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Quite challenging for folk with pronounced walking difficulties |
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Availability: Daily throughout the year |
City Bridges, City Gates
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We cross the four City Bridges, trace the old city walls and |
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The bridge the Americans thought they were buying |
Join us on an entertaining day to trace the story of the City Bridges and the City Gates. It’s a great itinerary and ideal for groups who enjoy good storytelling and lots of variety in one relaxing day. We cross the four City Bridges, trace the old city walls and gates and include visits to a beautiful Wren Church and the Tower Bridge Exhibition.
Please meet our Guide in the City of London at 10-30am for morning refreshments. We begin the day with a visit to the church of St. Magnus the Martyr that once stood at the head of London’s only bridge. Stone from the old bridge and the remains of a Roman wharf stand in the churchyard. Inside there is a wonderful model of the ancient bridge lined with houses and shops.
We’ll drive over the four city bridges (Tower, London, Southwark & Blackfriars) and hear about the vast fund of money that began with the ancient practice of Londoners bequeathing money “to God and the bridge” and which today pays for the maintenance of the city bridges with no cost to the taxpayer or ratepayer. Traditionally even the Tower Bridge cat is fed from this ancient fund!
The story of the city gates is fun to tell. Chaucer lived in one, prisoners were kept in another and at many you could rent an eye glass to take a closer look at the heads of executed traitors or even a catapult to take a pot shot. Today only one survives - the beautifully restored Temple Bar recently erected next to St. Paul’s Cathedral where we stop for lunch.
There is a good choice of lunch places in the precincts of St. Paul’s Cathedral or you are welcome to bring a packed lunch - on a rainy day you are welcome to enjoy your packed lunch in the Cathedral Crypt..
In the afternoon we visit The Tower Bridge Exhibition. A lift takes us up to enjoy magnificent views and we also go beneath the bridge to visit the old engine rooms. Finally we stop for tea in the new City Hall on the riverside. This is the home of the Greater London Assembly where you’ll see the impressive Assembly Room where Boris Johnson holds court. You’ll be ready to head home at 4-30/4-45pm.
The Tower Bridge visit is quite challenging for folk with pronounced walking difficulties.
This tour is available everyday throughout the year but we can only include the church visit on Tuesdays to Fridays.
Price: Adults: £18.50 Seniors £16.75
Coach Mileage: 5
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