City Of London Accommodation Guide
When visiting London for the first time, few people realise that the name ‘City Of London’ only refers to a small local government district in the centre of the city. The name City Of London belies its size because it is actually the smallest authority in the whole of the United Kingdom.
In this guide, we will exhibit some of the City Of London’s best accommodation choices and explore some of the city’s many historic attractions. With so much to see and do, the City Of London is one of the most visited regions in the UK and attracts tourists from all over the world.
The historic boundary of the City Of London once contained the entire Roman city (Londinium) that was settled by the Romans in the 1st century AD. This boundary persisted until the Middle Ages when the city boundaries started to grow far beyond the City of London boundary.
Many Roman ruins can still be seen today. These include remains of the Roman Ampitheatre (located at London Guildhall), the Roman Baths at Billingsgate and numerous sections of the London Wall that encircled the whole city. The fortification was the second largest construction project completed by the Romans after Hadrian’s Wall. The wall was over 3.2 Km (2 miles) in length and stood 6m (20 feet) tall.
Today, the City Of London primarily covers the Financial District (also known as the Central Business District / CBD) and includes both the Bank of England and the London Stock Exchange. The ‘city’ is known locally as the ‘Square Mile’ given it is only 1.12 square miles in area (2.90 km2).
The City of London is situated in the centre of the county of Greater London and although the county surrounds it completely, it remains totally separate and is governed independently. The City shares borders with many of the Greater London boroughs including Westminster, Camden, Islington, Hackney and Tower Hamlets. The River Thames creates a natural boundary to the south.
Not surprisingly, there are more than 600 listed or protected buildings in the city which have significant historical value. These range from Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Museum of London, Leadenhall Market, The Royal Exchange and Old Spitalfields Market.
Interestingly, the financial district of the City of London is a hive of activity during the working week but often extremely quiet at weekends. Consequently, visitors can often find accommodation bargains during the weekends if they are prepared to stay in the financial district and then travel to other touristic areas of London such as the West End, Covent Garden, the South Bank etc. Given London’s excellent transport systems, both on the River Thames but also its underground / metro system, everywhere is but a short river taxi or train ride away. Or why not just try walking to take in the sights!
The city’s boundaries are marked by cast iron statues of dragons on plinths and also by a series of black bollards bearing the city’s emblem. A more substantial monument to the city’s boundary can be found at Temple Bar on Fleet Street – this archway marks the original entrance into the Roman City. The archway on display now was built between 1669 and 1672.
City Of London / Tourist Information
- County Town: N/A
- Land Area: 2.90 km2 (1.12 square miles)
- Population: 9,401 (2019)
- Population Density: N/A
- Average Temperature: (Summer 23 °C)
- Days Of Rain: Dry for 259 days a year
Best Attractions In City Of London
Tower Bridge: Although the Tower Of London is not actually included as part of the City Of London, Tower Bridge does fall within its jurisdiction. Built between 1886 and 1894 this suspension bridge crosses the River Thames close to the Tower of London. There is a small museum located inside the bridge and visitors can walk across the high level walkways which includes a glass floor section! The views across London from here are spectacular!
Museum of London: Free to enter, this incredible museum documents the City of London’s dramatic past. Find out what London would have been like in Roman times and experience what life would have been like in Victorian London. By 1850 London was the wealthiest, most powerful and most populated city in the world! You can also marvel at the spectacular Lord Mayor’s Coach which is on permanent display.
St. Paul’s Cathedral: The original church on that sat on Ludgate Hill (the highest point in the city) was founded in AD 604. The present structure which dates from 1675 was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. At 365 feet tall (111 metres) high, the Cathedral was the tallest building in London until 1963 and its dome remains among the highest in the world even to this day. The cathedral is a popular tourist attraction and is the site where Lady Diana Spencer married the Price of Wales in 1981.
Best Accommodation In the City Of London
River View (Kingston Upon Thames): Situated just outside London in Kingston-Upon-Thames this modern and spotlessly clean apartment enjoys a riverside location with lovely views across the surrounding area. Sleeping 4 people across 2 bedrooms, you are just a short train ride into London Victoria station. This is a good option for both leisure and short business trips.
Baldwin’s Hill Cottage (Loughton): One of our more unusual holiday homes, this incredible cottage was once the home to the Epping Forest Keepers. Now owned by the City of London, this is a really tranquil location and the perfect place to enjoy the sights of London whilst also having Epping Forest on your doorstep. The cottage is near to Loughton underground station, being just a short train ride away from Central London.
Music Box Penthouse (Plumstead): Although several miles outside of the City Of London’s boundary, this lovely apartment’s location grants you easy access to all of London’s sights and attractions. If you are looking for self-catering accommodation for a longer business stay, this 2 bedroomed apartment (sleeping 5 people) could be the perfect choice.
More coming soon…
Stay In Britain is the ultimate guide to places to stay and things to do in Great Britain. Whether you are looking for a luxury self-catering cottage, a cheap B&B for a weekend stay, a short break in a caravan park or a business-friendly hotel in the City of London area, we have everything you need. Enjoy your stay in Britain!
