The Bank of England Museum, Threadneedle Street housed within the actual Bank of England, it traces the history of the Bank from its foundation by Royal Charter in 1694 to its role today as the nation's central bank.

There are gold bars dating from ancient times to the modern market bar, coins and a unique collection of bank notes, as well as a few items you might not expect to find. These include pikes and muskets used to defend the Bank (from Europe one presumes) and documents relating to some of its more famous customers such as Horatio Nelson and George Washington.

Quite austere as one might expect, and full of schoolchildren, as one might also expect.

The Royal Exchange, Threadneedle Street was founded by Sir Thomas Gresham in 1565 and established as a centre for commerce.

With its neo-classical portico, it easily overshadows the Bank of England, and its sweeping steps at the front are a great place to sit and eat lunch.

Sadly, it is now nothing more than a high-class shopping complex, but when I say high-class, I mean 10 minutes spent here could cost you the equivalent of a typical Swindon mortgage.

Canary Wharf Tower designed by Cesar Pelli, at 800 feet it was for a short time the tallest building in Europe. It boasts 50 floors and 32 lifts.

Now the area is London's second financial centre (it extends to more than 86 acres) and is renowned for its architecture and public sculpture.

But enough of today's lesson, simply go and look at it for that 'wow' factor.

Lloyds of London is the world's leading insurance market with a capacity to accept insurance premiums of £14.4bn this year.

It is also the world's second largest commercial insurer and sixth largest reinsurance group.

Sadly, tours of the building are restricted to small groups and individuals already involved in international insurance. So if you're in the meat trades, it's unlikely you get an audience. Nevertheless, still great to stand outside of.