1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:02,240 Hi, I'm David Hill with New York Habitat. 2 00:00:02,240 --> 00:00:06,000 Today we're going to take you for a tour of the Financial District of London, known quite 3 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:30,559 simply as The City. 4 00:00:30,559 --> 00:00:33,960 The City of London is just a small part of modern day London. 5 00:00:33,960 --> 00:00:38,640 The City, as we know it, constitutes the ancient city that was established nearly 2,000 years 6 00:00:38,640 --> 00:00:39,640 ago. 7 00:00:39,640 --> 00:00:43,420 The city boundaries roughly mirror those of the ancient town which remained largely unaltered 8 00:00:43,420 --> 00:00:53,679 until the 18th century and the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution. 9 00:00:53,679 --> 00:00:57,880 The city is also known as the Square Mile as it covers approximately one square mile 10 00:00:57,880 --> 00:01:03,799 of central London. Its original city gates no longer stand, but their names remain – Bishopsgate, 11 00:01:03,799 --> 00:01:09,319 Aldgate, Moorgate and Newgate. With the River Thames as its southern border and the Tower of 12 00:01:09,319 --> 00:01:13,799 London guarding the river, the city became a well-protected and well-connected trading port 13 00:01:13,799 --> 00:01:21,510 in Roman times. Standing guard over the City of London since 1066 and the successful invasion of 14 00:01:21,510 --> 00:01:26,629 William the Conqueror, the Tower of London stands as a powerful reminder of its turbulent past as 15 00:01:26,629 --> 00:01:30,750 as a fortress, a state prison, and a place of execution. 16 00:01:30,750 --> 00:01:33,150 Today, the Tower of London is a wonderful attraction 17 00:01:33,150 --> 00:01:35,629 housing royal armor, the crown jewels, 18 00:01:35,629 --> 00:01:38,109 and home to the tower ravens. 19 00:01:38,109 --> 00:01:40,329 Legend has it that should the ravens leave the tower, 20 00:01:40,329 --> 00:01:41,590 the country will fall. 21 00:01:48,019 --> 00:01:50,920 Leadenhall Market dates back to the 14th century. 22 00:01:50,920 --> 00:01:52,640 Once a meat and poultry market, 23 00:01:52,640 --> 00:01:56,000 it was redesigned in the 1880s by Sir Horace Jones, 24 00:01:56,000 --> 00:01:58,099 and the domed roof, cobbled walkways, 25 00:01:58,099 --> 00:01:59,700 and wonderful decorations 26 00:01:59,700 --> 00:02:03,299 make it the attraction it is today. 27 00:02:03,299 --> 00:02:06,840 If you look closely you can still see the original wrought iron hooks where produce 28 00:02:06,840 --> 00:02:15,800 was displayed in Victorian London. 29 00:02:15,800 --> 00:02:19,240 The River Thames runs through the heart of London and London would not be the city it 30 00:02:19,240 --> 00:02:20,659 is today without it. 31 00:02:20,659 --> 00:02:25,060 The river has less impact on London's economy today but there are several river boat services 32 00:02:25,060 --> 00:02:33,909 and sightseeing tours showing some wonderful riverside attractions. 33 00:02:33,909 --> 00:02:38,030 The City of London is arguably the financial capital of the world, although New York may 34 00:02:38,030 --> 00:02:40,050 have something to say about that. 35 00:02:40,050 --> 00:02:43,770 More than 500 banks have offices here at the Bank of England. 36 00:02:43,770 --> 00:02:47,830 Predominantly serving the financial sector, there are over 300,000 people working within 37 00:02:47,830 --> 00:02:56,949 the city boundaries. 38 00:02:56,949 --> 00:02:59,750 The city is the financial and legal centre of London. 39 00:02:59,750 --> 00:03:03,050 If you're here on business, then why not consider one of New York Habitat's service 40 00:03:03,050 --> 00:03:05,409 departments here in the heart of the city. 41 00:03:05,409 --> 00:03:11,780 We have a range of apartments available from one day to one year throughout the area. 42 00:03:11,780 --> 00:03:16,819 It was in the city on Pudding Lane that the Great Fire of London started in 1666. 43 00:03:16,819 --> 00:03:21,180 The monument behind us, designed by Christopher Wren, stands as a lasting memory of the Great 44 00:03:21,180 --> 00:03:32,639 Fire which destroyed the medieval city. 45 00:03:32,639 --> 00:03:36,659 St. Paul's Cathedral is one of London's most recognized landmarks. 46 00:03:36,659 --> 00:03:41,419 Victim of the Great Fire, St. Paul's was rebuilt in the 1600s and is the final resting place 47 00:03:41,419 --> 00:03:46,360 of some of England's greatest figures, including Sir Winston Churchill, Lord Nelson and the 48 00:03:46,360 --> 00:03:57,729 Duke of Wellington. 49 00:03:57,729 --> 00:04:00,509 The city boasts some wonderful historic sites. 50 00:04:00,509 --> 00:04:04,370 In contrast, there is some wonderfully innovative contemporary architecture. 51 00:04:04,370 --> 00:04:09,930 No. 1 Poultry, the Lloyds Building known as the Inside Out Building, and 30 St. Mary Acts 52 00:04:09,930 --> 00:04:12,770 known by all Londoners as the Gherkin. 53 00:04:12,770 --> 00:04:19,579 The city highlights the rich culture of London, both ancient and modern. 54 00:04:19,579 --> 00:04:24,079 Well, we've come to the end of our video tour of the city here in London. 55 00:04:24,079 --> 00:04:27,959 If you know of any fun spots to visit, make sure you leave a comment in the comment section 56 00:04:27,959 --> 00:04:30,819 below. 57 00:04:30,819 --> 00:04:35,220 And if you're coming to London, be sure to visit our website at nyhabitat.com and book 58 00:04:35,220 --> 00:04:39,899 a vacation rental or furnished apartment with New York Habitat. You'll find furnished apartments 59 00:04:39,899 --> 00:04:46,550 all over London. 60 00:04:46,550 --> 00:04:50,649 I'm David Hill with New York Habitat. Thanks for watching our video tour of the city and 61 00:04:50,649 --> 00:04:53,649 we hope to see you soon in the exciting City of London.