We were really pleased this year to once more receive funding from the City of London to take community groups and school groups exploring and making the most of the fascinating and rich culture and heritage of the city.
Places we have visited include the Museum of London, The Mithraeum, The Guildhall, The Royal Exchange, the Guildhall Art Museum, Leadenhall Market, St. Paul’s Cathedral and The Tower of London. We visited the Sky Garden on top of the Walkie Talkie building in Fenchurch street to see the amazing view of the city, with the River Thames stretched out before us. We also got a great view of skyscrapers like the Cheesegrater, the Shard and Heron Tower that dominate the city’s skyline today.
Many of the participants enjoyed exploring the alleyways, courtyards, cobbled streets and churchyards that you do not easily see from the main roads. We enjoyed finding out more about the story of the Great Fire of London at the Monument and discovering the mysterious roman cult of Mithras in the basement at the Mithraeum and in the Museum of London. So much of London’s history is right underneath our feet! Despite the immense damage caused by The Great Fire of London and the London Blitz there are so many beautiful churches to explore, 51 of them were rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren and colleagues from 1666 onwards, following the fire.
One of the most fun aspects of the visits and walks was when we relaxed in a beautiful churchyard for lunch. Often we found ourselves in St. Dunstan’s in the East or St. Peter’s churchyard or St. Paul’s churchyard. Surprisingly green and peaceful for a bustling centre of business and commerce!
Thank you to The Abbey Centre, West Kensington Seniors group, St. John 
Walham Green primary school, The Westbourne and Church street Community Champions, Westminster Libraries English Speaking group, HCGA Get Out There team, The Seed Project (Positively UK), and all the west London residents who joined us on our discovery walks and to the City of London for supporting the project. We really enjoyed our time in the City of London this year and look forward to coming along again soon!