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City of London Itinerary: Historical Sites & Secret Gardens

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A historic itinerary in the City of London filled with old streets, hidden courtyards, secret gardens, church ruins and gorgeous Italianate buildings!

Loaded with hidden gems, the City of London also wins the award for being the oldest neighborhood in London, and the one from which the Great Fire of London of 1666 started, decimating the area all the way to Barbican and Holborn.

Today, I am taking you to discover the City of London, its landmarks, tiny alleys and secret churches.

From the Reflection Garden to the St Dunstan in the East church ruins, the City of London proves an amazing place to understand more about London’s history.

City of London Itinerary: Historical Sites & Secret Gardens

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The City of London is famous for being home to many iconic London landmarks, spanning from St Paul’s Cathedral to the Monument to the Great Fire of London, or even the Tower of London.

Few people know that the beautiful neighborhood, also called the Square Mile, also houses many secret statues, gorgeous buildings and even sculptures that will remind you greatly of Italian culture.

In addition, the City of London is where you will find many of London’s secret church gardens, which is easily understandably as many of the churchyards destroyed during the Great Fire of London were then turned into gardens.

Now known as the financial heart of London, in which you will find yourself by stopping at Liverpool Street or Bank on the Central Line, the City of London offers plenty of gorgeous sights you should not miss:

For now, discover all the amazing – and free things you can do in the City of London in a perfect itinerary!

Best Things to Do in the City of London: St Dunstan in the East

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We are starting our itinerary at St Dunstan in the East, which, like many churches in the City of London, was destroyed during the Great Fire of London of 1666, and suffered further damage during the World War II Blitz.

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The ruins of the church, originally a Saxon church dedicated to St Dunstan, were turned into a secret garden from which we can still enjoy views of the outer walls and the tower, a peaceful place to write, read, or enjoy a picnic.

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St Dunstan in the East is, in addition, one of my favorite places to admire autumn foliage in London – climbing ivy and reddish tree leaves contrast beautifully with the church’s Gothic ruins.

Read: A Quirky Bookish Itinerary in London

Best Hidden Gems in the City of London: Free Rooftop at Horizon 22

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On the way to discover ever more hidden gems in the historic area, we will stop by Horizon 22.

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Opened a few months ago, Horizon 22 is a completely free rooftop located a couple of minutes away from Bank station – and currently one of the highest viewpoints in Europe.

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You can either book online or with a QR code at the bottom of the building, and will be able to enjoy free views of London’s landmarks; skyscrapers at Canary Wharf, Tower Bridge, the Shard, and many more spots!

Read: Morocco in London: An Unusual Itinerary to Moroccan Places

Best Things to Do in the City of London: The Royal Exchange, Bank

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Then, we will pop by the Royal Exchange, a striking building in the heart of the financial district opened by Queen Victoria in 1844.

The building, a former hub for merchants and brokers, is not the same structure built by Sir Thomas Gresham in 1565, since the original Royal Exchange was destroyed by the Great Fire of London in 1666.

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While it once served as a central trading floor, the Royal Exchange has transformed into a dining and shopping spot, in which you will find a branch of the famous Fortnum & Mason department store, among other high-end boutiques and cafes.

The exterior is nothing short of breathtaking; inspired by the Pantheon in Rome, it features Italianate columns and ornate detailing, while you can admire, inside, a grand glass roof.

Read: How to Spend 3 Days in London: A Fun Itinerary

Best Hidden Gems in the City of London: St. Stephen’s Walbrook

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A few steps away from the Royal Exchange, St Stephen’s Walbrook is a church I discovered a few months ago, and it’s a gem for any history enthusiast.

Originally dating back to 1096, the medieval church, like the Royal Exchange and St. Dunstan in the East, was destroyed in the Great Fire of London.

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However, St Stephen’s Walbrook was one of the first churches to be rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren, with the new structure completed in 1679.

I stumbled upon this hidden church while wandering around the City of London.

Despite frequently taking the bus from London Bridge to Bank and then from Bank to Mile End, I had never noticed it before.

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St Stephen’s Walbrook not only boasts a stunning dome and fascinating architecture but also hides a secret courtyard at the back – the winding streets behind the church will inexorably take you back in time.

Read: Paris in London: An Unusual Itinerary to French Places in London

Best Things to Do in the City of London: Tivoli Corner

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Located a few steps away from Bank station on the Central Line, the Tivoli Corner is one of the hidden gems hidden in plain sight in the City of London – a place I love spending time at to enjoy its beautiful architecture.

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Designed by renowned architect Sir John Soane, whose house in Lincoln’s Inn Fields has been turned into a free museum, the Tivoli Corner makes the corner between Princes Street and Lothbury, and one of the best places to admire a Neoclassical type of architecture in the city.

