Over the course of three days, we'll be spilling out of the London Centre and transforming Aldermanbury into a temporary space for rest, play and knowledge-sharing, testing alternative ways of using this space for locals and visitors alike. This will help us to convene ideas and thoughts on how we can use these spaces as we look towards a city of the future. 

 

2025 marks 20 years of NLA - London’s Built Environment Community. Founded back in July 2005, NLA is the largest cross-sector membership body for everyone working in city-making across the capital. Our network has grown over the years and now totals 30,000+ members who work across all aspects of city governance, planning, design, development, and management, spanning public and private sectors. 

 

The street activation is made possible with the support of Culture Mile and Destination City, and key programme partners, and coincides with the closing of the 2025 London Festival of Architecture, which this year focuses on the theme of "Voices." Architecture is not just about creation—it’s about listening, amplifying, and weaving together the diverse voices that shape our spaces, stories, and communities. 

As part of our On The Street! programme, we'll be adorning Aldermanbury with a brand new exhibition. This three-day pop-up exhibition explores how London’s streets are being reimagined as sustainable, inclusive public spaces for everyone. Make sure to come along and have a read to see the future of our area.

Times:
Monday June 30th- 14:00-19:00
Tuesday July 1st- 08:00-18:00
Wednesday July 2nd- 08:00-18:00

Across each day, there'll be a whole host of events taking place such as walking tours, exhibitions and more:

Layers of the City: Unearthing the Guildhall's Past: 14:00-18:00
Discover the rich architectural and social history of the Guildhall and its surrounding area through maps, plans and rare documents from The London Archives.

Opening of "The street talks back! When public spaces speak for the people" exhibition: 14:00-18:00
The start of a three-day pop-up exhibition on Aldermanbury Street exploring how London’s streets are being reimagined as sustainable, inclusive public spaces for everyone.

The Community is Dancing Again!: 18:30-19:00 

Sutton Community Dance have created a unique performance for LFA2025, centring around the 2025 theme of Voices. The intergenerational piece reflects how Voices clash, unite and shape identity through movement, rhythm and emotion. 

Culture Mile Takeover Day
Set against the backdrop of a temporary road closure, Tuesday will showcase the key themes of Culture Mile’s work, bringing a packed programme of free outdoor activities to local workers, residents and visitors. With fitness sessions, planting workshops, street food, walking tours, live music and a Pride celebration, the event will offer something for everyone from early-morning yoga to evening festivities.

Yoga and Exercise Classes: 08:00-08:45
An early morning movement session to help you de-stress and stretch away from your desk, including a unique class led by a deaf instructor exploring sound, silence and the body.  Please wear comfortable clothing that you can move and stretch in and bring a yoga mat/towel.

Book here

Wellness and Green Spaces Walking Tour: 10:30-11:30
Discover the hidden stories and green spaces of the City through a Culture Mile Wellness and Green Spaces tour.

Book here

Play Cycles health and wellbeing workshops: 11:00-14:00
Join London Museum for a lunchtime Play Cycles session, with drop-in activities focusing on health and wellbeing. Play Cycles is a summer pop-up programme supported by the City of London Corporation and with public funding by Arts Council England.

Phone Marking Station: 12:00-15:00
Get your phone marked with a temporary marker that makes it easier to trace if lost or stolen, and more difficult for criminals to sell illegally.

Tonic-Making Workshop with Hackney Herbal: 12:30-13:30
Hands-on sessions that reconnect people with nature through smell, touch and herbal creativity.

Book here

Urban Gardening Workshop with Hackney Herbal 14:00-15:00
Join this gardening workshop focusing on growing herbs in pots and containers. Hear top tips for growing herbs in small and urban spaces, and you will get to sow a set of different seeds in pots to take home.

Book here

LGBTQ+ heritage walking tour: 15:30-17:00
Discover the hidden stories of the City through an LGBTQ+ heritage walking tour.

Book here

Pride Street Party: 17:00-20:00
An inclusive and joyful celebration to close out the day, celebrating community and culture in the heart of the City.

Yoga with Moroso: 08:00-09:00
Join us for a refreshing morning yoga session, open to all levels.  

A mindful flow that will wake up your body, help you move with ease, and focus on your breath — a great way to start the day! Please wear comfortable clothing that you can move and stretch in and bring a yoga mat/towel.

Guildhall Art Gallery Drop-In Viewing: 11:00-12:00
Join us for a drop-in viewing led by the Guildhall Art Gallery to explore historic reproductions of artworks depicting Aldermanbury and the local area.

Built environment community lunch with NLA: 12:00-14:00
Bring your lunch, and meet others from across London’s Built Environment community to celebrate 20 years of NLA.

London Historic Buildings with Guildhall Library: 14:00-15:00
Can you identify historic London buildings from prints in Guildhall Library’s Collections to win a sugary prize?

Safe City, Shared Future: Rethinking streetscapes in the heart of London: 15:00-17:00
An interactive workshop with Stride Treglown exploring how we can design safer, more inclusive public spaces, focusing on streets like Aldermanbury and the surrounding area. Through collaborative discussion and creative thinking, participants will examine how heritage, innovation, and community engagement can come together to shape a safer urban future. 

If you came along to any of the events, or have had the pleasure of experiencing Aldermanbury during this trial period of pedestrianisation, we'd really appreciate hearing your feedback on the event! You can win some great prizes, so head to the link below to share your thoughts.

Tickets are free and available to anyone and can be booked here. You will not need to show them on the day, but it enables us to contact you if there are any changes to the programme. You do not need to book onto specific events to attend (except those outlined above); please feel free to visit as many sessions and tours as you please.