London Plague and Fire Historical Walking Tour

Step back in time and well away from the other tourists as we explore key sites and pivotal moments from two of the biggest disasters to hit London in its over 2,000 year history.
We will visit where the Great Plague started and learn how and why it took hold and spread leaving London possibly the worst hit city in the world.

We will visit plague pits including the biggest one and will even come face to face with an unfortunate victim of the Black Death who was only recently uncovered.

Visit the resting place of Samuel Pepys whose diary gives us such a unique account of life through the Great Plague and the Great Fire of London as we tread the same streets as he did.

We will also see where The Great Fire of London started and was extinguished as well as learning how it helped wipe out the Great Plague from London for good.

Along the way we will visit various other sites and locations from the Middle Ages and Medieval periods that didn't just change London but the world.

Meeting Point

Dominion Theatre

268-269 Tottenham Ct Rd, London W1T 7AQ, UK

We will meet just outside the iconic Dominion Theatre a few feet from the exit of Tottenham Court Road Underground Station.

What's included:

• Private Guided Walking Tour

Not included:

• Tube travel costs. Around £5

What to expect:

Duration: between 2 hours and 3 hours

St Giles-in-the-Fields Church

60 St. Giles High Street, , London, WC2H 8LG

It's hard to imagine 700 years ago where this church is was was once in a tiny village in the country. Things didn't stay cute forever with all manner of sad events here before becoming infamous for being where the first cases of the plague were detected in the spring of 1665.

15 minutes

Charterhouse Square

40 Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6EA

Visit the spot of the largest ever discovered plague pit containing tens of thousands of victims who died from the Black Death .

10 minutes

The Charterhouse

Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6AN

We will come face to face with an extraordinary skeleton of a young man who died from the Black Death around 1348.

15 minutes

WIlliam Wallace Memorial

St. Bartholomew's Hospital, W Smithfield, London, EC1A 9DS

See where William Wallace was executed not too many years before the Black Death.

5 minutes

Peasants' Revolt Plaque

Northern Wall of St Bart's Hospital, Smithfield, London

London was ravaged by things other than the Great Plague. Here we will see where the pivotal Peasants Revolt came to a head.

5 minutes

Smithfield Martyrs' Memorial

57A W Smithfield, London EC1A 9DS, UK

Stand on the spot where bishops were martyred in the 16th century.

5 minutes

St Bartholomew's Gatehouse

The Gatehouse 57A West Smithfield, London, EC1A 9DS

This fabulous old hospital has just celebrated its 901st anniversary. It obviously features heavily in the story of the Great Plague in London.

Pass by without stopping

Golden Boy of Pye Corner

35 Cock Lane, London, EC1A 9BW

This quaint memorial commemorates where the Great Fire of London was extinguished. Learn the story of its design and see some of the actual houses that lay witness to the Great Plague and Great Fire of London.... what a time to be alive!

5 minutes

Aldgate

Aldgate High St, London EC3N 1AH, UK

Underground stations don't often appear as an attraction on tours but this one has a grisly connection with the Great Plague. Try not to think about it too much as we get the tube here!

10 minutes

Aldgate Square

Aldgate Station Aldgate High Street, London, EC3N 1AH

Daniel Defore writes memorably about the plague pit that lies beneath. There is plenty of other plague related bits around here and if that's to enough, one of Jack The Rippers victims was killed a few yards away.

5 minutes

Aldgate Pump

65-68 Leadenhall St, London EC3A 2AD, UK

Almost an institution in London but obviously as it has a special place in this tour, it can't be for good reasons.

5 minutes

All Hallows Staining Church Tower

Star Alley, London EC3R 7LQ, UK

A beautiful medieval church steeple surrounded by 21st Century London. One might wonder what happened to the church..... Hmmm!

Pass by without stopping

St Olave's Church

8 Hart Street, London, EC3R 7NB

This beautiful old church is the resting place of the erstwhile Samuel Pepys and his wife. His diary is perhaps the best contemporary evidence of what life was like in London during the Great Plague and Great Fire of London.

15 minutes

Seething Lane Garden

Seething Ln, London EC3N 4AT, UK

This beautiful modern garden was recently redeveloped and was the place where Samuel Pepys lived and worked. The footpath in the garden has etchings of momentous events in the life of Samuel Pepys. How many will you know?

15 minutes

Tower Hill Memorial

The Tower of London Tower Hill, St Katharine's & Wapping, London, EC3N 4AB

Visit the infamous Tower Hill where so many well known figures from history met their grisly end.

5 minutes

Pudding Lane

Pudding Ln, London, UK

See the exact spot where the legendary Great Fire of London started and perhaps its one redeeming feature.

5 minutes

The Monument to the Great Fire of London

Fish St. Hill, , London, EC3R 8AH

We finish at The Monument to the Great Fire of London.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included