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City of London’s History of Money & Power
Experience a self‑guided journey through the City of London, where money and power intertwine amid history, mythology and financial innovation.
Using clear on‑screen directions (with optional audio narration where available), you’ll discover money not just as a tool of trade but as a symbol and shared story—an invisible thread linking creation myths, systems of governance and changing ideas of value.
As you follow the route at your own pace, you’ll explore how power arises from collective belief and action, and how the ongoing tension between wisdom and greed, creation and destruction, still shapes the City’s hidden dynamics today.
The City of London's story of money and power from Babylon to Bitcoin
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Explore the City of London at your own pace, following a route where ancient gods, medieval merchants and modern bankers all share the same streets. On this self‑guided experience, you’ll trace the evolution of money from clay tablets and temple offerings to paper promises and invisible digital entries, visiting Roman ruins, Wren churches, coffee houses, markets and glass‑and‑steel towers along the way.
With clear directions and stop‑by‑stop commentary, you’ll slip into alleys, churchyards and former trading floors to uncover how symbols, rituals and stories about value shaped everything from imperial expansion to everyday life. Instead of following a group, you choose the timing, dwell as long as you like in each place, and use the audio and on‑screen notes to unpack money as both a practical tool and a powerful form of shared imagination—asking where power really comes from and how unseen forces still influence the world’s financial heart.
Designed for curious minds, history lovers and seekers of deeper meaning, this self‑guided tour blends storytelling, philosophy and concrete locations into a flexible experience, turning the City of London into your personal laboratory of money and power.
Route
- St Mary Aldermary | Entrance - Free / IncludedWe start with esoteric origins of money in The Oldest Mary Church
- Forgotten Streams | Entrance - Free / IncludedAn art piece for one of the forgotten rivers, which serves our story too
- Bloomberg Building | Entrance - Free / IncludedHow the story of ancient Sun god links the City to Babylon and the story of Money and power
- London Mithraeum | Entrance - Free / IncludedImmersive displays of artifacts and rituals tied to Londinium’s mercantile past.
- Royal Exchange | Outside visitFounded in 1566 as England’s first purpose-built trading floor.
- Bank of England – Front doors | Outside visitAt the doors of the Bank of England, crusader‑era banking, Eastern transfer systems, and ancient protective symbols converge.
- Pope’s Head Alley | Outside visitIn Pope’s Head Alley, papal and pharaonic symbols, medieval religious rules on interest
- St Edmund Martyr on Lombard Street | Outside visitChurch dedicated to England's last King & Martyr
- George Yard | Outside visitA revolution took place in and around this once financial hub of unprecedented scale!
- Jamaica Wine House | Outside visitThe Oldest coffee shop in England!
- St Michael’s Church, Cornhill | Outside visitOn perhaps the oldest site site of christian worship we discuss the dirty business of Indulgences
- Change Alley | Outside visitChange 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.
- 12 Lamp Posts of the Great Livery Companies | Outside visitThe 12 Great Livery Companies who forged London’s early economy, money markets, and trust-based banking system.
- Bank of England | Outside visitThe Bank of England, founded in 1694 amid civil war, revolution, and regime change, became the prototype for modern central banks
- James Henry Greathead Statue (Cornhill) | Outside visitA symbol of both British ingenuity and the Industrial revolution
- Duke of Wellington Statue (Bank Junction) | Outside visitWar is now won with money not just guns
- St Mary Woolnoth | Entrance - Free / IncludedNewton a former slave trader turned abolitionist, who wrote the hymn Amazing Grace, served as the Rector of St. Mary Woolnoth for 28 years.
- Leadenhall Market – Dragons & Bulls | Entrance - Free / IncludedWhere we find the truth of money
- Lloyd’s of London (Lime Street) | Outside visitThis industrial style building tells the story of the East india company
- The Gherkin (30 St Mary Axe) | Outside visitWe tell the story of another unprecedented revolution outside this symbol of the City's financial status.
