PRO TIP: You are not charged for the first 30 minutes of every ride, so if you take your bike back to a station before the 30 minutes is up you will be riding for free. Use the bike to get from point A to point B and save a bunch of $ on rental fees!

Our first stop is my favorite area of London; Southwark pronounced Suth-erk. Situated on the south bank of the River Thames, Southwark Cathedral is London’s oldest cathedral and oldest Gothic church, and a stands as an architectural marvel. The current church dates back to the 12th century, but records indicate there has been a church on this site as early as 606 AD. There are even indications of Roman pagan worship here well before that.

The cathedral itself is tucked away from bustling London in a quiet street which makes it all the more charming. I love to stop in and admire the grand interior, pop down into the museum, and stroll the grounds to examine the myriad of ancient artifacts floating about. It really is like a giant open museum onto itself. Don’t miss the memorial window to William Shakespeare and the Harvard Chapel, a tribute to university founder John Harvard who was born in the parish.

Just across the way from Southwark Cathedral lies Borough Market, another reason why I love this area. As London’s oldest food market, Borough Market has been serving the people of Southwark for 1,000 years. The market’s amazing heritage is an important part of its appeal and whether you’re browsing for food or simply wanting to take a stroll, this is a great place to soak up local London. There’s a few pubs surrounding the market as well so I often will go into the market to grab some cheese or a plate of food then head over to the pub for a pint and banter with local Londoners.

I absolutely love history, and London has it in spades. But, what I also love about London is that many of its most significant and historically interesting sites are not well known to tourists. One such site is Temple Church just near Fleet Street. Lying ‘off street’ between Fleet Street and the River Thames, Temple Church was built by the Knights Templar in the 12th century and has some significant architectural features unique in London. The Knights Templar was an order of crusading monks founded to protect pilgrims on their way to and from the Holy Land.

This little gem is famous for its rare circular nave called “the Round” which was built to mirror the great Holy Sepulcher church in Jerusalem. Its location hidden in a small square off a main street adds to its charm, where you can wander the oasis of ancient buildings, courtyard, and gardens the church lies around.

Next we head for Renaissance London at the Banqueting House, a gem hiding in plain sight. This beautiful testament to English architecture was the first to be built in the Neoclassical style in Britain, and serves as the only surviving building of Whitehall Palace. Whitehall Palace was the principal royal residence of the British Monarchy from 1530-1698 before it was destroyed by fire. The Banqueting House was also the site of King Charles’ I execution in 1649, and today still boasts magnificent art in its walls and ceilings.

Now, we are just a short bike ride along the River Thames to reach the Monument. Located at the junction of Monument Street and Fish Street Hill, The Monument was built to commemorate the Great Fire of London, and to further celebrate the rebuilding of London after the devastating fire. It was after this great fire of 1666 that London started to truly become a global capital as it transitioned from a city of wood to a city of stone and marble. Sir Christopher Wren, London’s greatest architect responsible for the construction, also built other grand structures around the city at the same time, such as the world-class St. Paul’s Cathedral. Visitors can climb up 160 feet to the top platform for unique views of central London.

We’ve done a lot of sightseeing today so it’s time for a bite to eat. While it may be #2,077 on TripAdvisor, Café in the Crypt should be at the top of your list if you’re looking for a unique dining experience. This simple eatery lies in an underground crypt beneath St. Martin in the Fields church and is often overlooked by passersby. Located right in the heart of central London in the busy Trafalgar Square, it’s easy to miss this hidden gem and I try to pop in at least once during my visits to London.

We know you’ve got a busy day ahead of you so that’s all the touring we will be doing today. Check out our other destinations for more favorite Guidester moments!