Trading Place: uncovering London's commercial roots

The very first written description of London (by a Roman historian) says it is "full of people doing deals". This remains true. We have all heard of "the City" as a place of financial dealing. But how did London's commercial character evolve over 2, 000 years? To understand this it's very helpful to have a knowledgeable guide to show you the sites you can still see and the history you can't. I worked for many years as a Management Consultant (McKinsey among others) and am a qualified City of London Guide: so I am perfectly equipped to take you through the story and around the sites of "business London". I have also worked as a stand-up comedian, so I can do all this in an entertaining way! We will start from looking at the river, thinking about the sights (and smells!) of medieval trading and guilds. We will then explore the old, narrow alleys where coffee shops became the major financial institutions we know today. We will also discuss how slavery played its role in London's wealth.

- Start at the site of the ancient Walbrook River and follow it down to the Thames, Using public murals to show how trade grew, look at some ancient Livery Halls and learn about the trade guilds that made the medieval city tick - Dive into the narrow alleys in the heart of the City to see where in the 1600's coffee shops put down the roots of many financial institutions - Passing one of Dickens' favourite pubs, find the site of the East India Company and learn about imperial exploitation and the importance of slavery - Finishing at the beautiful Leadenhall Market, site of the Roman basilica and forum 2, 000 years ago: and still full of people doing deals! The itinerary is flexible, for any changes please let me know.