Read: Dark Academia in London: A Secret London Itinerary

Best Hidden Gems in the City of London: Atlas House Sculpture

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On King Street, one of the prettiest streets in the City of London, the Atlas House is a curious sight – another Neoclassical building, one of many that characterize the area, and topped with a sculpture of Atlas carrying the Earth.

The Italianate building has been the headquarters of the Atlas Assurance Company since 1807, a life and fire insurance company, and makes for a cool spot to admire while walking around the City of London.

Read: How to Spend 24 Hours in London: A Full Itinerary

Best Hidden Gems in the City of London: St Pancras Church Gardens

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Lost somewhere in the midst of the City of London, a few minutes from Atlas House, the St Pancras Church Gardens were established on the site of the Church of St Pancras, destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666.

Like St Dunstan in the East, the Reflection Garden at St Paul’s or Greyfriars Christ Church, it is another one of the former church sites turned into a secret garden.

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St Pancras Church Gardens, however, enjoyed a more artistic evolution.

In 2012, Studio Weave worked in collaboration with City & Guilds of London Art School to create benches in a Romanesque style, connecting the history and architecture of the destroyed church.

Find here my guide to St Pancras Church Gardens in the City; an unexpected garden filled with carved benches and medieval sculptures.

Best Things to Do in the City of London: Watling Street

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Whenever I make my way to St Paul’s from Bank station, I make it a point to walk down Watling Street – and that’s not only because we’re here in one of the oldest streets in London.

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No, that’s also because you will find a few great cafes in and around Watling Street, which include Konditor, a cute bakery which traditional and avant-garde recipes, as well as Host Cafe, a coffee shop hidden inside the St Mary Aldermary church just a few steps away.

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For those looking for photo spots in London, the historic Watling Street offers a beautiful view of St Paul’s Cathedral, which a Diagon Alley atmosphere which makes it a must-visit for Harry Potter lovers.

Read: The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Spitalfields, East London

Best Hidden Gems in the City of London: The Reflection Garden

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A secret garden established on the site of a church destroyed in the Great Fire of London, the Reflection Garden is one of my first choices when I want a cute spot to have a picnic with a view.

St Paul’s Cathedral reflected in the small pond in the center of the Reflection Garden makes for a striking photo spot, and one of London’s most romantic places.

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There are a few benches scattered around the garden, and once you’re done admiring the view, snapping shots or having your snack (or all three together), you can then make your way to Greyfriars Christ Church to enjoy further church ruins.

Read: The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Liverpool Street, East London

Best Hidden Gems in the City of London: Greyfriars Christ Church

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If you’re interested in exploring more of London’s hidden church gardens, make sure to spend some time at Greyfriars Christ Church to enjoy a breath of fresh air.

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Another place that suffered damages throughout time, the church was first established in 1225 by Franciscans, known as the Grey Friars, dissolved during the Reformation under Henry VIII, and destroyed by the Great Fire of London and the Blitz in World War II.

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Greyfriars Christ Church is one of my favorite places to visit when I want to take a step back in time; if you easily get stressed by the London life, the garden is so quiet that you can gather your thoughts in your own time, while reflecting on how fleeting life is.

Read: The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Multicolor Places in London

Best Things to Do in the City of London: Paternoster Square and Five Stone Angels by Emily Young

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Not too far from Greyfriars Christchurch, you’ll find St Paul’s Cathedral, an iconic landmark you simply can’t miss while exploring the City of London.

St Paul’s is surrounded by hidden gems, including Paternoster Square, a stunning piazza with neoclassical architecture that offers a local charm.

One delightful secret of Paternoster Square is its collection of sculptures by Gillie and Marc, depicting endangered animals several times during the year.

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These sculptures can also be found in art trails around London, including London Bridge and More London, and other locations such as Paddington.

Another hidden gem facing St Paul’s Cathedral on Ludgate Hill are the five stone angels by sculptor Emily Young, whose works can also be found in Salisbury Cathedral, St Pancras New Church on Euston Road, and various other locations around the world.

Best Things to Do in the City of London: Fleet Street

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Once we’re done admiring the beautiful Paternoster Square, let’s make our way to Fleet Street.

The long, oh-so-very-long and historic Fleet Street was once known as the beating heart of Britain’s newspaper and journalistic industry, and was a street in which printing began as early as the 16th century.

Fleet Street is in my opinion one of the most beautiful streets in London.

Indeed, if you combine the secret churches dotted along the street, such as St Bride’s Church and its crypt, the sculptures and the old newspaper names still visible on some buildings, it’s indeed a place to see absolutely.

