The Architecture Tour of London

The Architecture Tour of London

London’s architecture resembles the design of an irregular and imbalanced mind. A walk along the river Thames shows buildings new and old jostling together like a baby’s building blocks dropped at haphazard angles. There’s a story behind this apparent lack of architectural harmony. It is the story of the great fire of 1666 - and of the Blitz of 1940. It is the story of disaster and catastrophe. Of catharsis and renewal. And it is also the story of ambition. For London is the most ‘new world’ of any European city, more akin to New York than it is to Rome or Paris. It is a place of business and commerce, a place that develops and redevelops at a frightening pace. London does not live in a state of preserved limbo, it lives, breathes and evolves at every step. Thus the jumble of architectural styles, all of which are touched on in this comprehensive walking tour.

Itinerary

• The Tower of London Discover the history behind William The Conqueror's fortress • Tower Bridge Uninterrupted views of riverside architecture up and down the Thames allow for some spectacular sightseeing • St Olave's Church One of very few medieval buildings in the City to have escaped the Great Fire of 1666 • Leadenhall Market One of London’s most striking structures, and a fine example of Victorian architecture • Lloyd's Building Richard Rogers' London masterpiece, see why this is called the Inside-Out building • The Gherkin Designed by British architect Norman Foster, this is one of London's most recognisable landmarks • Millennium Bridge London's only pedestrian bridge, built by Norman Foster • Tate Modern London's Museum of Modern Art is a shining example of restorative architecture • City Hall The only building in London to be compared to Darth Vader's helmet • 6 Finch Lane Hidden down Finch Lane is this gem of an office building • The George & Vulture Charles Dickens' favorite restaurant • The Royal Exchange Once the single most important junction in the financial world, also one of London's greatest architectural delights • The Bank of England The combined efforts of 4 different architects, the most famous of whom was undoubtedly Sir John Soane. • Temple of Mithras Followers of Mithras gathered in underground temples around the Roman Empire to worship their god, supposedly born from a rock. • St Paul’s Cathedral London's mighty religious landmark, Christopher Wren's masterpiece • The Shard The tallest building in Europe • These are just a fraction of the many architectural sights you will see on this ram-packed tour!