In recent years we have been able to reduce slightly the area affected by the Lord Mayor’s Show, but it still closes a large part of the City of London for most of the day.

Roads

Most roads in the City of London will be completely closed on the day of the Lord Mayor’s Show from about 7am (6am in the Bank area), and will admit no traffic whatsoever. The closed area extends from Kingsway in the East to Bishopsgate in the west, and from the river up to Holborn and Chapterhouse Street. All those perimeter roads are open; everything between them is closed.

The closed area is slightly smaller than it has been in the past but for through traffic the effect is much the same: rather than going through the City you will be sent round via Old Street or across the river. 

Most roads will reopen between 4 and 5pm.

There may also be traffic restrictions on roads in the region extending north to Old Street and Clerkenwell Road, and you can expect heavier than usual traffic in the surrounding area as cars are rerouted.

For a better view of the summary picture, please download this PDF version. There is also a detailed map provided by the City. If any details changes in the build-up to the Show, they will be published on the City website and we will repeat them here.

Bridges

London Bridge is open as normal. Southwark Bridge is open, but on the north side you can only get to Upper Thames St and Bishopsgate. Blackfriars bridge goes nowhere so it is closed all day.

Tube and train lines

We are not aware of any engineering works this year. Central, District, Circle and Northern lines are all good for bringing you to the processional area, City Thameslink is ideally placed and the Elizabeth Line station at Farringdon is only a short walk away.

Buses

Buses will be diverted around the City, or turn back at the edge of the closed area. Please see our buses page for a summary. The TfL journey planner is aware of the Show and can prepare a route for you.

Parking

All visitors’ parking bays in the City of London, and a very few residents bays, are suspended from Friday afternoon.

Special cases

Sorry. There are no special cases. The secure area is heavily policed and there is a lot of heavy equipment moving around. After 7am there is no way in or out, even if you were able to get past the marching bands, giant inflatable pigs, Kazakh warrior hordes and mobile artillery units that are forming up between you and the perimeter.