JAN25: Under the Walls and Lookout over the City

GET SOCIAL THIS JANUARY! This event is one of loads of events taking place over the same weekend! Check out all the events over the weekend of 17-19 January 2025: OutdoorLads.events/JAN25. Great for new and regular members!

SUNDAY EVENT

NOTE: The actual sights will be confirmed in the first week of January. I’ve checked and should be able to make confirmed group bookings at that time. This page will be updated then and I will message attendees. Therefore, the precise sights and itinerary are subject to change.

We will visit the City Wall at Vine Street, Leadenhall Market and (to be confirmed) the viewing platforms at The Lookout and public garden at Sky Garden.

If The Lookout and Sky Garden cannot be visited as a group, Plan B includes a group visit to the Guildhall Gallery and Museum (gallery, museum and remains of Roman amphitheatre).

You will need to pass through airport style security to enter some of the buildings. Your bags will be searched, so please bring the minimum you need to save time. No food or alcohol to be taken into the Lookout or Sky Garden.

There will be time for a quick lunch. 

Optional: End at the Cross Keys pub on Bishopsgate - https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/the-crosse-keys-city-of-london/

We’ll also stop to see hidden sights, gardens and outside only of the churches (All Hallows by the Tower, St Dunstan’s ruined church and St Olave’s church ) within the medieval street plan of the City of London, shadowed by skyscrapers and modern sculptures.

Please note that all sights have free entry. If you sign up, once I confirm bookings in January, subject to usual provisos, please can you avoid cancelling at the last minute.

We won’t be guided around each place, but will have time to explore and meet up at the end of each visit to move on.

The sights 

PLAN A

City Wall at Vine Street https://citywallvinestreet.org/#about

This part of the 3km Roman wall that protected Londinium was hidden from view until this museum opened in May 2023. We’ll descend below street level to reveal the wall (190-230AD) and only remaining London Roman bastion (375AD), plus the well displayed artefacts found here (Roman tiles, medieval “debris” and a tile with cat paw print). This was hidden until 1979 but without public access, until the recent development of student accomodation. Bonus of a café at the end.

The Lookout https://www.8bishopsgate.com/lookout

This viewing platform at No 8 Bishopsgate opened in 2023 and reaches 204m. We’ll ascend to the 50th floor for a stellar view westwards over London, south to the Thames and a bit of the east. The lifts are quite small, so it’ll take a while to get us up and down, and there is no café, but it’s less popular and “cosier” than the taller (278m) neighbour Horizon 22, visited on my previous event https://www.outdoorlads.com/events/londons-highest-view-and-down-its-foundations-240322)

Leadenhall Market

We will admire the Victorian (1881) structure which marks the site of a much older 14th century market, and Roman forum. Dick Whittington acquired and gifted the market to the people of London in 1411. He also funded first public toilet with space for 64 men, but also 64 women. We love toilet trivia!

Sky Garden https://skygarden.london/what-is-sky-garden/

This is London’s highest public garden at 20 Fenchurch Street, otherwise known as the Walkie Talkie. It was opened in January 2015, and is 38 stories high at 162m. The view stretches along the Thames and both southwards but also north to the cluster of skyscrapers in the City itself. We should have time to stop at the café or bars also. It “won” the Carbuncle Cup in 2015 – you decide! It’s not quite Kew Gardens at the top, but there are ferns, succulents and (subject the weather and not after dark) an outdoor viewing platform southwards.

PLAN B (if some of PLAN A cannot be confirmed in January)

Guildhall Museum and Gallery - https://www.thecityofldn.com/directory/guildhall-art-gallery/

The Gallery contains part of the Corporation of London’s art collection including its notable Victorian works and paintings of London. The remains of the Roman arena where gladiators and wild animals fought can also be viewed below ground.

New Members

New members are very welcome. Please message me if you have any questions or concerns before the day. Whilst we are a very open and welcoming group, if you wish, we may be able to organise an existing member to buddy up with you before or on the day. Do also feel free to arrive early as I’m always around much earlier than the start time. 

Dogs

Sorry, no dogs are permitted at these sights.

IMPORTANT! – Participation Statement

You MUST complete a Participation Statement, in addition to booking your event space before attending an OutdoorLads event. You only need to complete this Participation Statement once, not for each event you attend.

(All images were taken by Alex Young.)