Read: The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Canary Wharf, East London

Best Hidden Gems in the City of London: Temple Area and Temple Church

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Somewhere along Fleet Street is hidden one of the oldest churches of London, Temple Church, established in the 12th century by the Knights Templar.

This is a place I have talked about a number of times here, as Temple Church and the surrounding winding paths, hidden courtyards (Hare Court is a must-visit!), gorgeous buildings and the central Fountain Court all make for the cutest places to have a romantic date.

The area around Temple Church is home to two of the four Inns of Court, the Inner Temple and the Middle Temple.

Gardens there are manicured, and for those who are spending spring or summer in London, this cluster of secret buildings is but admirable.

Read here my guide to the historic Temple area and its hidden gems, from Fountain Court to the secret poetic sundial in Elm Court, photogenic columns facing Temple Church and more.

Best Things to Do in the City of London: Lincoln’s Inn Chapel

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Down Fleet Street when walking from St Paul’s, you will find somewhere on the right the historic Cliffords Inn; enter, and somewhere in the large yet secret park, you will encounter a gorgeous hidden gem…

Lincoln’s Inn Chapel.

The chapel is yet another one of my favorite free historical sites in London, and an integral part of Lincoln’s Inn, one of the four Inns of Court of the city.

The chapel itself was built between 1620 and 1623, and designed by Inigo Jones, a prominent architect of the time whose name might ring a bell, since he also designed Covent Garden Piazza.

Stained glass windows and memorial plaques commemorating barristers, judges and treasurers of Lincoln’s Inn, imposing columns under the chapel, and intricate woodwork…

These are only a few highlights of the chapel, and there are no words to depict how strongly I recommend a visit there.

Read: The Curious Traveler’s Guide to London’s Instagrammable Places

Best Things to Do in the City of London: Postman’s Park

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The Postman’s Park, with its Watts memorial to self-sacrifice built in 1900, a wall covered in ceramic plaques, is another place to visit in the City of London if you want to get off the beaten path for a bit.

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We’re neither too far from St Paul’s nor too far from Lincoln’s Inn Chapel, and this secret park, with its neat curves and views on the surrounding Victorian buildings, always makes for a peaceful place to visit to enjoy some nature in London.

Read: The Curious Traveler’s Guide to London’s Street Art Neighborhoods

Best Hidden Gems in the City of London: St Giles Cripplegate

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We will end our itinerary closer to Central London; as we visit Cripplegate, we are indeed in the Barbican neighborhood.

St Giles Cripplegate is one of the remaining medieval churches in the City of London, and one of the only which not only survived the Great Fire of London, but also the WWII Blitz.

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Facing St Giles Cripplegate and its gorgeous mix of architectural styles, we find on the other side of the artificial lake, the Barbican Centre and a collection of other Brutalist buildings which characterize the Barbican area.

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If St Giles Cripplegate is famous for its connection to historical figures, like poet John Milton, the Cripplegate area in itself is also one to visit to admire ruins of the Roman London Wall.

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The London Wall walk is one I love to embark on from time to time, and one that will take you around Noble Street, closer to the Museum of London, all the way to Aldgate, closer to East London.

Read: The Guide to London’s Secret and Free Museums

Best Things to Do in the City of London: St Alphage Church Ruins

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Located juSt about 5 minutes away from St Giles Cripplegate using the St Alphage Highwalk, the St Alphage Church ruins are some of the best-preserved medieval ruins in London, and belong to a church which dates back to the 12th century.

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Demolished in the 16th century, the remainder of St Alphage Church is now a landmark of the Barbican neighborhood, and one that actually offers way more than simple church ruins.

Indeed, the place has been turned into a cute little garden, in which you can spot a huge piece of the London Wall.

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And behind the London Wall, you’ll find yet another one of Central London’s secret gardens, the Salter’s Garden, which its vases, pergolas, its small pond and benches which make for a quiet spot to read and reflect.

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PS. Since we’re not that far from the Museum of London, I would recommend you spare some time to visit and admire the historic collection of fabrics, textiles and costumes – it’s completely free and is part of my Fashion in London itinerary!

Read: The Prettiest Villages in London

City of London Itinerary: Historical Sites & Secret Gardens

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Thus finishes our itinerary in the City of London – from secret gardens to historic courtyards, this very central neighborhood is one which holds surprises at every corner..

The fact that the City of London is the oldest spot in London has always attracted me very much since you’ll find plenty of aesthetic buildings there, immaculate streets and even the odd sculpture, adding to the City of London’s already well-established charm.

When we are done following this itinerary, if you still have energy to discover more of the historic London, one neighborhood you absolutely cannot miss is the Smithfield area.

Still complete with medieval structures, and still housing the City of London’s oldest house at 41-42 Cloth Fair, Smithfield is another area which just keeps on giving, and worth every minute you’re willing to give it!