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City of London History of Money & Power Tour
About the tour
Walk through the heart of London’s financial centre and trace how money evolved from its earliest forms to modern global finance. Along backstreets, ancient temples, and churches, you’ll see how technology, war, sovereignty, and ambition shaped the systems we now take for granted.
This tour offers a fresh perspective on how the City became a global hub of commerce and invites you to reflect on what money and power mean in our lives today.
What you will see
- We start with esoteric origins of money in The Oldest Mary Church
- An art piece for one of the forgotten rivers, which serves our story too
- How the story of ancient Sun god links the City to Babylon and the story of Money and power
- Immersive displays of artifacts and rituals tied to Londinium’s mercantile past.
- Founded in 1566 as England’s first purpose-built trading floor.
- At the doors of the Bank of England, crusader‑era banking, Eastern transfer systems, and ancient protective symbols converge.
- In Pope’s Head Alley, papal and pharaonic symbols, medieval religious rules on interest
- Church dedicated to England's last King & Martyr
- A revolution took place in and around this once financial hub of unprecedented scale!
- The Oldest coffee shop in England!
- On perhaps the oldest site site of christian worship we discuss the dirty business of Indulgences
- Change Alley’s packed coffeehouses saw the birth of organised stock trading, insurance markets, and speculative manias, culminating in the South Sea Bubble whose debts echoed into the modern era.
- The 12 Great Livery Companies who forged London’s early economy, money markets, and trust-based banking system.
- The Bank of England, founded in 1694 amid civil war, revolution, and regime change, became the prototype for modern central banks
- A symbol of both British ingenuity and the Industrial revolution
- War is now won with money not just guns
- Newton a former slave trader turned abolitionist, who wrote the hymn Amazing Grace, served as the Rector of St. Mary Woolnoth for 28 years.
- Where we find the truth of money
- This industrial style building tells the story of the East india company
- We tell the story of another unprecedented revolution outside this symbol of the City's financial status.
- We conclude our story as we link our story with ancient origins to the present day: Bitcoin.
St Mary Aldermary, Bow Ln, London EC4M 9BW
Bloomberg Arcade, 3 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4N 8AA.
3 Queen Victoria St, London EC4N 4TQ
London Mithraeum, Bloomberg SPACE, 12 Walbrook, London EC4N 8AA
1 Royal Exchange, London EC3V 3DG.
Bank of England on Threadnedle Street ((EC2R 8AH)
4 Cornhill, London EC3V 3NR, UK
St Edmund, King and Martyr, Lombard Street, London EC3V 9EA, United Kingdom
1 George Yard, City of London, London EC3V 9DH, United Kingdom
Jamaica Wine House, St Michael’s Alley, London EC3V 9DS, United Kingdom
St Michael’s Cornhill, St Michael’s Alley, London EC3V 9DS, United Kingdom
Change Alley, City of London, London EC3V, United Kingdom
London EC3V 3LL
Threadneedle Street, London, EC2R 8AH
Bank Junction, City of London, London EC4N 8BH, United Kingdom
St Mary Woolnoth, Lombard Street, London EC3V 9AN, United Kingdom
Leadenhall Market, Gracechurch Street, London EC3V 1LT, United Kingdom
Lloyd’s of London, 1 Lime Street, London EC3M 7HA, United Kingdom
St Helen’s Bishopsgate, Great St Helen’s, London EC3A 6AT, United Kingdom
How you can experience this tour
Self-guide Tour
Language & guidance option(s):
- English:
- French:
Guided Walking Tour
Language & guidance option(s):
What Our Customers Are Saying
- A memorable voyage across time In somewhat of a leisurely Jules Verne sequence, the tour was a memorable voyage across time. It gave us glimpses of Londinium in present day London. Our tour guide Mr Arjun, a prolific researcher and storyteller, dotted the landscape and ancient buildings with characters, events and turning points.... More reviewsIn somewhat of a leisurely Jules Verne sequence, the tour was a memorable voyage across time. It gave us glimpses of Londinium in present day London. Our tour guide Mr Arjun, a prolific researcher and storyteller, dotted the landscape and ancient buildings with characters, events and turning points. Through various artefacts, he traced the origins of the financial capital of the world, and innumerable quests for power and influence. This was a very informative and thought-provoking tour and I would highly recommend it! read less
Aditi11/03/2024DRAGON CITY TOUR It was such a pleasure to go on this tour and listen to the stories and anedoctes Arjun has to offer! Lots of historical and dragon-related insights and his wonderful energy kept the group in a wonderful cocooned atmosphere.
