Old City of London Guided Walking Tour - Semi-Private
What your day looks like
During this 2.5 hour tour, you will learn about the Roman settlements fortified by the wall built in 220 AD – and still visible today. Relive scenes from The Da Vinci Code at the Temple Church, former headquarters to the Knights Templar. Move forward in time through to the Middle Ages when the iconic Tower of London rose over the City. Discuss the Great Fire of London in the shadow of the Monument, dedicated to its memory. Discover the magnificent domed St. Paul’s Cathedral, wedding hall to Charles and Princess Diana in 1981. Stroll the River Thames and plan your route out of the City while learning about the famous Tower Bridge and more recent Millennium Bridge. Explore the streets, squares, pubs, and secrets of London’s most historic district on this enlightening and entertaining excursion.
The experience, in brief
- The Great Fire of London
- Guild Hall; The Bank of England
- St Paul's Cathedral
- Fleet Street
- Temple
The journey, in full
Stops include but are not limited to: Temple Church (Weekdays) / Royal Courts of Justice (Weekends) One of London’s most fascinating medieval churches, Temple Church was built by the Knights Templar in the 12th century and played a key role in English history. On weekends, visit the Royal Courts of Justice (EXTERIOR ONLY, an architectural masterpiece where Britain’s most high-profile legal cases are heard. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Step into history at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, a rebuilt 17th-century pub that has welcomed literary greats like Charles Dickens and Samuel Johnson. St Bride’s Church Known as the "Journalists’ Church", St Bride’s is famed for its distinctive wedding-cake spire, said to have inspired traditional tiered wedding cakes. A site of worship for nearly 2,000 years, its crypt reveals layers of Roman and medieval history. St Paul’s Cathedral (EXTERIOR ONLY) One of London’s most iconic landmarks, St Paul’s Cathedral has stood as a symbol of resilience since its reconstruction after the Great Fire of 1666. St Mary-le-Bow Famous for its Bow Bells, this church is deeply woven into Cockney culture—legend has it that only those born within earshot of its bells can claim to be true Cockneys. Guildhall & Roman Londinium Once the political heart of medieval London, Guildhall has hosted Lord Mayors, monarchs, and historic trials for over 800 years. Beneath it lies a fascinating Roman amphitheater, offering a glimpse into Londinium, the Roman city that stood here nearly 2,000 years ago. "Heart of the City of London" (Bank of England, Royal Exchange & Mansion House) Stand in the financial center of the world’s oldest continuous trading hub. The Bank of England, founded in 1694, has shaped Britain’s economy for centuries. Across from it, the Royal Exchange, once London’s first shopping mall, now hosts luxury boutiques, while Mansion House remains the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London. Monument to the Great Fire of London Designed by Christopher Wren, this towering column marks the site where the Great Fire of 1666 began, destroying most of the city. Thames Riverbank Follow the historic banks of the River Thames, once a bustling highway for traders, royals, and invaders. The river has been central to London’s history, from Viking raids to Shakespearean theaters and modern-day development. London Bridge & Tower Bridge Set foot on the legendary London Bridge, which has existed in various forms for nearly 2,000 years, before reaching the spectacular Tower Bridge, an iconic Victorian masterpiece that still lifts for passing ships. Trinity Square Gardens A tranquil memorial garden, Trinity Square Gardens honors merchant navy sailors and the victims of public executions once held nearby. Here, you’ll also find a discreet plaque marking the site where Anne Boleyn and other notable prisoners were executed. London’s Roman Wall A surviving remnant of Londinium, this fragment of the Roman wall, built nearly 2,000 years ago, once enclosed the city, protecting it from invaders. Originally standing 6 meters high, the wall marked the boundaries of Roman London. Tower of London (EXTERIOR ONLY) Conclude your journey at the Tower of London, one of the world’s most famous fortresses. Built by William the Conqueror in 1066, it has served as a royal palace, prison, and execution site. Today, it houses the Crown Jewels, guarded by the iconic Yeoman Warders, also known as Beefeaters.
Your day, step by step
London
City/Town Tour.
What to know before booking
Included
Tour Guide, a brief restroom/ snack break
Meeting & Pickup
Meet by the exit of the Temple underground station. Meet your guide outside of the Temple underground exit. If you are coming by Car: 6 Temple Pl, London WC2R 2PG, UK (Temple Place corner with Arundel Street) (meeting point will be down the steps by the blue Temple station sign outside the exit of the underground).
Languages Offered
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Before Booking
Please provide a good contact phone number to reach the guests on the day of the tour. This is strictly used by the guide to communicate meeting point details and make the tour as seamless as possible. We require the ages of all passengers upon booking. Please provide this information.
Planning Notes
Hotel pickup offered: No Confirmation: Automatic
What travelers are saying
It was an amazing tour. Steph was a great guide and she was very engaging and knowledgeable. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone else traveling to London.
Colin did a fantastic job of explaining the history of the city of London. It was so much fun walking around all the old buildings mixed with modern. The insights he provided were fascinating! I would highly recommend!