when William I reached London after the Battle of Hastings.
Guildhall Yard EC2V 5AE
cityoflondon.gov.uk
Tower Bridge
Peak inside and discover the stories behind the engineering, people, architecture and the city that built London’s defining landmark.
towerbridge.org.uk
Tower Bridge Road SE1 2UP
Museum of London
Be taken on a journey through London’s remarkable history, from Roman Londinium to present day. With a move to West Smithfield imminent, this may be your final chance to lose yourself in London’s history at the museum’s original site.
150 London Wall EC2Y 5HN
museumoflondon.org.uk
Barbican Centre
The Barbican is Europe’s largest multi-arts and conference venue and a world-class arts and learning organisation. From pioneering film screenings to engaging art exhibitions, classical opera to stunning immersive experiences, the packed catalogue of events never leaves you short changed.
Silk Street EC2Y 8DS
barbican.org.uk
St Paul’s Cathedral
Expect to be enthralled by the wonders of the Grand Organ as it plays under the Cathedral’s great Dome, and don’t forget to trade secrets across the incredible Whispering Gallery – an absolute must when visiting this City icon.
St. Paul’s Churchyard EC4M 8AD
stpauls.co.uk
London’s Roman Amphitheatre
Step into Roman ruins where crowds once gathered to watch wild animal fights, public executions and gladiatorial Old combat for entertainment.
Guildhall Yard EC2V 5AE
cityoflondon.gov.uk
Leadenhall Market
This famed market is packed full of magic, and not just because of it’s starring role in the Harry Potter series. Keep an eye out for the lively events calendar, as there is always something spellbinding to catch at Diagon Alley.
Gracechurch Street EC3V 1LT
leadenhallmarket.co.uk
Spitalfields Market
These traders are lively and there’s nothing quite like rummaging through a sea of stalls on a lazy afternoon. Besides the shopping, there’s plenty of art installations and live performances to catch, so stay glued to the events section of the market’s website.
56 Brushfield Street E1 6AA
spitalfields.co.uk
Borough Market
Do we really need to make an introduction here? Borough Market is an elite-tier shopping destination for those who live and work in central London, not least for its tasty stacked menu of food and drink specialists. Between the culinary delights and expert local artisan makers, there is something for all tastes, and with a busy events programme providing the foil, there is never a dull moment.
8 Southwark Street SE1 1TL
boroughmarket.org.uk
Whitecross Street
This sizable stretch between Old Street and the Barbican is billed as ‘Bitecross’ Street for the slew of food stalls that set up to feed the hoards of hungry workers from nearby Shoreditch and Clerkenwell. A plethora of shops also await, with vintage clothes and accessories plus lots of contemporary art tempting shoppers to part with their hard earneds.
Whitecross Street EC1Y 8JL
The Monument
Climb The Monument’s 311 steps to enjoy 360 degree views from London’s most historic attraction.
Fish Street Hill EC3R 8AH
themonument.info
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