One of the most ancient sites in the City of London (4K)

[@thelastpilot4582]

In the early 1950's My father ( a Wood machinist) turned the wooden ball used on the chain of one of the Gog Magog statues in the Guild Hall.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

That’s an amazing fact many thanks for sharing

[@lesleysmith2166]

I live in America but am still a Brit. Your walks make me so homesick especially the London walks.

[@skp7577]

I worked for the Corporation of the City of London in the early 70s. I’d go in to my office via the door in the building with the angled roof to the left of the Guildhall. We had our staff Christmas dinner in the Guildhall itself, and Gog and Magog are a magnificent sight. I’m sorry you did not get to see them. I also was shown the Great Seal, still used then, and probably now. I think they used layers of a type of communion wafer to emboss into. Many times, in my early 20s, I walked to the Bank of England, with enormous sums of cash and cheques in my shoulder bag to pay in to the Corporation’s account, as every hour counted for interest. I was so much less conspicuous then the men who, in those days, had briefcases handcuffed to their wrists. I am so sad that the magnificent Mappin and Webb building opposite the Mansion House was demolished. The replacement is not a patch on the Victorian building. I have only recently discovered your channel and have subscribed and look forward to seeing all your content.

[@motownkat3257]

You're so lucky, I envy you your job!

[@Ladynipchick2]

Lovely account, thankyou. X

[@PeterEccles]

I was lucky enough to live in The City for several years. Sunday mornings were magical, being able to walk the empty streets and discover new things. I felt very blessed for the opertunity.

[@rosiesharpley9011]

And listen out for the Church bells ringing in turn building up to the wonderful sound at St Paul's for the Angelus.

[@margaretgreenwood4243]

Snap. I lived in Stepney and on Sundays (Im 81 years old now) I would as a very young person, take a bus to the City, and run around the empty streets which I loved, as if I owned them. Dancing around and exploring. Thank you for bringing such wonderful memories to mind

[@TXMEDRGR]

I envy you the "streets littered with history." How wonderful to stumble upon various scenes of history as you walk. Thanks for showing us around this interesting part of London.

[@j0nnyism]

Try living in Edinburgh York or Chester. Cities that are so full of history it’s inescapable. Oh and Oxford of course

[@valpayne2963]

But America has an incredibly rich Native American history, which is something we don’t have.

[@TXMEDRGR]

@@j0nnyism I've been to all of those, except York, and you are correct. It must be wonderful living in those cities.

[@TXMEDRGR]

@@valpayne2963 True, I am particularly interested in the pre-Columbian Mound Building cultures and enjoy visiting places like Poverty Point in Louisiana and Mound City in Alabama.

[@CarloRossi54523]

@@valpayne2963 It's not even documented by written records

[@gloriashoemaker2429]

My daughter and I are going to London in November. We’ve been planning it for almost a year and I’ve enjoyed your videos very much. The Magna Carta is on my list. Your walks are so informative! Thanks from two California girls. Perhaps we’ll see you as we do our own London walks!

[@14caz68]

I’m a ‘local’ and shamed to say I had no idea the Magna Carter was in there. I plan now to visit. !

[@geoffpoole483]

There is a copy of the Magna Carta in Salisbury Cathedral. Runnymede, where the Magna Carta was signed is near Windsor and easily accessible from London. There is a monument placed by the American Bar Association.

[@shaunjeffries2628]

Just this very afternoon I have taken Australian friends to the Guildhall Amphitheatre. Threw in Postman's Park and the view of St Paul's from the roof of One New Change for good measure. I really can't beat the City when I want to persuade visiting friends to love London like I do.

[@lindasueanderson8024]

Few things are better than turning a random corner and gasping at what you find - thank you letting us experience it with you.

[@MrScipio72]

Dinner eaten, dishes done - cuppa sitting to my right.................now for another of Uncle Johns walks. Ahhhhh............

