London Guided Walks » Medieval London Walk

Medieval London Walk

A thriving Medieval city of commerce and culture – who could ask for more?!

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Welcome to our Medieval London walk, a journey through time to explore the rich history of one of the most vibrant and fascinating cities in medieval Europe. On this guided tour, we will delve deep into the daily lives of Londoners during this period, uncovering the secrets of how they made their livings, how religion permeated their lives, and how they had to put up with some pretty strong smells.

London during the medieval period was a city unlike any other. It was a place of great contrasts, where the wealthy and powerful rubbed shoulders with the poor and downtrodden. It was a city of opportunity, where hard work and determination could lead to great riches and success. But it was also a place of danger, with disease, crime, and violence never far away.

As we walk the streets of medieval London, we will discover the fascinating stories of the people who lived and worked here. We will explore the markets and guilds that were the lifeblood of the city’s economy, and learn about the trades and professions that thrived in this bustling metropolis. We will also examine the role of religion in medieval London, and how it permeated every aspect of daily life, from the magnificent cathedrals and churches to the humble chapels and shrines.

But perhaps most of all, we will experience the sights, sounds, and smells of medieval London. We will explore the narrow streets and alleyways that were home to some of the city’s most notorious characters, and discover the secrets of the city’s many taverns and alehouses. We will also encounter some of the less pleasant aspects of medieval life, such as the overwhelming stench of the city’s open sewers and the constant threat of disease and illness.

London during the medieval period was a place of contradictions and complexity, and on this walking tour, we will bring its many facets to life. Join us on a journey through time, and experience the excitement, richness, and danger of one of the most remarkable cities in history.

Start: Cannon Street Station
End: St Paul’s Cathedral

City of London Tour guide: Ian McDiarmid

Medieval London Walk Reviews

William

“Interesting walk around the city explaining the key components on Medieval London: trade, government and religion and the evidence for these. It was a cold and grey day, but Ian’s knowledge shone through.”

John

“Very informative and very entertaining walk. Conducted with professional ease. Very enjoyable and recommended.”

Katy

“Ian was very knowledgeable and interesting about medieval London and could answer rather esoteric questions. I can highly recommend him.”

Annette Frances

“Very good friendly authoritative guide. He knew his history and very enjoyable despite cold weather.”

Miriam

“A 90-minute walk with lots of information and conclusions on medieval London, its social and religious customs (and its toilets). It was a large group despite the low temperatures and some of the stops were quite noisy, but Ian used a mike and so you could hear everything throughout. Ian also pointed us towards an amazing source of podcasts on historical London.”

Penny

“A great walk with Ian, if not somewhat freezing cold! He has good knowledge of of info such as we know it about the medieval period in the City of London, particularly toilets and sewage systems. He is a clear and fluent communicator, would highly recommend.”

Marta Clave

“Ian was very knowledgeable and provided great insights to London in the Middle Ages! The tour was fun, and learnt about new places not very touristy in the city centre.”