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

5 (192)
London, GB
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Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past

5 (192)
London, GB
Share
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Step back in time and uncover the dark and bloody past of London on the Burnings, Butchery & Black Death walking tour. Wander through a thousand years of history as you meet kings and queens, body snatchers, and even William Wallace himself. Explore the areas around Smithfield, where both animals and humans were slaughtered, and discover how the city dealt with the Black Death in the 14th century. Immerse yourself in the Middle Ages as you learn about the grisly execution methods and explore the notorious slums that inspired Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist. This two-hour tour takes you on a fascinating journey from Barbican Station to Farringdon Station, and covers a distance of approximately two miles. With limited ticket sales to ensure an intimate experience, this tour promises a captivating and spine-chilling adventure through London's bloody past.

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • Admission Included
  • 2 hours
  • Suitable for 1-15 Participants
  • Private Tour, Small Group Tour
  • Self Guided Experience
  • Travel through a thousand years of history
  • Meet kings and queens, body snatchers, Charles Dickens
  • See London's oldest surviving parish church
  • Visit the site of the Great Fire of 1666
  • Discover Victorian London's largest open air sewer
  • Tour
  • Gratuities

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More about this experience

Introduction

Step into the dark and intriguing streets of London's past with the Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past. This captivating tour will take you on a journey through a thousand years of history, uncovering the gruesome tales of burnings, butchery, and the haunting presence of the Black Death. Led by experienced guides, you will explore the areas around Smithfield, immersing yourself in the chilling stories that have shaped the city's infamous reputation. From the disposal of Black Death corpses to the execution methods of the Middle Ages, this tour will provide a fascinating insight into London's dark past.

What to expect?

Prepare to be captivated as you delve deep into London's bloody past. Throughout the tour, you can anticipate hearing spine-chilling tales of kings and queens, body snatchers, and even encounter the ghost of an eighteenth-century figure. You will walk in the footsteps of Charles Dickens, as he used the notorious slums in this area as the backdrop for Oliver Twist. Discover the secrets and mysteries hidden within the streets of London, as you learn about the city's history of burnings, butchery, and the devastating impact of the Black Death.

Who is this for?

This tour is perfect for history enthusiasts, thrill-seekers, and anyone with a curious mind. Whether you are a local Londoner looking to uncover the hidden stories of your city or a traveler seeking a unique and immersive experience, this tour is designed for you. The tour is suitable for individuals of all ages, as long as they have an interest in history and a taste for the macabre. Step out of the ordinary and embrace the dark side of London's past with this unforgettable walking tour.

Why book this?

Embark on this one-of-a-kind walking tour to unlock the secrets and mysteries of London's bloody past. Immerse yourself in the tales of burnings, butchery, and the haunting presence of the Black Death, as you explore the atmospheric streets of Smithfield. Led by knowledgeable guides, this tour offers a unique opportunity to witness the history of London come alive before your eyes. From the execution methods used in the Middle Ages to the slums that inspired Charles Dickens, every step of this tour will leave you in awe. By booking this tour, you will gain a deeper understanding of London's history and its impact on the present.

Good to know

This walking tour begins outside Barbican Station and concludes near Farringdon Station, covering a distance of approximately two miles. The tour will last around two hours, during which you will be transported back in time through vivid storytelling and historical reenactments. To ensure an intimate and enjoyable experience, ticket sales are limited to fifteen attendees. So, make sure to book your spot in advance to secure your place on this captivating journey through London's bloody past.

Reviews

Previous participants of the Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past have praised the tour for its gripping storytelling and immersive experience. Many have commended the knowledgeable guides who bring history to life, making it feel as though participants have traveled back in time. Visitors have also expressed their appreciation for the limited group size, allowing for a more intimate and personalized experience. Overall, reviews highlight the tour's ability to provide a unique perspective on London's history, leaving participants with a newfound fascination for the city's dark past. Don't miss out on the opportunity to embark on this unforgettable journey through London's captivating and chilling history.

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Your Itinerary

The Charterhouse

A fourteenth century monastery and plague pit

Smithfield Market

A one thousand year old meat market

Cloth Fair

A quiet alley with a noisy history

Church of St. Bartholomew the Great

London's oldest surviving parish church

Admission Included

WIlliam Wallace Memorial

The memorial to William Wallace, aka Braveheart

Saint Bartholomew's Hospital Museum

The oldest surviving hospital in the country

Golden Boy of Pye Corner

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

Holy Sepulchre London

A church with a bloody history

Holborn Viaduct

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

Ye Olde Mitre

A hidden gem of a pub, hidden down an alleyway

Reviews

(192)

5 (192)

T5957GKjennym

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

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

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

laragK523NT

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

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

jackiem743

I loved this walking tour. Our guide Tom was engaging, enthusiastic and very knowledgable. There was so much history and interest packed into a small area of London.

thomasvQ9994DP

Very interesting tour, a good balance between different important time periods in London history, historical accuracy and good story telling,...Very friendly guide, very open to questions and interactions. Will definitely be joining again next time in London.

James_L

Besides the experience of cause Tom the Guide was exceptional very clear speaking and fun we can’t fault great

415ejb

Did the "Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: London's Bloody Past" tour with Tom last week. It was an amazing tour. Tom does a great job of sharing the history in an interesting way, and it is amazing to learn more about the underlying history of London, which has such an interesting past that is lost for so many people today (but Tom helps bring it back). I plan to bring my family on one of Tom's tours this summer.

carenm197

One of the most interesting and entertaining guided walking tours I’ve done so far. We were a small group of about 10 people and Tom was the most knowledgeable and engaged guide. Would do the same tour again :)
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-04-25 04:55