Bank of England May Architecture Walking Tour

Explore the iconic Bank of England building like never before with our guided walking tours around the outside of the building, covering 300 years of Bank history. Join us as we explore how the Bank has changed from 1694 to its current site on Threadneedle Street.

The free tour will take you outside the Bank’s first premises in Mercer’s Hall on Cheapside and Grocer’s Hall on Princes Street. Then marvel at the exterior façade of the Bank’s current building which has changed many times over the years. Hear about the different architects who helped create one of the most iconic buildings in the City of London, including Sir John Soane who designed the curtain wall surrounding the 3.25 acre site today.
Continue the tour inside the Bank of England Museum where you can see the reconstruction of the old Stock Office – a late 1700s banking hall designed by Soane. Learn how the classical style masks the security features which protect the Bank.
After the tour, feel free to wander inside the museum to find out more about the history of the Bank and its work today. Plus, delve further into the architectural history of the Bank with our current exhibition, ‘Building the Bank’, which explores Herbert Baker’s transformation of the Threadneedle Street site.

The tours are free to attend, but booking is essential. Tickets for later slots will become available to book closer to the time. Our newsletter subscribers always receive early access links to book tickets - sign up here!
Essential Information:

• Tours consist of 45 minutes of walking around the City of London, and 15 minutes in the Museum. Please ensure you are comfortable on your feet for this timeframe.
• Please arrive at the Museum's entrance on Bartholomew Lane at 12.30pm, where the tour will begin.
• Ticket capacity for bookings is capped at 3 bookings per person.
• If you can no longer make your slot after booking, we kindly ask that you cancel your ticket through Eventbrite so we can offer the place to someone else.
• There are toilet facilities in the Museum.
• The Museum will be open from 10am to 5pm, with last visitor entry at 4.30pm.

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Host or Publisher Bank of England Museum