A Guided Tour of the City of London - 1.5 Hours of Fascinating Sights, History, Stories and more.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2025
- Join me on a sunny April day in London, for a 90 minute guided walk through the streets of the City, the historic heart of London which is not quite the same as Greater London.
The City is a roughly 1 square mile separate administrative district from Greater London, containing the remains of 2000 years of history, from the ancient Roman town walls of Londinium, up to the most modern-looking glass skyscrapers.
Of course we can't see everything in just 90 minutes, so this is just a selection of sights, but I aim to post more vids in the future.
-Ignore me saying it's a 2 hour walk at the start, it turned out 90mins in the end :)
Thank you SO much for this video! For the last several weeks I've been "touring" London through VR (Wander App) and various videos. I wish I had stumbled upon yours FIRST. I'm only 17 minutes in and have learned so much! It would've made my VR travels (no sound) so much more enjoyable (I really enjoyed them even so) I am in the U.S. from Kentucky. Unless someone leaves me a large amount of money - my travel will have to be vicariously through VR and videos. So, thank you so much for this wonderful tour. Except for the smells, tastes and feels - I feel like I've "been" to London.
Just curious - in my "touring" I've noticed that the names of streets are on the sides or corners of buildings rather than on poles. Is there a particular reason or just because?
Thanks Edward - wonderful walk. Australian here - lived in England in the mid 1990s and was last back for a visit in 2015. Thanks from bringing back fond memories
Hi! I live in Philadelphia, PA USA. I've been to London a few times, but it's been 23 years since I last saw her. I will be visiting in Oct/Nov of 2023 and can't wait to see it again. Thanks for the video!
Thanks for the refresher on your city, from Wisconsin, USA.
Any tour of London is fascinating to me. Although I was born in Sutton, Surrey (now in Greater London), my father was born in Surrey (Thornton Heath), my grandfather born in Kent (Plumstead) my greatgrandfather was born in Bermondsey, as was his father and his grandfather born in Marylebone. This last ancestor was born in 1777 and did his apprenticeship as a Waterman, as did his son, who eventually switched jobs to be a Corn Meter for the City of London. I am sure he would have seen a lot of these older buildings in the mid 19th century. His son (my great grandfather) went onto start his own business as a corn merchant and it was kept in the family until my father and his brother closed it in the 1980s. They were members of the London Corn Exchange and I remember visiting the exchange with my dad in the 60s in Mark Lane (now a pub I think).
Surprised you did not mention "The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street" as the nickname for the Bank of England. My dad used to tell me Old Father Thames lived in Mansion House!
I love the contrast between ancient, old and modern architecture in that area. I remember seeing the "avante-garde" Lloyds Building in the late 80s and was amazed by it. Wouldn't it be great if time travel existed and we could go back and get our ancestors and bring them back to now to see how their world had changed.
Great to see new content, I’ve enjoyed all of your videos. Thank you.
Surrey, United Kingdom
Hello Edward! I live in Eugene, Oregon USA. I've been to London once just 12 days after the Queens passing. London is by far my favorite destination. Wish I could have had you as a tour guide. Your knowledge and insight is amazing!
I am French have been to London many times, love it and in particular the city of London, your video was fascinating, thoroughly enjoyed it. Michele.
Well, you asked for comments!
I'm viewing this from New Zealand. Lived in the UK for 12 years. Great tour, never really did this part of London. Very detailed, so relaxing I made it audio and, weirdly, listen to it to relax and sleep! Great work
I was in the area of St. Paul’s the Wednesday before you made this video. I wish I had had the benefit of your knowledge then. Excellent video and I look forward to returning to London armed with this new information. Thank you from Salt Lake City, UT,USA.
I am not bored at all. Watching from Sydney Australia. Hope to come over soon. Love it. 😊
I live in UK but fascinated by London and history and also helps to update my knowledge before a trip, thank-you.
Just discovered your very comprehensive, entertaining tour of the City of London. Lots of interesting details, history, and photography included and I was very interested and entertained throughout the tour. I am Canadian and have had the pleasure of visiting London on five separate occasions but as you know, one never tires of London and it’s story, but it’s impossible to see it and learn all about with the occasional visits. Great job!
It’s refreshing to hear a Brit who understands the crucial importance of the London finance sector to British history and the UK’s current economic viability.
SO GLAD YOU ARE BACK.
You are very good......and believe me I watch a lot of london history videos. ETC.
THANK YOU😊
Best London walking tour video. (also loved anglo-saxon poem)
Bravo Edward! Thank you for your fascinating and enlightening walk through London with macabre and amusing stories. Beautifully narrated and altogether captivating. Xxxx❤
Worked in London for several months in 2009.I never tired of its history, museums, public art and greenspace. You could spend weeks in The City and not see it all. Thanks for your excellent walking tour (on a beautiful cool spring day). Houston, Texas.
