Page 158 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - London

156  L ONDON AREA B Y AREA

Norwegian Christian leader, top lead to a viewing platform,
was brutally murdered in 1116. which was enclosed with
When Christopher Wren built railings in 1842 after a suicide.
this church in 1671–6, it was at The views are spectacular.
the foot of old London Bridge,
until 1738 the only bridge across
the River Thames in London. w Old Billingsgate
Anyone going south from the Lower Thames St EC3. Map 15 C3.
city would have passed under 1 Monument. Closed to the public.
Apothecaries’ Hall, rebuilt in 1670 Wren’s magnificent arched porch
spanning the flagstones leading London’s main fish market was
8 Apothecaries’ to the old bridge. based here for 900 years, on one
Hall Highlights of St Magnus the of the city’s earliest quays. During
Martyr include the carved musical the 19th and early 20th centuries,
Blackfriars Lane EC4. Map 14 F2. instruments that decorate the 400 tonnes of fish were sold
Tel 020 7236 1189. 1 Blackfriars. organ case. Wren’s pulpit, with here every day, much delivered
Courtyard Open 9am–5pm Mon–Fri. its slender supporting stem, by boat. It was London’s noisiest
Closed pub hols, end Aug. Phone Hall was restored in 1924. market, renowned, even in
for appt to visit (groups only).
∑ apothecaries.org Shakespeare’s day, for foul
language. In 1982, the market
London has had livery com­ moved from this building (1877)
panies, or guilds, to protect and to the Isle of Dogs.
regulate specific trades since
early medieval times. The
Apothecaries’ Society was e The Sky Garden
founded in 1617 for those who 20 Fenchurch St EC3. Map 15 C2.
prepared, prescribed or sold Tel 020 7337 2344. 1 Bank,
drugs. It has some surprising Monument. Open 10am–6pm
alumni, including Oliver Crom­ Mon–Fri (last adm 5pm), 11am–9pm
well and the poet John Keats. Sat & Sun (last adm 8pm). Advance
Now nearly all the members are booking essential. 70
physicians or surgeons. ∑ skygarden.london
Completed in 2014, the Rafael
9 Fishmongers’ Hall Viñoly­designed 20 Fenchurch
Street skyscraper is commonly
London Bridge EC4. Map 15 B3. known as the “Walkie­Talkie”,
Tel 020 7626 3531. 1 Monument.
Closed to the public. Limited tours by thanks to its unusual shape. It
appt only. ∑ fishhall.org.uk The altar of St Magnus the Martyr has been the most controversial
of London’s modern towers,
This is home to the Fishmongers’ partly because its shape and
Company, which was established q Monument position makes it particularly
in 1272. Its most illust rious Monument St EC3. Map 15 C2. obtrusive on the city skyline.
member was Lord Mayor Tel 020 7626 2717. 1 Monument. However, it’s one of the few with
Walworth, who killed Wat Tyler, Open 9:30am–5:30pm daily (to 6pm free, straight­forward public
leader of the Peasants’ Revolt, in Apr–Sep). Closed 1 Jan, 24–26 Dec. access: simply book a ticket
1381 (see p166). The com pany & ∑ themonument.info online to the Sky Garden, a large
still fulfils its original role; all the three­level viewing deck at the
fish sold in the City must be The column designed by top of the building. Tickets are
inspected by company officials. Christopher Wren to commem­ released three weeks in advance,
orate the Great Fire of London, and go quickly for popular
0 St Magnus which devastated the original times. There is also the Sky Pod
walled city in September 1666, is
bar (pre­booking advised) and
the Martyr the tallest isolated stone column some pricey restaurants, but
in the world. It is 61.5 m (202 ft) these have more limited views.
Lower Thames St EC3. Map 15 C3.
Tel 020 7626 4481. 1 Monument. high and is said to be 61.5 m Thanks to its location, the Sky
Open 10am–4pm Tue–Fri. west of where the fire started in Garden is a perfect place from
5 12:30pm Tue–Fri, 11am Sun. 7 Pudding Lane. It was sited on the which to view London’s other
∑ stmagnusmartyr. org.uk direct approach to old London mega­structures. To the south,
Bridge, which was a few steps the Shard (see p186) stands
There has been a church here downstream from the present majestically alone. To the north
for over 1,000 years. Its patron one. Reliefs around the column’s are Tower 42, formerly the
saint, St Magnus, Earl of the base show Charles II restoring NatWest Tower (183 m/600 ft);
Orkney Islands and a renowned the city. The 311 steps to the the immediately recognizable

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