Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past | La Vacanza Travel

Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past

Duration: 2 hours
Destination: United Kingdom, England, London
from
31.86

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  • 2 hours
  • London
  • E-Voucher
  • Lowest Price
  • Not-Cancellable

Overview

Travel through a thousand years of history, meeting kings and queens, body snatchers, Charles Dickens, an eighteenth century ghost, and William Wallace - aka Braveheart (and learn how he was in no fit state to shout "Freeeedoooommmm!" whilst being executed!)

On our walking tour we'll visit the areas around Smithfield, for centuries London's site of both animal and human slaughter. We'll learn about how the city disposed of the tens of thousands of Black Death corpses in the fourteenth century, the execution methods used in the Middle Ages, and how the area became a notorious slum which Dickens used as the setting for Oliver Twist.

The walking tour begins outside Barbican Station, ends near to Farringdon Station, and will take around two hours. Total distance is about two miles.

Ticket sales will be limited to fifteen attendees, to ensure maximum enjoyment for everybody on the tour.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: The Charterhouse, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6AN England

A fourteenth century monastery and plague pit

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Smithfield Market, 225 London Central Markets, London EC1A 9LH England

A one thousand year old meat market

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Cloth Fair, London England

A quiet alley with a noisy history

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Church of St. Bartholomew the Great, West Smithfield, London EC1A 9DS England

London's oldest surviving parish church

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: WIlliam Wallace Memorial, St. Bartholomew's Hospital W Smithfield, London EC1A 9DS England

The memorial to William Wallace, aka Braveheart

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Saint Bartholomew's Hospital Museum, Giltspur Street West Smithfield, London EC1A 7BE England

The oldest surviving hospital in the country

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Golden Boy of Pye Corner, 35 Cock Lane, London EC1A 9BW England

The site where the Great Fire of 1666 died out, and of eighteenth century ghost hysteria

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Holy Sepulchre London, St. Sepulchre Without Newgate Church Holborn Viaduct Across a Crossroads from the Old Bailey, London EC1A 2DQ England

A church with a bloody history

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Holborn Viaduct, Holborn street, London EC1A England

The site of the River Fleet, Victorian London's largest open air sewer

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Ye Olde Mitre, 1 Ely Court Ely Place, London EC1N 6SJ England

A hidden gem of a pub, hidden down an alleyway

Duration: 10 minutes

Inclusions
  • Tour
  • Entry/Admission - Church of St. Bartholomew the Great

Exclusions
  • Gratuities
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Departure Point

Underground Ltd, Aldersgate St, Barbican, London EC1A 4JA, UK


Departure Time

11:00 AM


Return Details

The One Tun, 125 Saffron Hill, London EC1N 8QS, UK

Voucher info

You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

Duration

2 hours


User's Reviews

T5957GKjennym

16 Mar, 2024

Started meeting our tour guide Tom outside of the tube station he was very friendly and easy to spot. We started the tour we had about 11 people in the tour so we were able to move and ask questions with ease. It was about two hours but the time flew by. We learned so much about London and beyond. Was definitely worth it.

336simonc336

26 Feb, 2024

What a fascinating tour. Tom took us to places we had never seen, and helped us to see completely new side to places we thought we knew. His commentary was really interesting and enlightening - he clearly knows his stuff and his enthusiasm for the darker side of London history was genuinely infectious. We'll definitely go for another tour soon.

Adventurer494294

24 Feb, 2024

Thoroughly enjoyed Tom's tour. He's an excellent, knowledgeable and entertaining guide who knows his subject very well. Would definitely highly recommend.

laragK523NT

10 Feb, 2024

That was second walking tour with Tom and it was marvellous! Not only a lot of interesting historical facts but each time we discovered some new amazing places in London that no one's talking about. I love that Tom’s knowledge inspires me to dig in little bit more into London’s history! I highly recommend his tours, for sure you will not be bored at all!

Q476RNryanr

10 Feb, 2024

Thumbs up! As entertaining and informative as the last time we went. Really interesting, enjoyable walks with Tom. Will be booking up again…

User's Picture Gallery

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Interesting history and walking tour you'd never be able to do in a quality manner on your own!

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Excellent walking tour

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Would give 6 stars if possible! Highly recommend - incredibly enjoyable experience

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So many dead bodies! 💀💀💀

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I absolutely loved this tour if you want a historical tour of the city of London you need to do this tour !

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Great guide, great tour!

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Great Tour. Very Interesting.

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Excellent way to see the hidden sights and learn some historic facts about London

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Great way to learn on the move!

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Excellent walk

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Not to be missed!

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Excellent

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Perfect learning stroll

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Great walking tour with Tom

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Very knowledgeable tour guide!

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