London's Historic Areas And Hidden Secrets - A Very Small Group Tour

Hier is het startpunt

The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple

St Bride's Church

• The tour continues avoiding the main road and slipping through ancient passageways like Hanging Sword Alley until we arrive at St Bride's Church. Often called 'The Cathedral of The Press' due to its long association with the Fleet Street Newspapers.
• Damaged in The Great Fire of London and remodeled by Sir Christopher Wren, it suffered another blow in WW2 when a bomb destroyed the roof. However, this gave Archaeologists the chance to look deep into the crypts. What they found was amazing.
• Let me show you a hidden medieval chapel, charred remains from the Great fire of 1666, and Roman Pavements in this little known Crypt Museum.
• The Church has another claim to fame, I will tell you all about it on the tour.

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese

Smithfield Market

• Brace yourself, this part of the tour gets a little grisly. Smithfield Market is London's oldest market still used for its original purpose, -selling meat.
• The surrounding area is where the Great fire of London finally extinguished, where Bloody Mary burn't people at the stake, and where William Wallace, AKA Braveheart was executed.
• Also near here Fagin's Gang had their Den and Sherlock Holmes first met Doctor Watson at the nearby St Barts hospital.
• I will also show you two surviving buildings that escaped The Great Fire of 1666.

Postman's Park

• Located next to the Old General Post Office, this park became known as Postman's park because postal workers enjoyed their lunch here. Originally it is the burial ground for St Botolphs Church.
• I'm bringing you here to show you a very interesting memorial to the unsung heroes of London. Lets find a park bench and I will tell you the history of this extraordinary place.

Guildhall

Bank of England

George and Vulture

Leadenhall Market

One of London's oldest and prettiest markets on the site of a Roman cross road. It's no wonder that Leadenhall Market has featured in some of the worlds most famous movies and novels. Most recently as a filming location for the Harry Potter Films, and the market where Ebeneezer Scrooge sends the boy to get the biggest Turkey on Christmas morning.

The Monument to the Great Fire of London

• One of the most devastating events in London's history took place just near Monument Underground Station. This is where the great Fire of London started in 1666 destroying 80% of the old city of London. Fortunately your guide knows some of the areas that survived.
• Your tour ends here, and if you still have energy why not climb the 311 steps to the top of the Monument and see the stunning views over London.