After a 250-year absence, the ‘Dictionary Desk’ of celebrated 18th century writer Samuel Johnson makes a historic return to his former abode, Dr Johnson’s House in the City of London.
A big day in the City’s calendar
Visit the City on Saturday 8 November and watch the 2025 Lord Mayor’s Show, one of the biggest days in the City of London each year.
Enjoy the spectacle and welcome the new Lord Mayor, travelling in the gleaming State Coach. There's plenty of places to watch from along the route from Mansion House to the Royal Courts of Justice and back! Note that there's a different route in each direction.
The Lord Mayor's Show is an annual event that dates back over 800 years. The original purpose of this historic event was to welcome the new Lord Mayor, and to "show" them to the people of the City. During the procession the Lord Mayor will swear an oath of allegiance to the sovereign at the Royal Courts of Justice.
The Show will be a lively spectacle of sights and sounds, showcasing the unique blend of elements that define the Square Mile. You'll experience marching bands, City livery companies in traditional attire, alongside modern businesses, community groups, schools, and charities. Typically, over 7,000 participants, 200 horses, and approximately 150 groups and floats come together in a three-mile-long procession to celebrate the Lord Mayor’s first full day in office.
Find out more about the Lord Mayor of the City of London.
More information about the show itself can be found on the Lord Mayor's Show website.
How to watch the show
In the morning the Lord Mayor’s Procession goes from Mansion House to the Royal Courts via St Pauls. At 11am the parade begins to leave Mansion House, the Lord Mayor's official residence. In the early afternoon it comes back by way of the Embankment and Victoria Street.
The dedicated Lord Mayor's Show website has some fantastic recommendations on some of the best places to watch the show from.
Why not make a full day of it with plenty of other things to see & do in the City after the show:
City Information Centre
Pop into the City Information Centre near St Paul's Cathedral for advice on things to do and to pick up the City Visitor Trail.
Guildhall Art Gallery (Open 11am to 5pm, Free Entry)
Visit the Guildhall Art Gallery and look out for the artworks of the Lord Mayor's Show in previous years, and see a wide range of paintings depicting London over 350 years! There will also be family-friendly crafts and activities happening inside.
London's Roman Amphitheatre (Open 11am to 5pm, Free Entry)
Discover London's Roman Amphitheatre and step into Roman ruins where crowds once gathered to watch wild animal fights, public executions and gladiatorial combat.
Self-Guided Waling Trails
Explore the City with free self-guided walking trails like the City Visitor Trail, or Sculpture in the City Art Trail (children's map also available). Free printed maps are available from the City Information Centre.
Museums, Attractions and Galleries
Enjoy a wide range of attractions, museums and galleries across the City.
Cafes and Restaurants in the City
Find places to eat and drink, with a variety of restaurants, cafes and bars for all tastes.
Explore the shops in the City
Take the opportunity to explore the are and do a bit of shopping.
Getting there
The City has plenty of transport links but check with TfL for service changes. There will be significant road closures and restrictions in place to accommodate the procession - so drivers should check their route - and no buses can travel through the City of London or along the Embankment from 7am until about 4pm.
