Along with the City of Westminster, it is probably the most famous London borough in the whole country—if not the world. Today, as part of your upcoming teen language study trip to London, LEC has chosen to focus on the City of London.
Right in the heart of the UK's largest city
Although its official name, in the language of Molière, is the City of London, many people on our side of the Channel refer to it by its English name: City of London, shortened to “the City.” It owes its immense fame to its dual status:
- the historic heart of the capital, on the one hand
- on the one hand, as the geographical center of the metropolitan area, and on the other hand
A world-famous business district
Visiting the City during a teen language study trip to London means exploring not only the smallest administrative borough in Greater London, but also what is arguably the most famous business district in all of Europe. The City is home to the headquarters of numerous banks and companies; as for its stock exchange, it ranks among the world’s leading financial centers alongside those of New York and Tokyo.
The Lord Mayor of London and the Mayor of London: two distinct roles
The City of London has another unique feature: its status grants it the title of both a city and a ceremonial county—a rarity in the United Kingdom. Thus, the current mayor of London, Boris Johnson, technically has no authority over the City: that role falls to the Lord Mayor of London, a position held by Alan Yarrow since November 7, 2014.
What to see in the City of London?
If you had to choose just two monuments to visit in the City of London, we would mention:
- St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, a masterpiece designed by Christopher Wren
- The Gherkin, the famous skyscraper located at 30 St Mary Axe