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Barbican Walk
An interesting walk with some historical landmarks, plenty of architecture, and a few surprises along the way.
Today’s walk begins at St. Paul’s Tube Station. Exit the tube and walk north on St. Martin’s le Grand. Go right on Gresham Street and continue walking to Guildhall Yard to arrive at Guildhall.
Guildhall was constructed between 1411 and 1440. While the roofs suffered loss in the Great Fire of 1666 and the Blitz of 1940 the Gothic Great Hall remains. The building has been the administrative and ceremonial foundation of the Corporation of London for hundreds of years. The Corporation continues in its civic role, in a modern building.
Presently, it hosts the Clockmaker’s Museum and the Guildhall Art Gallery. During the construction of the art gallery in the 1980s came the discovery of London’s only Roman amphitheater. While most of the artifacts are at the Museum of London, visitors can walk through the excavation.
Exit through Guildhall Yard to view St. Lawrence Jewry. Since the 12th century a church as occupied this space. Destroyed by the Great Fire of 1666 the current church was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Built between 1670 and 1677, this is the most expensive of Wren’s churches.
Turn right on St. Martin’s le Grand. Continue toward the Museum of London. Take the escalator up and cross the pedestrian bridge for a view of what remains of the original London Wall built during the Roman Empire.
Exit through the north side continuing to the Barbican Estate. This area was badly damaged during the bombings during the Blitz. The Barbican Estate was created as a multipurpose residential complex bringing together offices, residences, and the arts.
The Barbican Centre is the largest performing arts center in Europe. The main concert hall is famous for its acoustics and is the home of the London Symphony Orchestra. Architecture tours are available several times during the week.
Walk down the steps at Aldersgate, continue across the street, and go left at Long Lane. Take the first left at Cloth Fair, and turn right on Middle Street to arrive at St. Bartholomew the Great.
One of London’s oldest churches, St. Bartholomew The Great dates back to the 12th century. Originally a part of an Augustinian monastery this is one of the city’s few surviving Norman buildings.
Continue walking to the end of the street to reach the Smithfield Rotunda Garden. Should you feel like a beverage or something to eat there are a few options nearby including Balfour at St. Barts, The Butcher’s Hook & Cleaver, Fuller’s Ale & Pie Pub, Le Bar, Club Gascon, 21 West, Origin City, and Bishops Finger.
Cross Long Lane to reach Smithfield Market ruled as the British Empire’s meat-trading center with 800 years in the livestock trade.
Walk through the market and walk across Charterhouse Street, go left onto Cowcross to arrive at the Farringdon tube station and the end of your walk.
Celebrate!
English Tourism Week – VisitEngland is proud to lead the annual English Tourism Week – 18th to 27th of March. 2024 – celebrating the diverse, exciting, and vibrant sector, and highlighting the quality and value of English tourism.
Heritage Treasures Day (UK) – Heritage Treasures Day is marked on January 11 of every year. It’s the perfect day to let everyone know about your unique heritage.
City of London – In the heart of London, The City is an adventure in architecture with some very modern skyscrapers among structures several centuries old.
Waterloo to Whitehall – A spin on the London Eye, with visits to Sea Life Aquarium, Westminster Bridge, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and Whitehall Street attractions.
St. James London – Join me on an arts and culture tour featuring art galleries and fine men’s fashion.
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