[@benedictmarshall7031]

It’s always an absolute pleasure listening to you on your video trails throughout London, John. You’re such a mine of information, and your videos truly open another window on the past.

[@dannyward673]

There are 2 doubles of Gog & Magog. The giant wicker ones which sit just in the corridor of the hall and you have the smaller stone ones which sit up high keeping watch over the hall. It’s a wonderful place, your walk & talk are doing great justice sir. Thank you.

[@FindsByPirjo]

I'm visiting London from Germany this September and enjoyed this first video I found from your channel. I'm going to visit Guildhall during my visit, so got a nice walk to that from here. Thank you all the information around the old London.

[@acmehorse]

I happened to be walking in the same area on my last visit to London 2019; seems ages ago! Happened to see this Shakespeare plaque. I'm more excited that I walked where you did, John!

[@stevegee7593]

It's good to see both the Guildhall Art Gallery , The Bank of England Museum, Bartholomew Lane are now free. When I last went there only people who lived or work within the City could get in Free on a Friday afternoon. My son who was around 13 (now 30) was only slightly impressed with the Roman Amphitheatre, but enjoyed looking at the pictures. Also tiring to pick the gold bar in the Banks Museum. Little did we know at that time, my 6 times grandfather was born just a short walk from the Royal Exchange, in the 1700s.

[@morriganwitch]

Such an intense vibe in that area xxx

[@kerryannestevenson6099]

Every day for the past few months I’ve thought I must ferret out John Rogers,I haven’t seen him for ages and then you popped up on my feed so I can along with you on this walk and as usual you didn’t disappoint.Thankyou John.

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

Cracking good walk John. Loved the guildhall . many thanks

[@milobell5525]

I used to spend so much time cycling through, in and around the city without stopping off to really explore so your videos are a real tonic and give me something to look forward to when i finally get out of my exile. Thanks so much.

[@estherdoyle8175]

I was sitting on the 43 bus just beside those lovely side gates at 17.44 last Friday on my way to do some mooching with my old mucker Cath. We did the area round the back of the Tower - a very short walk as my Achilles tendons were pinging - but we regularly go walkies starting from London Bridge. We've been as far as Pimlico in the freezing winter, and down to Greenwich when the tall ships were all moored up there, via Bermondsey and the fabulous story of Dr Salter in Rotherhithe. Not to mention the trip via Wapping to Canary Wharf in and out of the old pirate pubs. I'm sure you must have done walks down Borough High Street with the wonderful coaching inn and the Marshalsea and Crossbones graveyard. We met some lovely ladies from Southwark Cathedral down at the parish office and they gave us chapter and verse about the area. Anyway, back to your video today. Another old mucker used to work for Museum of London archaeology and he was there when they unearthed the colosseum under Guildhall Yard. He told us that when the pavement had to be reinstated above the Yard, the work was so dangerous and intricate that they brought in an Irishman who was more used to tunnelling in the Tubes and the big sewerage projects as he was the only one who had the knowledge and wherewithal not to either kill himself or bring the whole yard down on his head. My friend said he was the bravest man he ever met.

[@medwaypeninsulaMR]

Hi John- Way behind on your videos but had to watch this one first as it is the area I worked for over 20 years , so much to see. Cheers Kev

[@waynehicks2035]

What a great way to start my week. I woke up early this morning and thought I'd kickstart my day by watching your adventures through London. I've asked before and I'll unashamedly ask again - I would love to see you cross the river and start a walk from the southern side of London Bridge. Your curiosity and enthusiasm would lend itself perfectly to a wander around one of my favourite areas of London - Southwark, the gateway to the old City of London. Have a great week, John.

[@angelenoof206]

One of the best. Freaky how it so retains a Roman atmosphere visually. So suggestive rummaging through deep remembrance

[@jchanning72]

I work on Wood Street, and it was fascinating to see all of the history on my doorstep!

