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City of London’s History of Money & Power
Experience a self‑guided journey through the City of London, where money and power intertwine amid history, mythology and financial innovation.
Using clear on‑screen directions (with optional audio narration where available), you’ll discover money not just as a tool of trade but as a symbol and shared story—an invisible thread linking creation myths, systems of governance and changing ideas of value.
As you follow the route at your own pace, you’ll explore how power arises from collective belief and action, and how the ongoing tension between wisdom and greed, creation and destruction, still shapes the City’s hidden dynamics today.
The City of London's story of money and power from Babylon to Bitcoin
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Explore the City of London at your own pace, following a route where ancient gods, medieval merchants and modern bankers all share the same streets. On this self‑guided experience, you’ll trace the evolution of money from clay tablets and temple offerings to paper promises and invisible digital entries, visiting Roman ruins, Wren churches, coffee houses, markets and glass‑and‑steel towers along the way.
With clear directions and stop‑by‑stop commentary, you’ll slip into alleys, churchyards and former trading floors to uncover how symbols, rituals and stories about value shaped everything from imperial expansion to everyday life. Instead of following a group, you choose the timing, dwell as long as you like in each place, and use the audio and on‑screen notes to unpack money as both a practical tool and a powerful form of shared imagination—asking where power really comes from and how unseen forces still influence the world’s financial heart.
Designed for curious minds, history lovers and seekers of deeper meaning, this self‑guided tour blends storytelling, philosophy and concrete locations into a flexible experience, turning the City of London into your personal laboratory of money and power.
Route
- St Mary Aldermary | Entrance - Free / IncludedWe start with esoteric origins of money in The Oldest Mary Church
- Forgotten Streams | Entrance - Free / IncludedAn art piece for one of the forgotten rivers, which serves our story too
- Bloomberg Building | Entrance - Free / IncludedHow the story of ancient Sun god links the City to Babylon and the story of Money and power
- London Mithraeum | Entrance - Free / IncludedImmersive displays of artifacts and rituals tied to Londinium’s mercantile past.
- Royal Exchange | Outside visitFounded in 1566 as England’s first purpose-built trading floor.
- Bank of England – Front doors | Outside visitAt the doors of the Bank of England, crusader‑era banking, Eastern transfer systems, and ancient protective symbols converge.
- Pope’s Head Alley | Outside visitIn Pope’s Head Alley, papal and pharaonic symbols, medieval religious rules on interest
- St Edmund Martyr on Lombard Street | Outside visitChurch dedicated to England's last King & Martyr
- George Yard | Outside visitA revolution took place in and around this once financial hub of unprecedented scale!
- Jamaica Wine House | Outside visitThe Oldest coffee shop in England!
- St Michael’s Church, Cornhill | Outside visitOn perhaps the oldest site site of christian worship we discuss the dirty business of Indulgences
- Change Alley | Outside visitChange Alley’s packed coffeehouses saw the birth of organised stock trading, insurance markets, and speculative manias, culminating in the South Sea Bubble whose debts echoed into the modern era.
- 12 Lamp Posts of the Great Livery Companies | Outside visitThe 12 Great Livery Companies who forged London’s early economy, money markets, and trust-based banking system.
- Bank of England | Outside visitThe Bank of England, founded in 1694 amid civil war, revolution, and regime change, became the prototype for modern central banks
- James Henry Greathead Statue (Cornhill) | Outside visitA symbol of both British ingenuity and the Industrial revolution
- Duke of Wellington Statue (Bank Junction) | Outside visitWar is now won with money not just guns
- St Mary Woolnoth | Entrance - Free / IncludedNewton a former slave trader turned abolitionist, who wrote the hymn Amazing Grace, served as the Rector of St. Mary Woolnoth for 28 years.
- Leadenhall Market – Dragons & Bulls | Entrance - Free / IncludedWhere we find the truth of money
- Lloyd’s of London (Lime Street) | Outside visitThis industrial style building tells the story of the East india company
- The Gherkin (30 St Mary Axe) | Outside visitWe tell the story of another unprecedented revolution outside this symbol of the City's financial status.
- St Helen’s Church, Bishopsgate | Outside visitWe conclude our story as we link our story with ancient origins to the present day: Bitcoin.
St Mary Aldermary, Bow Ln, London EC4M 9BW
Bloomberg Arcade, 3 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4N 8AA.
