Mansion House, London
Mansion House, the opulent neoclassical residence of the Lord Mayor during their term in office, is open to the public once a week, but access is available solely through guided tours (lasting approximately 1 hour) with no prior booking required. Designed in 1753 by the architect George Dance the Elder, the most splendid room within the building is the Egyptian Hall, characterized by its impressive columns and a soaring barrel-vaulted ceiling adorned with coffered designs.
Another noteworthy aspect of Mansion House is its extensive collection of gold and silver tableware, including the Mayor's remarkable 36-pound gold mace and the pearl sword gifted by Queen Elizabeth I, traditionally presented to the sovereign during visits to the City. As you explore the rooms, you'll encounter a remarkable assortment of Dutch and Flemish paintings by renowned artists such as Hals, Ruisdael, Hobbema, Cuyp and de Hooch.
Tour spots are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, so it's advisable to arrive promptly at the Walbrook entrance.
Tip:
After your visit, consider taking a stroll down Cornhill, keeping the Royal Exchange on your left. Along the way, you'll come across a monument dedicated to James Henry Greathead, the 19th-century engineer whose inventions, including the "traveling shield," played a pivotal role in making the construction of the Tube possible. A few blocks further down at Cornhill #50 on the right, you can also drop by The Counting House pub, originally built as a bank in 1893 and a popular lunch spot in the area.
Another noteworthy aspect of Mansion House is its extensive collection of gold and silver tableware, including the Mayor's remarkable 36-pound gold mace and the pearl sword gifted by Queen Elizabeth I, traditionally presented to the sovereign during visits to the City. As you explore the rooms, you'll encounter a remarkable assortment of Dutch and Flemish paintings by renowned artists such as Hals, Ruisdael, Hobbema, Cuyp and de Hooch.
Tour spots are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, so it's advisable to arrive promptly at the Walbrook entrance.
Tip:
After your visit, consider taking a stroll down Cornhill, keeping the Royal Exchange on your left. Along the way, you'll come across a monument dedicated to James Henry Greathead, the 19th-century engineer whose inventions, including the "traveling shield," played a pivotal role in making the construction of the Tube possible. A few blocks further down at Cornhill #50 on the right, you can also drop by The Counting House pub, originally built as a bank in 1893 and a popular lunch spot in the area.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in London. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Mansion House on Map
Sight Name: Mansion House
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in London, England
Create Your Own Walk in London
Creating your own self-guided walk in London is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Bridges of London
Around thirty bridges span the Thames river in London, each with its own story. Our self-guided walk takes you to see nine such historical structures located in the heart of the city, starting from the storied Westminster Bridge and ending at the iconic Tower Bridge.
The latter has stood over the River Thames in London since 1894 and is one of the finest, most recognizable bridges in the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.2 Km or 3.2 Miles
The latter has stood over the River Thames in London since 1894 and is one of the finest, most recognizable bridges in the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.2 Km or 3.2 Miles
Walk around Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, the British monarch's official residence, is a must-see for anyone visiting London, but so are the adjacent royal establishments that give a unique window into the royal way of life. On this self-guided walking tour, along with Buckingham Palace and its memorable fountain, you will visit the St. James's private royal residence, the wonderful Queen's Gallery, and... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Covent Garden Walking Tour
A shopping and entertainment hub on the eastern fringes of London's West End, Covent Garden is a district historically associated with the former fruit-and-vegetable market – currently a shopping spot popular with locals and tourists alike.
Once a slum area, today the north of the district is given over to independent shops centered on Neal's Yard and Seven Dials. Both places offer... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Once a slum area, today the north of the district is given over to independent shops centered on Neal's Yard and Seven Dials. Both places offer... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
London's Historic Pubs Walk
If there’s any more iconic symbol for London than Big Ben or the London Eye, then it must be the traditional English pub. And London sure is full of them, dating from pre-Victorian times to just about five minutes ago.
With so much history surrounding London there is no shortage of historic pubs to choose from. Whether you fancy half-timbered, rambling watering holes or small but perfectly... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.6 Km or 3.5 Miles
With so much history surrounding London there is no shortage of historic pubs to choose from. Whether you fancy half-timbered, rambling watering holes or small but perfectly... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.6 Km or 3.5 Miles
Sherlock Holmes Tour in London
Among a myriad of other, real-life celebrities who have ever called London their home, perhaps the most famous is the fictional consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes, created by Conan Doyle. Indeed, the ingenious sleuth has left an indelible mark on the literary and cultural landscape of London ever since the appearance of the first stories about him in the late 1880s. Years on, there are several... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
South Bank Walking Tour
The South Bank is a stretch of the Thames in London that is beautiful to walk through because there are so many iconic and magnificent things to see along the way. A lively and ever-changing area at the heart of London’s cultural scene, it also has the advantage of offering views across the Thames to some of the most famous buildings anywhere. The Palace of Westminster is the major feature in... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles
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