[@eddyarcher8509]

Another great walk John. I'm currently living in Italy and I'm in hospital at the moment. Thankfully got very good news today from the Docs! Your videos have been an amazing help to me,and have helped me through some extremely difficult times. I was born in Whitechapel, brought up in Hoxton and Bethnal Green, so I absolutely Love to see all the London walks, keep up the Great work, and Thanks again. Ps, I ran The Lamb and Flag in Covent Garden for 28 years with my Brother, and would love to see you do a London Pub walk sometime?🍻

[@Ladynipchick2]

Surprised this didn't get an answer. Fairly sure my brother used to frequent the lamb and flag 🤔

[@eddyarcher8509]

@Ladynipchick2 Thanks for your reply, what's your Brother's name, maybe I knew him?

[@Ladynipchick2]

@@eddyarcher8509 No, I checked with him, and he didn't know what I was talking about. Sorry to dash your hopes 😧I do wish you well though.

[@MorrisOnions06]

I used to work in the City, in the Lloyds of London Building, also on King William Street, on London Wall and other places. I nearly always took a walk around the City at lunchtime, it is a fascinating place to wander round. Your video brought back many memories.

[@janebaker966]

So you have got one of Madeleines books (Mrs Robert Henrey),there are a lot more and all evocative of their location and time. I wrote a short letter of appreciation of her work in 1987 and posted it to her son at the Henrey farm in Normandy. In the letter I called her "the chronicler of the 20th Century par excellence" her son sent me a nice short acknowledgment and said his Mother really liked my description of her. I'm missing some of your walk in typing this - but I can watch it again.

[@john80c]

Great video John. I used to mark exams in the CII building in Aldermanbury and had lunch in the mini park in Love Lane. There is a wall plaque in Wood Street which was where the first bomb of the blitz was dropped on London.

[@mrking7608]

I worked in London for over 20 years and barely scratched the surface of its history. I love your videos. About 20 yards up from the Duke of Wellington statue at Bank is another of James Henry Greathead, known for his work on the Tube. You'll see a grill around the bronze base thats actually a vent for the Tube. Keeps him warm in winter!

[@stephentreves9977]

Hi John, great video. I was the building manager at 88 Wood St (corner of Wood St and London Wall) for 8 years until 2013. I learned about the Shakespeare connection when I was visited by a City of London historical society member one day, They were lobbying for a plaque to be installed in the area. Silver St ran parallel with London wall from Wood St to the St Olaf's churchyard, along the line of what is the current reception / lobby area of the 88 Wood St building. I used to love recounting this story whenever we held our Open House days.

[@janetsherwood7210]

Always enjoy your informative walks. Thank you Mr John Rogers. Like to dream you are waking in the steps of some of my ancestors. Surnames Northrop, Holden, Nunley, Powell. Thank you again for all your walks! Blessings from East Tennessee USA.🌿🌾🌳🍃

[@alltheteam69]

Another excellent walk John. As a 13yr old Eastender, early 60s I would wander around the City with friends most weekends never really knowing it’s history. I’ve always wondered why the history of an area you live in, especially one as important and influential as London is never taught in school, it saddens me.

[@michelledavies6585]

Thank you so much for my channel. I recently found it by chance and as someone who has PTSD and anxiety but loves learning the history of places your videos bring me an abundance of information. Thank you.

[@shiprapandey43172]

A good walk through in the church and city .You made another video of good creativity The pigeon reminds me Thomas gray poem 'An elegy written in a country churchyard'.Great architecture of Guildhall.Shakespeare drama,comedy and play and poem are very famous in India 🇮🇳 😀 ❤ and at that time of Shakespeare university wits are also very famous . In English literature it is must to read Shakespeare in Indian courses.I also went to the site in description.Sir nobody can told us so much about England except you. You have a good knowledge about your country 'England' 🇬🇧. Really nice video respected sir.🙂💖💝✍👩‍💻At that time England was in control of Church Pop's rights.This is most important thing.good walk sir 👍 😀..

