Borough

City of London

About:

The City of London is the historic core of London from which, along with Westminster, the modern conurbation grew. The City's boundaries have remained constant since the Middle Ages, and hence it is now only a tiny part of the larger London metropolis.

With its roots in medieval times, the City of London is the oldest local authority in England. One of the oldest surviving traditional ceremonies still in existence today is the granting of the Freedom of the City of London. It is believed that the first Freedom was presented in 1237.

The medieval term 'freeman' meant someone who was not the property of a feudal lord, but enjoyed privileges such as the right to earn money and own land. Town dwellers who were protected by the charter of their town or city were often free - hence the term 'freedom of the City'.

A number of ancient privileges are associated with the Freedom - although they are more a product of collective memory than of documented evidence. They include the right to herd sheep over London bridge, to go about the City with a drawn sword, and if convicted of a capital offence, to be hung with a silken rope. Other advantages are said to have included the right to avoid being press-ganged, to be married in St Paul's Cathedral, buried in the City and to be drunk and disorderly without fear of arrest.

Routes that go through City of London:

Jubilee Walkway:

Section 1 (The Western Loop walk)

Section 2 (The Eastern Loop walk)

Section 3 (The City Loop)

Section 4 (The Camden Loop)

Jubilee Walkway:

Jubilee Walkway

Interesting places on or near the route:

Museum of London and surrounding area
Victoria Embankment
Walbrook Stair

Population:

7,185 which is 0.1% of the total London population

Area:

3 square kilometres

Tube:

The Circle, District, Northern, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Central and Waterloo & City lines all pass through the borough. Visit http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tube/ for more information. The Docklands Light Railway can be accessed at Bank and Tower Gateway stations. Visit http://www.tfl.gov.uk/dlr/ for more information.

Rail:

There are several national rail stations in the borough including City Thameslink, Moorgate, Cannon Street, Liverpool Street, Fenchurch Street and Blackfriars. Visit http://www.tfl.gov.uk/rail/ for more information.

Bus:

Camden is served by a comprehensive network of bus routes. Visit http://www.tfl.gov.uk/buses/ for more information.

Green space:

There are around 150 small green spaces within the Square Mile consisting of small parks and gardens.

Local Authority:

City of London

Other Information:

Visit London Walks for audio guides of walks in the City of London. The Legal London Walk, City Livery Companies Walk, God and Mammon Walk and the Tower of London to St Paul’s Walk all pass through the borough.

Visit the Totally London website to watch a short video (3 minutes) of part of the Jubilee Walkway from the London Eye to St Paul’s.