How did a small Roman marshland settlement evolve over 2,000 years into a global hub for finance, business, and commerce? On this London walking tour, you’ll uncover the City’s influence on the world economy, exploring its history and modern-day role. The tour starts on the famous London Bridge, where I’ll take you back to Roman times, when the city was known as Londinium, and explain its role in the Roman Empire’s economy. At the Monument to the Great Fire of London, we’ll move forward in time, and I’ll tell you how the infamous inferno in the 1600s gave rise to the insurance business. You’ll briefly stop in front of the former location of Plantation House, once a hub for trading commodities from across the British Empire with ties to the slave trade. In 2020, it was renamed 30 Fenchurch Street. The tour ends at Paternoster Square, beside St. Paul’s Cathedral, where you’ll learn about the 1960s redevelopment criticized for clashing with the domed temple’s iconic architecture. Along the way, you’ll have a chance to: •Hear how the City’s landmark skyscrapers got their nicknames as you take in the Walkie-Talkie, the Cheese Grater, and the Gherkin up close •Understand the crucial role of coffeehouses in the history of the financial system •Discover the history of the Bank of England, one of the world’s oldest central banks, and trace the roots of British banking to influential family dynasties •Visit historic markets like Leadenhall Market, Billingsgate, and the Royal Exchange •Experience Lombard Street’s bustle, the traditional heart of London’s financial district •Find out why three bronze horses are named after currencies in Plantation Lane •Hear the stories of London’s Stock Exchange, both old and new By the end of this 90-minute tour, you’ll have a deeper understanding of 2,000 years of the city’s social and economic history. You'll have seen all the major landmark buildings and institutions that are at the heart of Britain’s capital. No knowledge of business or finance is required to enjoy the tour, everything is explained. There are many opportunities to take creative photographs and make lasting memories too.