202604 City of London

PHOTOGRAPHY: Monday 20 April 2026; Visit to the City of London.

A group of eight from the Photography Group travelled to London to look at architecture around the City of London.

We walked from Fenchurch Street through to St Mary Axe and the Gherkin, back through the Undershaft to Leadenhall Street, the Lloyds Building and Leadenhall Market, dating back to 1321 (current market building 1881) and known in recent times for scenes in Harry Potter.

We took a back route to Eastcheap via Plantation Lane and then into Lovat Lane, entering the St Mary-at-Hill Church (Christopher Wren) – unknown to most of us. St. Marys has a strong fisheries influence supporting Billingsgate Market and is known for the "October Festival of the Sea," celebrating the fish harvest – a bit like the Whitebait festival held in Southend annually.

Then onto the Monument, London Bridge and back along the Thames Path towards the Tower of London.

After lunch at Zizzi, we visited All Hallows by the Tower church, the oldest church in the City of London, founded by the Abbey of Barking in 675AD. This again has many aspects of naval/sea influences including a crows nest from Shackleton’s last expedition in 1923 on the Quest.

We then visited The Four Seasons Hotel (originally the Port of London Authority) and St Olave’s Church, known for the burial site of Samuel Pepys and strong associations with Norway and its royal family and Trinity House.

Lots to see and some good photo opportunities – the weather was chilly but at least it didn’t rain. We had an extremely enjoyable day.

Best Wishes, Mavis