Area Guides

Area facts

• Home to the largest financial centre in Europe
• A thriving business sector made up of 90% SMEs
• Extremely well-connected via the London Underground

Your guide to the City of London

History and modernity meet in London’s Square Mile – one of the most iconic and in-demand areas of the capital.

Overview

The City of London is the epicentre around which Greater London sprawls. Often referred to as the Square Mile, as it’s 1.12 square miles in size, or simply the City, it’s home to the primary central business district of London. But it’s also one of the most historical areas of the capital and is filled with cultural and leisure attractions. In any corner of this area of London, you’ll find modern skyscrapers towering over the remnants of medieval alleys.

It’s a globally-relevant financial centre, with over 500 banks calling the Square Mile home and more than 40% of all of the world’s foreign exchange transactions being made here. And its importance in the financial sector makes it a hotbed of business activity for many other sectors too. Despite the relatively high price tag of office space in the City, it still attracts tens of thousands of small businesses thanks to its sheer importance and outstanding transport connections.

Story

Of all of the areas of London, the City has the most illustrious story. It was founded by the Romans in the first century AD as Londinium, and played an important part in sustaining their empire as a bustling port.

Much later on in its history, after various ups and downs throughout the Medieval period, the Great Fire of London ravaged the City in 1666. It caused significant damage and prompted a rebuild of huge swathes of the City, pioneered by Christopher Wren.

The Square Mile was again decimated during the Blitz of WWII. The destruction caused by these events are the reason for the City’s current form – where modern buildings stand over ancient ones in a stunning show of architectural contrast.

The City has seen some of modern history’s most famous names pass through it. It was the birthplace of John Keats, the stalking grounds of Jack the Ripper, the site of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, and the setting for Winston Churchill’s funeral.

Industry

The City of London is arguably the financial capital of the world. It’s home to both the London Stock Exchange and the Bank of England, as well as 500 other banks. Despite its tiny size, it accounts for roughly 2% of the UK’s GDP because of its centrality to the global financial services sector.

It’s not just finance businesses that call the City home, though. Many notable global companies across a range of sectors have headquarters there, including Aviva, BT, Unilever, and four ‘Magic Circle’ law firms.

Surprisingly though, it’s not global corporations and financial giants that dominate the City, but SMEs. Over 90% of office occupiers in the square mile have less than 250 employees, spread across media, tech, and other sectors.

Transport

As you’d expect given its importance, the City is extremely well-connected through the Tube. It’s served by the Central, Circle, District, Northern, Waterloo & City, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan lines, offering connections to anywhere else you need to be in Greater London.

Notable Tube stations in the area include Aldgate, Bank, Liverpool Street, and Moorgate. There are also National Rail services available from Liverpool Street, making the City easily commutable from outside of London.

Things to do

Culture

St Paul’s Cathedral – One of the most iconic attractions in the City and the seat of the Bishop of London, St Paul’s is a stunning feature that’s always worth a visit.

Museum of London – The Museum of London is a free-entry museum chronicling the stories of the UK’s capital, from prehistory to modernity – a great lunch-break time-pass.

Shopping

Leadenhall Market – Leadenhall Market is part-Victorian icon and part retail destination, filled with independent shops and high-end brand stores.

One New Change – One of the City’s newest retail centres, One New Change houses three floors of high street stores and is a great one-stop-shop.

Food & drink

Duck & Waffle – British and European cuisine served 40 stories up with a magnificent view over the City, and did we mention it’s open 24 hours?

Curators Coffee Studio – Sometimes touted as the best coffee in the City, Curators is based in Leadenhall Market and is the ideal spot for gourmet brews and snacks.