Thankyou fellow Dragon-wisdom keeper for the light you spread across our city!
✨🐉💫 Francesca10/04/2025Dragons are everywhere ... if you know where to look! Whether you're into dragons or just want to get to know the treasures and history located in and around the square mile of the City of London a bit better, this tour will not disappoint. Go on this well-researched, engaging, and thought-provoking tour and uncover hidden gems from history, symbolism,... More reviewsWhether you're into dragons or just want to get to know the treasures and history located in and around the square mile of the City of London a bit better, this tour will not disappoint. Go on this well-researched, engaging, and thought-provoking tour and uncover hidden gems from history, symbolism, and many overlapping cultural traditions. Wear good walking shoes. Highly recommended. read less Leon3/14/2024 - Nous n’avons pas vu le temps passer et j’en garderai un très bon souvenir La visite était super intéressante et le guide très cultivé ! J’ai trouvé qu'il était assez facile de le comprendre même quand on est pas bilingue, mais il y avait quand même du vocabulaire un peu technique par moments. Nous sommes passés par des endroits insolites et avons pu comprendre... More reviewsLa visite était super intéressante et le guide très cultivé ! J’ai trouvé qu'il était assez facile de le comprendre même quand on est pas bilingue, mais il y avait quand même du vocabulaire un peu technique par moments. Nous sommes passés par des endroits insolites et avons pu comprendre l’histoire et l’origine des dragons de Londres, c'était très chouette ! Nous n’avons pas vu le temps passer et j’en garderai un très bon souvenir
read less Gwen1/01/2025Stepping back in time and adventuring through history Wow! Arjun didn't fail to deliver. His knowledge was extensive on esoteric City of London, I could tell a lot of research had gone into it. I felt a sense of stepping back in time and adventuring through history. What I discovered on this tour was unique and unlike any... More reviewsWow! Arjun didn't fail to deliver. His knowledge was extensive on esoteric City of London, I could tell a lot of research had gone into it. I felt a sense of stepping back in time and adventuring through history. What I discovered on this tour was unique and unlike any other tour I've been on, it went deeper. I shall be trying out his other tours next chance I get! read less Connie8/26/2024The best of all the city walks I did so far. I had a wonderful afternoon with Arjun! One afternoon full of surprises, joy, knowledge and discovery! The best of all the city walks I did so far. Arjun is such a great person, he gives an overall and complete explanation of historical background, and still can focus on one or... More reviewsI had a wonderful afternoon with Arjun! One afternoon full of surprises, joy, knowledge and discovery! The best of all the city walks I did so far. Arjun is such a great person, he gives an overall and complete explanation of historical background, and still can focus on one or two subjects with precision, really good job ! I discovered the city and learned a lot from all points of view, will come back to the places he showed me today. Thank you very much Arjun, it is a perfect afternoon!