[@QuinctiliusVarus]

These vids help to make life worth living. No hyperbole there…just the truth.

[@peterbrittain9839]

All your City of London walks have been great but this is the best. Thank you!

[@paulhutchins6019]

Another terrific walk John, thank you. An Aunt of mine married a chap who had a senior role in the Bank of England and they used to go to the Lord Mayor's Banquets at the Guildhall, she kept the invitations on the mantle peice. When I went to dinner at her house with my parents it was the first time I saw more than one knife and fork on the table lol ☺️

[@icatz]

The amount of history there never fails to blow my little mind. Thanks!

[@mamnisel4815]

Fascinating wander around the City of London especially the magnificent Guildhall and the part of the Roman Wall.Another very historically interesting video John!!!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Mam

[@robertmorrey547]

Just love these London city walks 👌🏻👌🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@ianmaddams9577]

Brilliant walk John . I’ve been on 35 Moorgate all last week on a job where they have taken down part of a building. It’s been a while since I’ve been in the city . I’ve missed seeing some of the old beautiful buildings.I get a glimpse of St Alban church as I drive past in my lorry . Nice to see you using the maps again . Makes me smile . All the best 👍🏻

[@lizstevenson7801]

Thank you for this lovely walk John. I worked in Lombard St when I left school in 1962 so I wlked past many of these buildings years ago, so nuce to see the familiar amongst all the new builds. So much history in just a small area amazes me, I never get tired of learning new things about places I grew up with. Thanks for this walk, loved it 💕🇦🇺

[@Useaname]

My girlfriend worked in Lombard Street in 1982 after she left school. Maybe you were her boss at that point?

[@waynemarvin5661]

Thanks, John! I really enjoy stepping back into the past with you. It's informative, and Fun!

[@AliBees]

Just catching up now. I love all of your walks however these are my favourite. Uncovering the history that is being smothered by the the new London. Just allows us to take a moment and appreciate what’s right there staring us in the face hidden in plain sight by the hustle and bustle of modern life. Thanks John 🙂

[@highpath4776]

If you can get out (which I forget to do ) to take photos when buildings are being demolished you see different views for a short time

[@maverick4177]

Superb Episode 👍🏻👏🏻

[@TimG1]

Excellent show, John! Tim from Syracuse

[@markriley4665]

I love this walk John. I have followed similar routes around the city. Thank you for this video.

[@kkimmings4920]

A wonderful watch, i went along to the Guildhall on a Saturday about 20 years ago , they erected a mock amphitheatre above the original ,they had Roman gladiators reenactors, including lady gladiators , there was a big spread in the Evening Standard about the amphitheatre and tickets for the event ,from memory they found a lady Gladiator burial in London ,seems like yesterday to me where does the time go !

[@2Sugarbears]

You took me back to places I haven't seen in many many years. Thanks John, always a pleasure.

[@pauld5337]

Great walk John, really enjoy them. See episode 2 of BBC “In search of Shakespeare” time stamp 29:35 for some old photos, Shakespeare’s parish church in London and a theatre in Shoreditch. Also episode 4 time stamp 4:15 for Silver street / London Wall.

[@TimothyHalkowski]

Brilliant walk - love the discovered plaque for Shakespeare! & the 'ghost' churches!

[@michaelkiehn9254]

Another Monday vacation to London with my favorite tour guide! Thanks as ever John!

[@andrewhulson4000]

Not only are your videos fantastic, you have used fantastic music from Huma -Human etc. This really does add to the feeling/ emotion….

[@daveaum]

I learn so much about my city from watching these clips.. Thanks as always to John for the great, informative content 🙂👍

[@ursulaclarke6066]

20 fabulous years living and working in London - I love your videos John, sometimes I get terribly homesick for London, but I always enjoy the videos, learn something, and remember my 20 amazing years in together best city in the world.

[@mkfloyd9131]

Another informative & enjoyable video...

