Bank of England to offer rare public summer tours of Threadneedle Street headquarters

The Threadneedle Street site which has played host to the Bank of England since 1734 will offer a series of rare behind-the-scenes tours to visitors, including a jaunt through the Monetary Policy Committee Room where seismic economic decisions are ratified.

The Garden Court at the heart of the Bank, where a series of Mulberry trees reflecting the origins of paper money can be seen, are up for public perusal during 30-minute tours across the first two weekends of July as part of London’s Open Door festival.

Wanderers can imagine John Soane’s masterminding of the embellishments to the building, including a windowless wall enclosure in 1828. Soane described his 45-year spell as the bank’s architect as “the pride and boast of my life”, although the site was demolished and rebuilt by Sir Herbert Baker in 1925, incorporating some of Soane’s revered earlier work.

The Bank of England houses the Bank of England Museum, which holds treasures including Roman gold bars, ancient money, pikes and muskets once used to defend the bank and collections of silver, paintings, coins and photos.

It will also open in September for the annual Open House London Weekend.

• Takes place July 2 and 9, 9.30am-5pm. Admission free, booking not required.