3 Queen Victoria St, London EC4N 4TQ
London Mithraeum, Bloomberg SPACE, 12 Walbrook, London EC4N 8AA
1 Royal Exchange, London EC3V 3DG.
Bank of England on Threadnedle Street ((EC2R 8AH)
4 Cornhill, London EC3V 3NR, UK
St Edmund, King and Martyr, Lombard Street, London EC3V 9EA, United Kingdom
1 George Yard, City of London, London EC3V 9DH, United Kingdom
Jamaica Wine House, St Michael’s Alley, London EC3V 9DS, United Kingdom
St Michael’s Cornhill, St Michael’s Alley, London EC3V 9DS, United Kingdom
Change Alley, City of London, London EC3V, United Kingdom
London EC3V 3LL
Threadneedle Street, London, EC2R 8AH
Bank Junction, City of London, London EC4N 8BH, United Kingdom
St Mary Woolnoth, Lombard Street, London EC3V 9AN, United Kingdom
Leadenhall Market, Gracechurch Street, London EC3V 1LT, United Kingdom
Lloyd’s of London, 1 Lime Street, London EC3M 7HA, United Kingdom
St Helen’s Bishopsgate, Great St Helen’s, London EC3A 6AT, United Kingdom
Language options available
- English:
- French:
Booking & Availabilty
Self-guide - Per Person
Our self-guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace using your own device. With clear directions and rich on-page storytelling, you’ll enjoy:
- Flexible start times and no fixed schedule
- Stop-by-stop guidance with maps and location details
- Deeper commentary you can read (and where available, listen to) as you go
£11.00
Booking form
Per Person – Self‑Guided Tour (Digital)
What Our Customers Are Saying
- A hidden Gem A hidden Gem — This tour is more than wonderful. If you want something alternative ot at least not a mainstream, please choose this walking tour. It will really open your eyes for many symbols in the city, their history and their origin. The giude has done a lot of... More reviewsA hidden Gem — This tour is more than wonderful. If you want something alternative ot at least not a mainstream, please choose this walking tour. It will really open your eyes for many symbols in the city, their history and their origin. The giude has done a lot of research, he is very friendly, helpful and passionate about the topic. As a bonus you will be surprized to visit so quiet and serene places in the heart of this busy and vibrant city. According to me, this tour is a must. If you hasitate, don't! You will enjoy it fully. read less
mariana panayotova7/12/2024Beautiful! We had an amazing time on a walking tour exploring London’s historical and mystical sites. Arjul was an exceptional guide, combining his deep knowledge with an engaging storytelling style that made the city’s past feel alive.
What stood out the most was the way Arjul encouraged us to notice the small,... More reviewsWe had an amazing time on a walking tour exploring London’s historical and mystical sites. Arjul was an exceptional guide, combining his deep knowledge with an engaging storytelling style that made the city’s past feel alive.
What stood out the most was the way Arjul encouraged us to notice the small, often overlooked details—each one holding its own story or significance. His ability to weave together history and mystery was both fascinating and inspiring.
The tour offered a perfect mix of insight and intrigue, leaving us with a newfound appreciation for London. If you’re looking for a guide who will open your eyes to the city in a completely new way, we highly recommend this tour. read less D. Bruno11/18/2024Dragons are everywhere . Dragons are everywhere ... if you know where to look! Whether you're into dragons or just want to get to know the treasures and history located in and around the square mile of the City of London a bit better, this tour will not disappoint. Go on this well-researched, engaging,... More reviewsDragons are everywhere ... if you know where to look! Whether you're into dragons or just want to get to know the treasures and history located in and around the square mile of the City of London a bit better, this tour will not disappoint. Go on this well-researched, engaging, and thought-provoking tour and uncover hidden gems from history, symbolism, and many overlapping cultural traditions. Wear good walking shoes. Highly recommended. read less Leon C3/01/2024 - This is a great tour if you're looking... This is a great tour if you're looking for something a bit different. Full of iconography, our guide was very knowledgeable and gave us lots of interesting facts & perspectives on history & the events that makes London City what it is today. We went on a Sunday, two stops... More reviewsThis is a great tour if you're looking for something a bit different. Full of iconography, our guide was very knowledgeable and gave us lots of interesting facts & perspectives on history & the events that makes London City what it is today. We went on a Sunday, two stops on the journey were closed but this was made up in extra time at other sites and images provided of the closed venues. Overall, very enjoyable! read less julie r4/01/2024A gift for making history feel immediately relevant Brilliant City of London tour with Arjuns . He has a gift for making history feel immediately relevant, and his knowledge of everything from dragon boundaries to the Roman Mithraeum to the Knights Templar. The five-stop route through the City’s layers was brilliantly chosen, and I came away with a... More reviewsBrilliant City of London tour with Arjuns . He has a gift for making history feel immediately relevant, and his knowledge of everything from dragon boundaries to the Roman Mithraeum to the Knights Templar. The five-stop route through the City’s layers was brilliantly chosen, and I came away with a completely refreshed understanding of medieval and Roman London. Highly recommended if you want a walking tour that treats you like an intelligent human.