[@nickcooper1260]

Great video, John, it is amazing to see how the powerful buildings are represented by classical architecture, with their mighty columns - The architecture of eternity.

[@jimglendenning6281]

I live in Liverpool John but your walks are always brilliant so much info and always done in a easy going way.Keep up the good work.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Jim - I really want to get back to Liverpool soon

[@WoodsideWalker]

That certainly was a cracker! I was lucky enough to visit London in May and I visited the Guildhall. As soon as I walked in that courtyard, I just said Wow. It looks like it should be in Belgium. Even the modern buildings around it, look amazing. I just want to come back and delve deeper into Londons amazing history. I hope you got a good pint somewhere before heading home. 🍺

[@AntonyGoodall]

What a cracking walk indeed. Great video John! I shall make a point of visiting some of those sites when I'm in the City very soon.

[@Steveoaudioandstuff]

I always love how your videos start John. This one in particular had serendipity as I was in Wood Street the week before last. Loving how this is panning out so far - I'm hooked already.

[@markames3688]

Another lovely walk. I kept thinking of "City of London" by The Mekons.

[@oliverclothesoff5397]

Love your content! I always enjoy walking through my state capitol of Hartford CT. Lots of history, but nothing compared to the abyss of history of London. Keep up the great work m8!

[@chrisstamp1]

Amazing video, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge of the streets of our great city!!

[@motownkat3257]

Great walks John & so interesting. Why didn't I find this before I did my visit to The City a few months ago!! I did Southwark Cathedral, over London Bridge, past Great Fire Monument to Mansion House (wow everyone should do a guided tour of that) on to Bank of England Museum & the Royal Exchange for retail therapy then over for a tour of the Mithraeum. A fantastic day out, shatteringing tiring but so worth it. Next stop Guildhall in March. Keep up the great work John. 🙏

[@talesfromtinpanalley-thedo6198]

Glad you're sill making these videos John. Excellent

[@stevewells8152]

I worked at 11 Ironmonger Lane which is around 70m from Guildhall and in the basement there is a small section of mosaic floor from the Roman era. It is open to the public but is little known. It fascinates me just how much lower the old Roman London was to the current city street level (approx 3m). You can see this from your video showing the old amphitheatre in basement of Guildhall and the Mithreum in the Walbrook building.

[@robbojax2025]

Any walk through the City is great for me. As you covered the City elections it is worth mentioning the Lord Mayor's Show parade on the second Saturday in November. Few Londoners even know about it.

[@kimrobinson6280]

brilliant as always John

[@marty9011]

Loved this walk - all those iconic buildings. Particularly enjoyed the bits of Roman wall - wow.

[@valerieoldfield3481]

Love all your walks, John but being born and bred in Wycombe these are my favourites. They bring back lots of lovely memories. Now reside in NZ since 1972.

[@kskssxoxskskss2189]

Love that phrase, "ghost city."

[@c.t5136]

Thank you. I really enjoyed this. I have been visiting London from a very young age and have not heard of the things that you showed us today. You have inspired me to get lost and find things, which is also how I like to travel: roam free and be surprised.

[@minijames2777]

Thanks for another great walk John.

[@philanderson5138]

one of your best... love your insight into the key london buildings and their history

[@stevejones3635]

Thanks again John for another great video. Glad you managed to find the William Shakespeare plaque. I walk past it most mornings on my way though to Mansion House station, and thought you would have walked past it when you did the London Walk video!

[@CaroleMora22]

A wonderfully fascinating tour, thanks so much!

[@ashleysgaze]

Deeply informative, John. Enjoyed this walk immensely! Cheers!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks Ashley

[@topdog2247]

I am lucky to live just very close to the City and it's one of my favourite London walks. Thank you for this video.

[@walkingworld6441]

Love this walk. Very informative and inspirational. 👍

[@howarddavies9932]

Cracking video - loved the Shakespeare location find in particular.