I have enjoyed your videos so much; I am of mixed London/ Kentish and Huguenot stock. I have travelled all over the world with my career, and your documentaries are by far the best I’ve ever seen. I lived, for a time, in Kensington, on Gloucester Walk, and was thus situated in a lovely central location. Years later, I now live in Dorset. I will share this video with my friends and colleagues. You deserve recognition for your really lovely and interesting work. Thank you!
Very enjoyable! Michigan, USA
Lovely Edward. I haven't been to London for a few years and i thought I knew some things, but not enough! Brilliant "tour" Thank you ❤
Watching from Chicago, this was such an awesome tour thank you! Visiting London in April 2025 and will definitely stop at these locations
Looking forward to being in UK next year on another trip home . I will always love the City of London ❤ always one of my favorite cities in the world. 🎉
Really enjoyed your walking tour of London 🎉🎉 excellent historical facts and stories . Very Enjoyable and educational as well as highly entertaining. Seeing London through the eyes of history to present day
I have never put a comment - ever! But your videos are the best mix of history, art with both an academic and popular angle - thanks much. SF, CA
This was so fascinating. Thank you for sharing your extensive knowledge in such an easy to digest and enjoyable way.
Loved your video! I'm from the USA and hope to get to London some day. Your video made me want to go there that much more, so interesting, what an amazing place! Thank you!
Thanks for the fascinating tour of London. To think that this city, or its earliest incarnation, existed at the same time as the ancient city of Rome at its height is simply mind-boggling. I've always been fascinated with the history of this city, and your video has only whetted my appetite to learn more!
Aloha from Hawaii !!! I've enjoyed your videos and greatly appreciated this one. Mahalo for sharing your knowledge. Looking forward to seeing more videos and visiting London in person.
I've lived in Toronto for 20 years but I grew up in England and I'm English first always lol . I've learnt some really fascinating and new facts stories about the streets of London 🎉🎉
I spent most of life in Crawley, and used to visit London quite a lot. Always enjoyed it. Thanks for your upload, much appreciated 👍
Bravo 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏
One of the best blogs I have seen on the History of London.
Enjoying very much and sharing with friends.
Subscribed and looking forward to seeing more
Well done 👏 👍
Love these blogs where the video follows the narrator as they walk down Piccadilly's famous alleyways and around the Circus!
I'd love to be the one taking the picture of this incredible building, with the cathedral in the background, from this perspective! Cool!
Great to see a new video Edward. I'v been watching many of your past videos. great job! Eugene, Oregon, USA.
Great tour of the city and very informative, thanks for posting
I really enjoyed your tour. As a French having a rather good knowledge of London, I learnt a lot of interesting details. When I visit London again, soon I hope, it would be a pleasure to follow you in your perigrinations in town.
I have throughly enjoyed your video. A Londoner here always willing to learn more about this fascinating city. Thank you!
Very enjoyable. I started out specifically looking for Charles Dickens’ London, but since I live in the US and have never been to London, it was a great introduction.
I’m about to start this walk, just fuelling up with some pastries and a coffee on the south side. Just wanted to say thanks for uploading
Absolutely fantastic tour, gonna be using your knowledge when I come to London next time.
Great tour of London! Really enjoyed it. (As well as your other TH-cams) Looking forward to your next efforts. would be great to see one of Edinburgh?
Very enjoyable. I lived in London for 2 yrs back in the mid 80s, but like a lot of similar kiwis and Aussies that did that , we were a bit young to appreciate the history, plus we were either at work, on the underground, or in a pub. I know most of the landmarks,but should have walked some more than I did.
Really enjoyable, informative and pretty good camerawork too. @1:02:56 Bank of England architect was Sir John Soane whose eponymous museum in Lincoln Inns Fields Holborn is a uniquely odd and incredibly wonderful house crammed full of his collection of art, antiquities and peculiar stuff !
Fascinating loved the walk ..we are watching from Dallas Texas …have recommend your channel to all my friends and fam thank you ..keep up the great work
It's fascinating to see the modern juxtaposed with historic mentions! Thanks for telling it like it is
great informative tour,,,
you have must devotion and passion.... :P
I’m going to London this September and now doing research about it. Your guiding is very informative and interesting. Furthermore,your talk is pretty easy for non-English speakers like me to listen to . I’m delighted I found your channel!
Appreciate this amazing narrative. Thanks. Interesting lesser known places and stories, making London more enchanting ❤
Glad to see another post! Do you have any info about the life and work of Joseph Paxton? A vote from me without any expectation. Thanks for your work! Really enjoy listening to these on my days off.
I really enjoyed the tour. I've never been to London so it is a great introduction to places I hope to see next year. I'm looking forward to more of your tours.
