Day Tour: City Streets Explorer London

We begin our tour outside the National Gallery, which displays such masterpieces as Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, on famous Trafalgar Square. We will learn about the history of this historic space, the secrets of Nelson’s column and the controversial plans for the 4th plinth. Now we'll jump on an iconic Routemaster double decker bus: only 2 routes are still operated by these buses in London, so it's a real trip down memory lane, complete with a conductor on board, and wire bells: ding, ding! Next stop, St Paul's Cathedral.

Strolling along the streets that Dickens wrote about, some of which are only wide enough for a horse and cart, we stumble upon Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece, London's great baroque Cathedral, St. Paul's. We'll head down to the café in the Crypt where a traditional afternoon cream tea is there to enjoy, complete with fresh scones, jam and cream, washed down with a steaming pot of delicious English tea. (Please note that we do not enter the main sections of St. Paul’s cathedral on this trip.) We leave through recently restored Paternoster Square, the new home of the London Stock Exchange, and then wind through old church yards and atmospheric backstreets. We might get the chance to head up to a roof terrace that offers wonderful panoramic vistas of the City before we head on past the Mansion House, home to the Lord Mayor of London, to the Bank of England - can you crack the safe or lift a real gold bar? Continuing on from the City's historic core, we'll pass Richard Roger’s Lloyd’s building, Tower 42 and 30 St. Mary Axe (usually known as the “Gherkin”).

Next we'll head into the lovely Leadenhall Market, and we'll discover the real life 'Diagon Alley' from the Harry Potter films. Heading downhill we'll spot Pudding Lane, where the Great Fire of London started, and view the towering Monument - a memorial to the tragedy. Descending from London Bridge, we'll head along the mighty river Thames, rich in history - passing by Old Billingsgate Market, HMS Belfast, the Hays Galleria and City Hall. We'll take in the spectacular views of Tower Bridge as we approach the Tower of London, where we'll learn all about the fascinating history of the Tower and see Traitor’s Gate before we head into the regenerated haven of St. Katharine’s Dock. Home to million-pound yachts and politicians, our tour comes to a close with a waterside drink at the atmospheric 18th century Dickens' Inn.

NB:

• Afternoon tea consists of a pot of English tea, a scone, jam & cream.
• This tour only includes entrance into the Crypt at St. Paul's, not the main body of the church. There is not time on this tour to enter St. Paul's Cathedral itself.
• The Bank of England museum is only open during weekdays - on the weekend we will enjoy more time at other locations.