read less Julie4/01/2024 - The guide was telling a story, rather than just reciting historical information Booked this tour yesterday, and thoroughly enjoyed it. The tour guide took us through an in depth history of the City of London teaching us several things I hadn't known before, which was intriguing. The tour was conducted as if the guide was telling a story, rather than just reciting... More reviewsBooked this tour yesterday, and thoroughly enjoyed it. The tour guide took us through an in depth history of the City of London teaching us several things I hadn't known before, which was intriguing. The tour was conducted as if the guide was telling a story, rather than just reciting historical information. The sights themselves were for the most part easy on the eye and full of history, including places such as the guildhall art gallery and st Lawrence jewry church. We concluded at the bank of England where the guide explained in depth the symbolism of the twelve ornate lampposts in the square, each one representing one of the twelve most important ancient guilds of the City. Would highly recommend! read less Nico7/01/2024City of London Historical Free Walking Tour Arjun was an excellent guide. He was very welcoming since the very beginning, and made sure everything was perfect all along the tour. The historical explanation was fantastic, it showed he is really passionate about it. We would definetly recommend booking this tour to get to know how Londinium was... More reviewsArjun was an excellent guide. He was very welcoming since the very beginning, and made sure everything was perfect all along the tour. The historical explanation was fantastic, it showed he is really passionate about it. We would definetly recommend booking this tour to get to know how Londinium was founded and got to be "The City" nowadays. Thanks for all, Arjun! read less Janire2/02/2026I loved all the new wonderful places Our tour with Arjun "City of dragons" was amazing. I loved all the new wonderful places Arjun showed us that I never knew about before, such as the crypt in St. Bride's church and the palindrome in St. Martin Ludgate. He also gave us a new perspective on well known... More reviewsOur tour with Arjun "City of dragons" was amazing. I loved all the new wonderful places Arjun showed us that I never knew about before, such as the crypt in St. Bride's church and the palindrome in St. Martin Ludgate. He also gave us a new perspective on well known sites as St. Pauls and the Templar Church. To sum it up, we had a wonderful time on our tour. Go and listen to Arjun, you will never see dragons the same as before. read less Rebekka10/24/2023
- Another lens in which to view London's history I went with my family (two adults, two children age 16 and 14) and we all loved this tour. We learned lots of London history, and were also helped to see some shared ancestorial connections with other cities/countries, too. These show up in repeated shapes, forms and symbols scattered around... More reviewsI went with my family (two adults, two children age 16 and 14) and we all loved this tour. We learned lots of London history, and were also helped to see some shared ancestorial connections with other cities/countries, too. These show up in repeated shapes, forms and symbols scattered around the old City of London, most of which I'd never know to notice before. I particularly liked the pace of this tour, and that there was a lovely balance of exciting mysticism with real history. It was a mind/body/spirit exercise, with a wonderful guide who you can see loves his work. We enjoyed a peaceful, thoughtful afternoon and can recommend this tour wholeheartedly! read less Christy9/14/2024Made it very personable My sister and I found this tour online and booked on a whim. We were in London for a few days and wanted to do some fun sightseeing. This tour far exceeded what we could have ever dreamed of! To say it was magical is an understatement. Our guide, Arjun... More reviewsMy sister and I found this tour online and booked on a whim. We were in London for a few days and wanted to do some fun sightseeing. This tour far exceeded what we could have ever dreamed of! To say it was magical is an understatement. Our guide, Arjun was so knowledgeable, fun, interesting and an AMAZING storyteller of all things City of London and its history with the Dragons and much more! We saw and visited places we never would have been able to see or find on our own. We packed a lot into 3 hours and totally got our moneys worth and then some! By the end of the tour we felt like long lost friends and we walked away feeling truly enchanted! This was the highlight of our trip! We will be back to do another tour with Arjun! Highly, highly recommend! This tour is a must! read less Amber7/29/2024Well researched, interesting, adventurous ! The London Mystical Tour was the best tour I did so far :) Arjun is such a kind guide and seems to be born as an encyclopaedia cause he could tell a well researched, profound story to everything we were interested in on the way. What stuck out to me... More reviewsThe London Mystical Tour was the best tour I did so far :) Arjun is such a kind guide and seems to be born as an encyclopaedia cause he could tell a well researched, profound story to everything we were interested in on the way. What stuck out to me as well, has been his great passion and interest in the content of the tour. I enjoyed to learn the meaning and background of commonly used symbols in buildings and recognize them anywhere else in architecture and art now :)) read less Sophie4/11/2025
