The City of London is a ceremonial county and has a local government area that is separate to the county of Greater London which surrounds it. It’s long been the heart of political, religious and financial power in Britain.
This page is about the City of London because it is a county in its own right. However, there is some overlap with our page about the county of Greater London.
See the Local History Videos page
for a fascinating look at film footage of the City of London over more than a century
Why is the City of London not London?
The City of London is a small part of central London with an area of 1.12 sq miles (or 716.80 acres, or 2.9 square kilometres). However, London is a huge capital city covering 600 square miles (or 1500 square kilometres).
Is London a city or a town?
London is a city, and furthermore is the capital city of England. However, the City of London is a very small and precise district within London.
The 25 wards of the City of London are much smaller than, and perform a different role to the 32 boroughs of Central London. The 25 wards are:
- Aldersgate
- Aldgate
- Bassishaw
- Billingsgate
- Bishopsgate
- Bread Street
- Bridge
- Broad Street
- Candlewick
- Castle Baynard
- Cheap
- Coleman Street
- Cordwainer
- Cornhill
- Cripplegate
- Dowgate
- Farringdon Within
- Farringdon Without
- Langbourn
- Lime Street
- Portsoken
- Queenhithe
- Tower
- Vintry
- Walbrook
Does anyone live in the City of London?
About 10,000 people live in the City of London, whereas more than 9 million people live in London. However, almost half a million people work in the City of London. That’s why it has such good public transport links.
Local History Resources
- UK national resources
- Greater London local history resources
- City of London Archaeological Society
- City of London Livery Companies
- Guildhall School – Laying the Foundations
- London Historians
- London, Westminter & Middlesex Family History Society
- Westminster City Archives
Back to Local History Videos Home page
Thanks to Johannes Plenio for use of the image shown at the top of this page.
