City of London 3-hour self-guided walking tour and scavenger hunt

• Starting point: outside St. Paul’s Cathedral, London EC4M 8AD, United Kingdom
• Distance: 3.4 km / 2.1 mi
• Duration: 3 hours
• Method: walking
• Required: Fully charged smartphone with internet access (data plan) – Wifi will not be enough.
• Suggested:
  • Water bottle
  • Local map

Ancient History

This area, including London Covent Garden, was inhabited in 4800 BCE (before the common era) as structures have been unearthed through archeology.

The Roman Empire settled the area in around 100 CE (common era) and called it Londonium. This lasted until the 5th century.

Then it was the Vikings who initially assaulted the coastlines then settled in north-eastern England until the 11th century.

The city evolved in every sense (architecture, governance, religion, and more) from then on. The population grew rapidly through the centuries, despite losing ⅓ during the Black Death in the mid-14th century.

City of London History

William the Conqueror marched on London, then granted the citizens a charter in 1075. He built here the Tower of London and 2 other castles which are no longer there.

The city evolved in every sense (architecture, governance, religion, and more) from then on. The population grew rapidly through the centuries, despite losing ⅓ during the Black Death in the mid-14th century.

The 16th century saw the construction of the Royal Exchange and the Bank of England. The 18th saw St.Paul’s Cathedral and the expansion of the urban area towards the West End and Westminster.

The 19th century brought railways and the Tube, allowing London to expand further out.