- St Helen’s Church, Bishopsgate | Outside visitWe 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
Language options available
- English:
- French:
Booking & Availabilty
Self-guide - Per Person
Our self-guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace using your own device. With clear directions and rich on-page storytelling, you’ll enjoy:
- Flexible start times and no fixed schedule
- Stop-by-stop guidance with maps and location details
- Deeper commentary you can read (and where available, listen to) as you go
£11.00
Booking form
Per Person – Self‑Guided Tour (Digital)
What Our Customers Are Saying
- Excellent We thoroughly enjoyed the tour with Arjun. He was very knowledgeable, we learned so much from him on a fascinating topic. I really liked how well thought out the tour was, you could tell how each stop along the tour built on the previous, building a full picture in our... More reviewsWe thoroughly enjoyed the tour with Arjun. He was very knowledgeable, we learned so much from him on a fascinating topic. I really liked how well thought out the tour was, you could tell how each stop along the tour built on the previous, building a full picture in our heads by the end of the tour. I have already recommended this tour to friends, we'll definitely be back for more tours with Arjun. read less
Daryl Elliott10/19/2024Mystical London Excellent and very interesting tour that fits its descriptive, with an amazing and erudite guide! We had fascinating, deep and multi-layered conversations around the exploration of what is hidden in plain sight. I am very much looking forward for Arjun to create his next tour and continue to discover London... More reviewsExcellent and very interesting tour that fits its descriptive, with an amazing and erudite guide! We had fascinating, deep and multi-layered conversations around the exploration of what is hidden in plain sight. I am very much looking forward for Arjun to create his next tour and continue to discover London that way!
read less Sandra11/23/2023Made 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 Amber7/29/2024 - Strongly recommend this tour to anyone interested in the subjects Arjun was an absolute delight. He was very kind and incredibly knowledgeable - it was clear how much effort and time that he put into his tour and researching the subjects! For me, this was a perfect tour, as Arjun was happy to answer questions and humor thoughts I had... More reviewsArjun was an absolute delight. He was very kind and incredibly knowledgeable - it was clear how much effort and time that he put into his tour and researching the subjects! For me, this was a perfect tour, as Arjun was happy to answer questions and humor thoughts I had about the topics of the tour, and in moments where I didn't know anything, he regailed us with informative history on the subject, parallels in the world and more! I strongly recommend this tour to anyone interested in the subjects covered and further recommend Arjun as a guide for any tour that he offers.
read less Sterling1/24/2024Great Tour and Loved the experience! A tour like no other. You are taken on a journey through time that is not only an eye opening, story telling of historical pasts but you also see things from a different angle. I would recommend this and make sure you have a good pair of walking shoes! Loved... More reviewsA tour like no other. You are taken on a journey through time that is not only an eye opening, story telling of historical pasts but you also see things from a different angle. I would recommend this and make sure you have a good pair of walking shoes! Loved the experience :-) read less Arvinder3/13/2024City of London - historical walking tour Having been way from London for 20 years, we were surprised and delighted at all the places we saw and the history we hadn't know was underfoot. Arjun had done an enormous amount of research to cleverly lead us through from Celts and Romans to modern day, explaining how the... More reviewsHaving been way from London for 20 years, we were surprised and delighted at all the places we saw and the history we hadn't know was underfoot. Arjun had done an enormous amount of research to cleverly lead us through from Celts and Romans to modern day, explaining how the financial city had evolved. Would highly recommend this tour for tourists and Londoners alike. read less Jane Inge11/06/2024 - A new persepctive on London but to sites rich in history and symbolism. Arjun led a fantastic tour. Both my wife and I had visited London before but Arjun's tour gave us not only a new persepctive on London but to sites rich in history and symbolism. We saw several sites unknown to many guidebooks. He was very knowledgable and a fantastic storyteller.... More reviewsArjun led a fantastic tour. Both my wife and I had visited London before but Arjun's tour gave us not only a new persepctive on London but to sites rich in history and symbolism. We saw several sites unknown to many guidebooks. He was very knowledgable and a fantastic storyteller. Highly recommend the tour for history buffs, myth lovers and lay people alike. read less Sasha2/04/2025One 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 Polly2/12/2025London’s History of Money, Magic, and Power Walking tour We absolutely enjoyed our tour today. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and, despite it being just the two of us, went out of his way to create a truly personalised experience. It offers an unconventional perspective on the origins of money, exploring the exchange of goods, the rise of interest... More reviewsWe absolutely enjoyed our tour today. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and, despite it being just the two of us, went out of his way to create a truly personalised experience. It offers an unconventional perspective on the origins of money, exploring the exchange of goods, the rise of interest and debt, and the beginnings of banks and the stock exchange — all intertwined with elements of magic and religion in a mysterious way. If you’re passionate about history and looking for a fresh, unconventional take on London’s past, this is the tour for you. read less Nadia Joos8/09/2025 - 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 Christy9/14/2024Beautiful! We had an amazing time on a walking tour exploring London’s historical and mystical sites. Arjul was an exceptional guide, combining his deep knowledge with an engaging storytelling style that made the city’s past feel alive.
