City of London is a small one square mile (2.6km) area nearly in the centre of Greater London and it is geographically a city within the greater City of London. It is often referred to now as either The City or the Square Mile.
The City has been in its boundaries since the Middle Ages, but today is not part of the 32 Boroughs that constitute Greater London. The City today is in par with New York City as a centre for Finance and Business, and is known so, globally. Fewer than 10.000 people actually live in the area of the city but this swells to 340.000 as financial and business workers commute into the city this makes the public infrastructure very busy during certain times of the day.
There are numerous places for the inquisitive visitor to the City; one should start with the Tower of London it was build by the Normans in 1067 as a temporary barricades to enclose the City of London, Henry VIII was responsible for the appearance of the Tower as it is in London today.
Although a royal residence the Tower was used as a prison from its early beginnings, and many prisoners were executed on Tower Hill. The Tower is open to the public and well worth a visit. Tower Bridge is one of the great symbols of the city but also of Greater London itself. On its completion, Tower Bridge was the world's largest and most sophisticated hydraulically operated bridge. Tower Bridge is world known and its one of Londons most remarkable and exciting exhibition.
Whitechapel Gallery brings together major contemporary artists to the City, as for markets, the city has both Petticoat Lane which is probably the most famous of all London's street markets and Spitalfields Market, this covered market stands halfway up Commercial Street.
The actual famous fruit and vegetable Spitalfields Market moved from the area some time ago, but now there is an organic food market, surrounded by other market traders, throughout the week there are crafts, junk and antiques stalls but on Fridays and Sundays the market really comes alive.
Of course for all things cultured one should visit the Barbican, Europes largest multi-arts and conference venue. Art, music, dance and educational events all go on there. It is also the home of the London Symphony Orchestra.
A Cathedral dedicated to St Paul has overlooked the City of London since 604AD, a constant reminder to this great commercial centre of the importance of the spiritual side of life.
Hotels which may interest you are the
Thistle City Barbican, which is at the edge of the City and well able to cater for those on business there, the
Apex City of London is just right for those wanting to visit Tower Bridge, the Barbican etc.
Locations near the City are
Covent Garden, Holborn, which may allow you to see other parts of London.