Just found this one and such a great channel. I been visiting London on regular bases but this was so joyful and informative walking tour. Thanks Happy subscriber 👍
thank you for the amazing video! we would like to see more City of London videos!
Really enjoyed this thank you. Love to see and learn more of London. So much history!
Enjoying this from northwest Florida! I really hope to visit London one of these days.
Fascinating history, I live in kilburn near what was known as Watling street, the old Roman road to st Albans, Kilbun means Royal stream, folk used to come to drink the water as it was cleaner than in the City.
Wonderful tour of an amazing, historic yet very contemporary city. Informed, relaxed and charming. Very well-done Edward. Thank you.
Excellent information 👍👊👊👍😎
Great informative and entertaining walk, thanks! (Venezuelan living in London)
Watching from San Diego, Ca. My grandfather was from England so I’ve always been interested and curious about England.
Interesting to learn that William The Conqueror could beat out any amount of military power on the battlefield - but he couldn't defeat the subtle power of money! It was ever thus. Thanks for this tour. I'm a Brit. I've been to various bits of this but got lost last time,didn't know how it all joined up!
The City of London is my favourite walk when I'm there, too. This is a beautiful video. I'm bringing my 10yr old niece there in September. We're going to go the opposite direction because I love pausing on London Bridge to see the place where...if it didn't exist, there's a possibility London wouldn't. I want her to see the amphitheatre and Mithraem because you're always on borrowed time with a kid before they say that it's a sucky tour and she wants to go to M&M World. She also wants to climb the monument so we'll start at the London Bridge end. Hopefully we'll make it to St Paul's though.
Great to see you making videos again, Edward! And also great to see you (even if from a distance) in the park the other day. Would be great to sit down for a coffee and catch up one of these days.
Thank you Edward, very interesting and informative
Good to see you making content again! 🎉
Wow, absolutely amazing video with so much in depth history. Really enjoyed it and now clamouring for more. I worked in London for around 30 years and enjoyed seeing the familiar and also unknown knooks and crannies. I learnt so much. Thank you!
That was amazing very informative Have to watch it again and make notes BTW I'm from Boston Massachusetts
Stunning video. Thank you
This is an excellent video
Always fascinated with London, especially The City. For a time, I worked in the New Scotland Yard and in my spare time I visited many of the sights you have shown here. Thanks for a wonderful tour.
Now living in Arizona, USA
Amazing video, Cheers 🍺🍺
Truly brilliant to see you back on TH-cam Edward with another great video albeit with a new format. Looking forward to more of your very interesting content.
Your tour was great, seriously. The only disappointment was that the tour ended. I wish I'd had you as my guide when I vacationed in London but you may have been annoyed by my many questions. I think I remember seeing a statue of Thomas Gresham somewhere else in London, maybe on the Strand? I think Gresham started the Stock Exchange. Thank you so much for producing and sharing this informative video. I'm hailing from Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. ( correction: apparently the statue is on Holborn Viaduct )
I’m in California watching your vidio , we will be visiting on the 20th of November can’t wate
Street names that change every block. Fingerprints on shop door windows. Dialects straight out of "Snatch". However, Chelsea and S. Kensington are really lovely. London is a riddle inside a mystery, all to the contrary.
Interesting to see payphone boxes. Haven't seen a pay phone here in the states for many years😅
More videos please
Hello...are you still doing London Tours? Many thanks .Franklin.
Love the City but my favourite part of the tour was the special appearance by Tom Cruise at 1:25:05 😎🤩😆
Tom Cruise and Ben Affleck 😂
The agreement that the City of London can ‘maintain its ancient liberties and free customs both on land and by water’ is also in clause 13 of Magna Carta.
st Michaels cornhill quite interesting and still in use, church of england, anglican
Btw, you seemed to be slightly concerned about your video/filming technique when you have no reason to be. You have struck just the right balance of combining very interesting snippets of history coupled with your jolly delivery with perfect filming which feels like you're actually doing the walk. Don't change!!....Also, it seems Simpson's Tavern has recently shut due to the landlord pulling the plug! Very sad.
Lovely video but the lack of connection to the slave trade is confusing. So much detail even about hooks but something as signifiant as the slave trade is missed is amazing. Why was the pub named after Jamaica for instance?
Is there any way you could post more stuff ???you post such fascinating stuff !! I don’t mind paying if you start a go fund me or if you have a cash app
London is like a giant shopping mall/building site totally inhabited by foreigners.
the monarchy and the crown are two different powers, lets say.. . just by the by .. the square miler of london like washinton DC both are city states, as too is the vatican
P R O M O S M 😳
Oh you all fount of knowledge, please start your own blog! Some of your pithy comments on TH-cam are hysterical! They deserve a wider audience, don't you think?
they are forcing simpsons to close, (greedy landlord)
Looks grim. Come to the north west of england.
Great video.
Love this. Very informative. What an incredible city.