read less Dominique4/08/2026City of London Historical Free Walking Tour —... City of London Historical Free Walking Tour — Arjun was an excellent guide. He was very welcoming since the very beginning, and made sure everything was perfect all along the tour. The historical explanation was fantastic, it showed he is really passionate about it. We would definitely recommend booking this... More reviewsCity of London Historical Free Walking Tour — Arjun was an excellent guide. He was very welcoming since the very beginning, and made sure everything was perfect all along the tour. The historical explanation was fantastic, it showed he is really passionate about it. We would definitely recommend booking this tour to get to know how Londinium was founded and got to be "The City" nowadays. Thanks for all, Arjun! read less Janire Gallud2/03/2026 - The best tour we've ever been on! Arjun's knowledge and detail throughout the tour was excellent. He listened to our questions intently and provided such rich information about all the different sites across the tour amazingly well. It was a great afternoon of insights, conversation and inspiration to learn more about the incredible history and hidden stories... More reviewsArjun's knowledge and detail throughout the tour was excellent. He listened to our questions intently and provided such rich information about all the different sites across the tour amazingly well. It was a great afternoon of insights, conversation and inspiration to learn more about the incredible history and hidden stories all around us. Thanks so much for this tour Arjun, we will be recommending this tour to our friends and family and will likely be coming on another one of DragonLore's tours very soon. Thanks a lot! read less Kobina Elliott10/19/2024Me and a friend joined a Dragon Lore... Me and a friend joined a Dragon Lore tour in the City of London with guide Arjun and we surprisingly had an amazing time. A bit sceptical if it was going to be what we hoped it to be... And YES! It was spot on. Showing us secret places, going... More reviewsMe and a friend joined a Dragon Lore tour in the City of London with guide Arjun and we surprisingly had an amazing time. A bit sceptical if it was going to be what we hoped it to be... And YES! It was spot on. Showing us secret places, going into these special places to share the symbolism, stopping at places no other classic tour will do... Many puzzle pieces fell together during the walk, listening to the lores and it was nice talking to our tour guide too. A must for people who love to explore a spiritual/mystical side of London! Thanks again by the way. :-) Will check out the other tours too! read less Anneliese Meurs11/07/2025Excellent Private Glastonbury Pilgrimage with Dragon Lore Tours. Excellent Private Glastonbury Pilgrimage with Dragon Lore Tours. What an incredible day exploring Glastonbury with Arjun! From the moment we started, it was clear we were in the hands of someone who truly knows and loves this mystical part of England. Arjun's expertise shone throughout our visit to Glastonbury Abbey... More reviewsExcellent Private Glastonbury Pilgrimage with Dragon Lore Tours. What an incredible day exploring Glastonbury with Arjun! From the moment we started, it was clear we were in the hands of someone who truly knows and loves this mystical part of England. Arjun's expertise shone throughout our visit to Glastonbury Abbey — he wove together historical facts with local legends in a way that was both educational and captivating. His knowledge of the site's significance, from its early Christian roots to the Arthurian connections, was impressive. The Chalice Well visit was equally memorable. Arjun's understanding of the spiritual and historical importance of this sacred site added so much depth to the experience. He clearly knows the area like the back of his hand and has a genuine passion for sharing its stories. This wasn't just a tour — it was a proper pilgrimage experience. Arjun's professionalism, knowledge, and enthusiasm made for a perfect day. I'd absolutely recommend Dragon Lore Tours to anyone wanting to explore Glastonbury with a guide who truly understands the magic of this special place. read less RoseWippich5/01/2025
- Excellent, interesting tour! This tour took us back in time to pre-1000 AD with the London Stone, through history and artifacts from dragons to phoenixes to churches. We learned about Druids and Romans at a pace we could take it all in. Our tour guide, Argent, was very knowledgeable and kept this moving... More reviewsThis tour took us back in time to pre-1000 AD with the London Stone, through history and artifacts from dragons to phoenixes to churches. We learned about Druids and Romans at a pace we could take it all in. Our tour guide, Argent, was very knowledgeable and kept this moving at a comfortable pace while explaining how various things: water, rivers, grounding, and artifacts are all tied together in the quest for spiritual growth. A very worthwhile afternoon! Excellent, thought provoking conversations. read less Roger6/13/2023Deep understanding of the fascinating history of the City of London Arjun was an excellent guide and it was obvious he had a deep understanding of the fascinating history of the City of London. I especially liked the way he tied together his comments at the beginning and the end of the tour. I highly recommend the tour for visitors wanting... More reviewsArjun was an excellent guide and it was obvious he had a deep understanding of the fascinating history of the City of London. I especially liked the way he tied together his comments at the beginning and the end of the tour. I highly recommend the tour for visitors wanting to know how the City came about
