City of London wonders: attractions not to miss near Chiswell Street

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Known primarily for its historical – and present-day – role as the financial centre of not just the UK capital and the wider UK (and one of the biggest commerce hubs in the entire world), the City of London is also resplendent with many tourist-focused sites and venues – indeed, with few of them necessarily ‘financial’ in focus. Here then – ideal if you’re staying at nearby accommodation like a Chiswell Street hotel – you’ll come across the following auspicious attractions…

The Barbican Centre

(Silk Street EC2Y 8DS)

The biggest – and definitely one of the best – multi-arts centre in the whole of Europe, the Barbican is a byword for awesome art, fantastic films, marvellous music, theatre and dance performances and education; all of it under one roof within this striking building unforgettable for its brutalist-architecture-appearance. Moreover, you’ll discover there’s a fine array of eating and drinking options at the venue, offering up something to please every taste, for sure. In terms of separate actual venues within its interior, the site contains a concert hall, two theatres, three cinemas, two art galleries, a library, two trade exhibition halls, five conference rooms, foyers, shops and a conservatory. Oh, and the Barbican is home to the London Symphony Orchestra and often where the Royal Shakespeare Company performs when in the UK capital. Perfect for the Montcalm hotel London.

John Wesley’s Chapel and Museum of Methodism

(49 City Road EC1Y 1AU)

Built by the world-famous founder of Methodism way back in 1778 and, with its gorgeous Georgian lines, the only Methodist Church to feature in Simon Jenkins’ 1998 book ‘England’s Thousand Best Churches’ – and the address at which he lived for the final 11 winters of his life (when the busy chap wasn’t out and about, touring to preach to Methodist societies around Britain) – this charming house when on to become home to many preachers of its on-site chapel and their families for many decades thereafter.

Comprising a vast array of Wesley’s own belongings (such as both his ‘electrical machine’ and his study chair), one of its major highlights, though, is its tiny Prayer Room, which is designated considered as the ‘power house’ of Methodism by followers of the denomination throughout the world. Meanwhile, its new, impressive museum, located in the chapel’s crypt, features a large number of beguiling objects including Wesley’s own death mask and hair, 18th Century pieces derived from Methodist churches throughout the world.

Museum of London

(150 London Wall EC2Y 5HN)

If you’ve a spare moment during your stay in the ‘Square Mile’ (either for pleasure or business – for which you may have made your base accommodation that comes with meeting rooms City of London), then should you enter through the doors of the wondrous Museum of London, you’ll fast discover you’re in for an unforgettable journey through the UK capital’s unforgettably tumultuous and extremely rich past. Starting all the way back with what would have been ‘prehistoric London’, it tells the city’s story first under Roman- and Saxon-control, then the medieval London era and also during the hugely turbulent period when London was ravaged by a combination of civil wars, plague and fire. Following this, step into the Galleries of Modern London and you’ll have the opportunity to stroll the streets of the capital in Victorian times, with recreated pleasure gardens and an extraordinary, genuine gilded Lord Mayor’s Coach.