Architecture of London with Context: A Tour of the Square Mile

The City of London has been shaped by almost 2,000 years of history. On this walking tour with Context expert Dr. Alan Montgomery, – a London-based scholar, author, and guide who holds an MA in Art History and Architecture, and a PhD in Classical Civilization – you’ll take in traces of its long-checkered story in the form of buildings both ancient and modern.

As you wind from St. Paul's Cathedral through London’s Square Mile, you’ll see several centuries-old landmarks designed by renowned architect, Christopher Wren. You’ll hear how Wren, along with his team, helped rebuild the city in the aftermath of the Great Fire of 1666. You'll stroll through centuries of history on this tour, ending with modern skyscrapers like Norman Foster's Gherkin, Renzo Piano's Shard and Richard Rogers' Cheesegrater.

Along the way, you'll have a chance to:

• See how London's history is reflected in its built environment from the Roman Empire to the 21st Century
• Understand the impact of Baroque architect Christopher Wren on the modernization of London
• Learn about the contemporary architects whose unconventional work makes London's skyline so distinctive
• Walk through the only one of London’s old city gates to survive
• Take in Watling Street, that runs the exact route of a Roman road that ran from the south coast of England and right through the Roman city of Londinium
• Pop by the George and Vulture, a pub frequented Charles Dickens, who mentions it several times in his famous novel The Pickwick Papers
• View London’s skyline from a terrace above the city that many visitors miss
• Experience the bustling center of one of the world's most important financial and cultural capitals

By the end of this hour-long tour, you’ll have a greater appreciation for the city’s architecture and those who envisioned what it might look like in the future.

Context Travel connects you with world-class experts for audio guides like this one, as well as in-person tours. Explore more at Context.