read less Deo ind6/10/2025Well planned. Recommend it Arjun is a fantastic guide that needs more recognition! He is truely passionate and is generous with his time and knowledge. This is the perfect tour for those who are interested in the entwinement of history, religion and mysticism ~ topics that you will be hard pressed to find on... More reviewsArjun is a fantastic guide that needs more recognition! He is truely passionate and is generous with his time and knowledge. This is the perfect tour for those who are interested in the entwinement of history, religion and mysticism ~ topics that you will be hard pressed to find on any other tour of london. You will not regret booking this amazing guide for your trip in London. read less Tara7/24/2024 - One of the most interesting and informative tours. One of the most interesting and informative tours. Thank you Arjun, this is one of the most interesting and informative tours I have done. There was so much to see and learn, and so much hidden in plain sight! I will definitely go back and revisit some of the stops... More reviewsOne of the most interesting and informative tours. Thank you Arjun, this is one of the most interesting and informative tours I have done. There was so much to see and learn, and so much hidden in plain sight! I will definitely go back and revisit some of the stops and this has changed the way I look at the City. read less Polly2/01/2025Dragon tour City of London. Dragon tour City of London. Arjun was a brilliant guide. He is very knowledgeable about the subjects he talks about throughout the tour, which centres around the spiritual connections behind much of the symbolism and iconography throughout the architecture and landmarks within the City. I really appreciated that although he... More reviewsDragon tour City of London. Arjun was a brilliant guide. He is very knowledgeable about the subjects he talks about throughout the tour, which centres around the spiritual connections behind much of the symbolism and iconography throughout the architecture and landmarks within the City. I really appreciated that although he had much knowledge to share, he also intuitively allowed us the space to contemplate the spaces and topics for ourselves during moments in between, and did not try to cram too much in and nothing felt forced. The pace was easy to follow and very easy to walk. read less Alice6/01/2025Guide gives you a great information and makes... Guide gives you a great information and makes you think of things from another perspective. However it was a bank holiday so not one place was open we just looked at pictures on his phone. Should have been noted when booking that nothing was open as I wouldn't have gone.... More reviewsGuide gives you a great information and makes you think of things from another perspective. However it was a bank holiday so not one place was open we just looked at pictures on his phone. Should have been noted when booking that nothing was open as I wouldn't have gone. Also we were told we would get a pdf of the tour so we can go back and visit the places which I still haven't received so from that point it was disappointing. read less Wendy H8/01/2024
- Best tour ever! Best tour ever! This was one of the BEST tours that I have ever been on. It was mystical, magical and historical. Arjun is SO knowledgeable and brought us to some of the hidden gems of the Bank St. area. If you love dragons like I do then I highly... More reviewsBest tour ever! This was one of the BEST tours that I have ever been on. It was mystical, magical and historical. Arjun is SO knowledgeable and brought us to some of the hidden gems of the Bank St. area. If you love dragons like I do then I highly recommend this. It's fascinating. read less Rose Wippich4/07/2025Let the Dragons Rule — What a delightful afternoon! Let the Dragons Rule — What a delightful afternoon! We toured streets and back roads off the busy streets of London to Temples, rivers, underground chapels and ley lines that all go unnoticed. We saw the tale of the dragon unfold and fly over to protect us …. Quite the... More reviewsLet the Dragons Rule — What a delightful afternoon! We toured streets and back roads off the busy streets of London to Temples, rivers, underground chapels and ley lines that all go unnoticed. We saw the tale of the dragon unfold and fly over to protect us …. Quite the unusual tour taking us to places where the energies of the past still radiate. Loved it! read less Jody Dougherty12/08/2025Arjun was thorough in his research in the topic of the tour. Arjun was thorough in his research in the topic of the tour. He took personal efforts to understand our background and customised the tour accordingly. The tour provided us fresh perspectives on the familiar city. His love for the subject came out clearly through the tour. A very special experience! Susmita Das4/07/2025
