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City walk : Mansion House

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Just after the old Fish Market building, turn left along Old Billingsgate Walk then left again at the end, along Lower Thames Street. Walk back to the pedestrian crossing in front of the church and cross the road, then turn left and walk up Fish Street Hill, passing Monument on your right.

At the top of Fish Street Hill, turn left along Eastcheap and follow it until you see a pedestrian underpass (also marked Underground). Take the first set of stairs and at the bottom turn right, then go straight ahead, following the signs to Cannon Street.

Take the Cannon Street exit, and at street level turn left along Cannon Street until you reach Laurence Pountney Hill (the third turning on your left). Turn down Laurence Pountney Hill and just after Suffolk Lane, see the two merchants' houses at number 1 and 2 (on your right), which were built in 1703.

Return to Cannon Street, cross the road, turn right then shortly turn left along Abchurch Lane to the junction with King William Street.

At King William Street turn left and continue until you reach Mansion House Place, just after traffic lights. Follow this lane straight ahead then veer right, opposite a small churchyard. Stop at the end of the lane, where it joins Walbrook Street, in front of the church.


Mansion House



spitalfields market

mansion house

As you walked along Mansion House Place, you passed along the side of Mansion House, which is a combination of palace, town hall and law court complete with its own lock-up. Its prime role is as the official residence of the City's Lord Mayor, who holds office for a one year term. The building was designed in the 1700's.

The church in front of you is St Stephen Walbrook, another church founded in the eleventh century, which was burnt down in the Great Fire and re-built by Wren. This church was also the birthplace of the Samaritans, in 1953.

Did You Know?

The City is the oldest part of London and was already 1,000 years old when the Tower of London was built.

It is uniquely independent from both Westminster and the Crown, has its own local government, the Corporation of London, and today is mainly a financial centre. It also has its own police force which is independent of the Metropolitan police, whose jurisdiction nevertheless surrounds the City.


forward to Dick Whittington | back to old Billingsgate fish market