- One of the most lovely London experiences One of the greatest experiences in London. The tour guide Arjun is a lovely, knowledgeable and very chatty person to be on a tour with. We were five people only and had the time of our lives by getting to know many parts of London and stories you wouldn't get... More reviewsOne of the greatest experiences in London. The tour guide Arjun is a lovely, knowledgeable and very chatty person to be on a tour with. We were five people only and had the time of our lives by getting to know many parts of London and stories you wouldn't get otherwise. Arjun chatted with us on whatever came to our mind between the sights and we had such great talks about a plethora of things. If you are into mythical stuff, history, symbols, gods and mysteries besides the dragons and into finding hidden places in London, this is for you! Thanks a lot for that great experience. read less Oskar Leonard Baron10/29/2024One of the most interesting and informative tours Thank you Arjun, this is one of the most interesting and informative tours I have done. There was so much to see and learn, and so much hidden in plain sight! I will definitely go back and revisit some of the stops and this has changed the way I look... More reviewsThank you Arjun, this is one of the most interesting and informative tours I have done. There was so much to see and learn, and so much hidden in plain sight! I will definitely go back and revisit some of the stops and this has changed the way I look at the City.
read less Polly2/12/2025Great Tour Arjun has researched and created a walk that spans millennia and weaves an absorbing narrative of London’s complex history. The tale of shifts in power, culture, and development – he easily linking time periods, cultures and historical figures. Obviously passionate about the subject the depth of this tour will only... More reviewsArjun has researched and created a walk that spans millennia and weaves an absorbing narrative of London’s complex history. The tale of shifts in power, culture, and development – he easily linking time periods, cultures and historical figures. Obviously passionate about the subject the depth of this tour will only get better as Arjun fine tunes his fascinating chronicle. Highly recommended. read less Ronnie Reid3/22/2025 - A very entertaining guided walk by Arjun A very entertaining guided walk by Arjun who has a deep and extensive knowledge of the subject and of the history and geography of the City of London. I was born in Central London and have worked in the area covered by the tour, but I was unaware of much... More reviewsA very entertaining guided walk by Arjun who has a deep and extensive knowledge of the subject and of the history and geography of the City of London. I was born in Central London and have worked in the area covered by the tour, but I was unaware of much of that which Arjun discussed and showed me. For example, I was unaware of the existence the London Stone which I used to regularly walk past. I can thoroughly recommend Arjun as a guide. read less Keith9/30/2024In somewhat of a leisurely Jules Verne sequence, the tour was a voyage across time. It gave us glimpses of Londinium in present day London. Our tour guide Mr Arjun, a prolific researcher and storyteller, dotted the landscape and ancient buildings with characters, events and turning points. ... More reviewsIn somewhat of a leisurely Jules Verne sequence, the tour was a voyage across time. It gave us glimpses of Londinium in present day London. Our tour guide Mr Arjun, a prolific researcher and storyteller, dotted the landscape and ancient buildings with characters, events and turning points. Through various artefacts, he traced the origins of the financial capital of the world, and innumerable quests for power and influence. This was a very informative and thought-provoking tour and I would highly recommend it! read less Aditi11/03/2024I want to come back and do this again! The Dragon Tour with Arjun was so rich, deep and truly heart and eye opening. I would do it again tomorrow! Thank you, Arjun for taking us on this journey through the City of London, through time and history and into the true nature of reality. Such an opening experience... More reviewsThe Dragon Tour with Arjun was so rich, deep and truly heart and eye opening. I would do it again tomorrow! Thank you, Arjun for taking us on this journey through the City of London, through time and history and into the true nature of reality. Such an opening experience that continues to ripple out. read less Amy9/09/2024