What stood out the most was the way Arjul encouraged us to notice the small,... More reviewsWe had an amazing time on a walking tour exploring London’s historical and mystical sites. Arjul was an exceptional guide, combining his deep knowledge with an engaging storytelling style that made the city’s past feel alive.
What stood out the most was the way Arjul encouraged us to notice the small, often overlooked details—each one holding its own story or significance. His ability to weave together history and mystery was both fascinating and inspiring.
The tour offered a perfect mix of insight and intrigue, leaving us with a newfound appreciation for London. If you’re looking for a guide who will open your eyes to the city in a completely new way, we highly recommend this tour. read less D. Bruno11/18/2024Deep understanding of the fascinating history of the City of London Arjun was an excellent guide and it was obvious he had a deep understanding of the fascinating history of the City of London. I especially liked the way he tied together his comments at the beginning and the end of the tour. I highly recommend the tour for visitors wanting... More reviewsArjun was an excellent guide and it was obvious he had a deep understanding of the fascinating history of the City of London. I especially liked the way he tied together his comments at the beginning and the end of the tour. I highly recommend the tour for visitors wanting to know how the City came about
read less Deo ind6/10/2025 - I have lived in London all my life and not known some of these exciting and interesting facts Amazing! This tour gave me so much to think about and I found it so fun to see that I have lived in London all my life and not known some of these exciting and interesting facts about the history of London. The places we went where very beautiful and... More reviewsAmazing! This tour gave me so much to think about and I found it so fun to see that I have lived in London all my life and not known some of these exciting and interesting facts about the history of London. The places we went where very beautiful and I recommend this tour. The tour guide was also so nice and if you had a question he would almost always know the answer! Truly great experience. I can't wait to go on the second tour. ✨✨
read less Mia Pirog10/01/2024Dragon tour City of London Arjun was a brilliant guide. He is very knowledgeable about the subjects he talks about throughout the tour, which centres around the spiritual connections behind much of the symbolism and iconography throughout the architecture and landmarks within the City. I really appreciated that although he had much knowledge to share,... More reviewsArjun was a brilliant guide. He is very knowledgeable about the subjects he talks about throughout the tour, which centres around the spiritual connections behind much of the symbolism and iconography throughout the architecture and landmarks within the City. I really appreciated that although he had much knowledge to share, he also intuitively allowed us the space to contemplate the spaces and topics for ourselves during moments in between, and did not try to cram too much in and nothing felt forced. The pace was easy to follow and very easy to walk. read less Alice6/11/2025Excellent, interesting tour! This tour took us back in time to pre-1000 AD with the London Stone, through history and artifacts from dragons to phoenixes to churches. We learned about Druids and Romans at a pace we could take it all in. Our tour guide, Argent, was very knowledgeable and kept this moving... More reviewsThis tour took us back in time to pre-1000 AD with the London Stone, through history and artifacts from dragons to phoenixes to churches. We learned about Druids and Romans at a pace we could take it all in. Our tour guide, Argent, was very knowledgeable and kept this moving at a comfortable pace while explaining how various things: water, rivers, grounding, and artifacts are all tied together in the quest for spiritual growth. A very worthwhile afternoon! Excellent, thought provoking conversations. read less Roger6/13/2023 - City 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 Janire2/02/2026Nous 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 Gwen1/01/2025Magical mystical tour of Stonehenge and Avebury! We had an absolutely unforgettable tour of Stonehenge and Avebury! Arjun was truly one of the best guides we’ve ever had—knowledgeable, engaging, and passionate from start to finish. He brought the history and mystery of both sites to life in a way that made the entire experience feel special and... More reviewsWe had an absolutely unforgettable tour of Stonehenge and Avebury! Arjun was truly one of the best guides we’ve ever had—knowledgeable, engaging, and passionate from start to finish. He brought the history and mystery of both sites to life in a way that made the entire experience feel special and personal.
He shared stories, answered every question with enthusiasm, and made sure everyone in the group felt included. We walked away not only with beautiful memories, but with a deeper appreciation for these incredible places.
If you’re considering this tour, don’t hesitate—especially if you’re lucky enough to have a guide like ours. It was a day we’ll be talking about for a long time! read less Melanie Krugel11/26/2025