[@kevincross9206]

That has to be one of your best recent walks John. Great stuff 👍🏻

[@whyyoulidl]

John, the first time I've commented (I think); had to give the obligatory 'Like' even before I watched, such was the anticipation of another fine presentation. Thanks as always 😀

[@lawrencegt2229]

Nice one, John. At the end there you were just a few steps away from (Ex)Change Alley and the memorial to my ancestor's coffee house (Garraway's - I am a Garraway too)- confusingly apparently the first person in the UK to sell tea!

[@rosiesharpley9011]

We owe you so much. How would I survive without my Rosie Lee ?

[@iansteel5569]

I love the London walks.

[@swiper1818]

Excellent video and travelogue!

[@suehiggins1488]

Brilliant film, so happy you found the plaque. I will go along and see it for myself some time!

[@chrismccartney8668]

I worked on South Bank Strand Southwark Bridge Road and St James Park, a lovely area with little streets and back turnings with surprises round every corner !.

[@puddinggeek4623]

Excellent video as always. Have you ever considered/ already done a video about historic pubs, taverns & cafes of The City of London? One of my favourite places in London on the rare occasions I visit is Simpson's Tavern, just off of Cornhill down an alley (Ball Ct). A lovely little hidden gem.

[@East_Anglian]

I had many a sandwich staring at the Folio pedestal, my office was on the Square at Aldermanbury until just last year, and I sorely miss that part of the City. There is an incredible Roman Mosaic in the basement of the BoE, patterned with the ancient Eurasion symbol of divinity / spirituality - aka the swastika, which was discovered by chance during excavations. If you ever get invited to a tour of the BoE, it is exrtaordinary. Great to be reminded of some special places... thanks John.

[@MsStevieWoo]

Such an enjoyable edit john. Thank you for this video. I worked for the corporation of London in the early 90’e as did my mother. We both worked for the corporation at Epping forest. My mother was the first ever female forest keeper who battled to make her mark and contributed so much to the forest of Epping. I’ve been in both the newer and the old guild hall. Such an amazing space. I now live in Manchester and miss walking around London. Here in Manchester there is so much change akin to how London boomed in the 90s & 2ks…… so much history is getting wiped out. I just wished they could protect this city like they have fought to do with London…. Thank you again, I love your videos x

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks so much for that comment Stevie

[@leecaston]

John absolute great video. your energy in this video is wonderful. thanks so much. loved it

[@Slycockney]

Absolutely love your videos John, keep them coming.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Reaper

[@markperks8705]

Once again a wonderful walk. Your attention to the minutiae of the urban environment is brilliant. The amphitheatre was long lost and rediscovered when the corporation was redeveloping the Guildhall site. In fact it appeared to be lost in plain site as Aldermanbury and Basinghall Street both respect it in older maps. The Anglo-Saxon use of the site was probably for the purposes of a moot. A public meeting place to administer the community with an open space and possibly extant terracing, its evolution into the Guildhall should not be much of a surprise given the propensity for singular urban activities to be conducted on the same site for long periods of time. Again a terrific walk keep up the good work.

[@goldieandblackie]

Another great walk John and good weather to boot, rounded off with a pint or two off camera.

[@mickeythompson9537]

Exceptionally interesting adventure this time!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

cheers Mickey

[@CthulhuInc]

great stuff! wren certainly got to cut loose after that fire - pity that less than half the ones he built survive, and even fewer are as he built them. i'm always happy to see roman ruins!

[@madincraft4418]

Stupendous!

[@peterjackson4132]

Another great video John you really paint a picture with your words, cheers buddy

[@suehiggins1488]

I remembered watching this ages ago and today, since I was in the area I decided to hunt out the Shakespeare plaque. I tried from memory, visiting all of the bombed out churches etc, but I had to search out your film to get clues!!! I'm sitting by the plaque as I write!!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Fantastic Sue - thanks for letting me know!

[@humble4533]

Thank you John for another informative and beautifully shot video. Your work is always appreciated and I look forward to your next video

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks Humble