A Guided Tour of the City of London - 1.5 Hours of Fascinating Sights, History, Stories and more.

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 :)

[@tonybaker55]

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.

[@metanoia8088]

Wonderful tour of an amazing, historic yet very contemporary city. Informed, relaxed and charming. Very well-done Edward. Thank you.

[@hermionegardener3796]

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!

[@cindyking5035]

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.

[@cindyking5035]

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?

[@tat2dbassist]

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!

[@garyrebholz4139]

Thanks for the refresher on your city, from Wisconsin, USA.

[@andreagrant8117]

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

[@pascalclaus9423]

Great to see new content, I’ve enjoyed all of your videos. Thank you. Surrey, United Kingdom

[@johnfolds5087]

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.

[@aisle_of_view]

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.

[@Tirebouchon325]

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.

[@adamhay3826]

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

[@michaelwillis9190]

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.

[@CasperLCat]

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.

[@aliciafarrugia9495]

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.

[@floridapanhandling3136]

Enjoying this from northwest Florida! I really hope to visit London one of these days.

[@nanasuz7]

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.

[@bahadirunal7509]

thank you for the amazing video! we would like to see more City of London videos!

[@wendischofield4543]

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!

[@davywavy2141]

Thank you Edward, very interesting and informative

[@alwayslearning4127]

Very enjoyable! Michigan, USA

[@meredithjensen6918]

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

[@mabdub]

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 )

[@alb9070]

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.

[@christinemay859]

This was so fascinating. Thank you for sharing your extensive knowledge in such an easy to digest and enjoyable way.

[@janebaker966]

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!

[@kimgarrett8485]

Great tour of London! Really enjoyed it. (As well as your other KZbins) Looking forward to your next efforts. would be great to see one of Edinburgh?

[@sabascaracas]

Great informative and entertaining walk, thanks! (Venezuelan living in London)

[@shirleyho-woo9196]

Appreciate this amazing narrative. Thanks. Interesting lesser known places and stories, making London more enchanting ❤

[@NoheaAlii68]

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.

[@TracyPicabia]

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 !

[@RobMutch]

Great to see a new video Edward. I'v been watching many of your past videos. great job! Eugene, Oregon, USA.

[@bodaciousbiker]

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!

[@Tob2n]

I have throughly enjoyed your video. A Londoner here always willing to learn more about this fascinating city. Thank you!

[@jardon8636]

great informative tour,,, you have must devotion and passion.... :P

[@rose2fame1]

Watching from San Diego, Ca. My grandfather was from England so I’ve always been interested and curious about England.

[@michelchevalier6011]

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.

[@rihardhedley4066]

SO GLAD YOU ARE BACK. You are very good......and believe me I watch a lot of london history videos. ETC. THANK YOU😊

[@ernestwilbur188]

That was amazing very informative Have to watch it again and make notes BTW I'm from Boston Massachusetts

[@lynnmiller325]

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.

[@alanwake5927]

More videos please

[@jane-margaret3299]

Really enjoyed this thank you. Love to see and learn more of London. So much history!

[@sanjinloncaric1798]

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.

[@michaelcoughlin]

Good to see you making content again! 🎉

[@CavemanDav3]

Love the City but my favourite part of the tour was the special appearance by Tom Cruise at 1:25:05 😎🤩😆

[@valpayne2963]

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!

[@michaelcollins7313]

Truly brilliant to see you back on KZbin Edward with another great video albeit with a new format. Looking forward to more of your very interesting content.

[@pffffffffft406]

Love this. Very informative. What an incredible city.

[@franklinox1]

Hello...are you still doing London Tours? Many thanks .Franklin.

[@stewall101]

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

[@michellezoe4596]

Interesting to see payphone boxes. Haven't seen a pay phone here in the states for many years😅

[@TheShahofBaltimore]

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

[@michaelcollins7313]

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.

[@paulgraystone4919]

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

[@joaquin6957]

P R O M O S M 😳

[@aidenwhelan2560]

Looks grim. Come to the north west of england.

[@garbeal2397]

Great video.