London Crusades and Freemasons Historical Tour

During its 2,000 year history London has been shaped by all manner of religious and military groups associated with the Holy Land and we will visit both some of the most famous.
The first place we will visit is the old gatehouse of the Knights of St John and learn about their role in the Crusades.

A short walk away takes us to Charterhouse, an island of antiquity that started off as a Priory, became a school and then a hospital. We may also visit the remains of victim of the Black Death from their plague pit.

At Smithfields we will see William Wallace of Braveheart died & learn the story behind St. Barts.

Then to Temple Church, set in a beautiful, quiet courtyard just off Fleet Street made famous by the DaVinci Code films with Tom Hanks.

Passing through beautiful Middle Temple, often used for filming to Lincolns Inn Fields (the largest square in London) to finish at the Freemasons Hall. Here we will get to learn a little about this often little-known but historic group.

Meeting Point

Farringdon

Farringdon Station, Cowcross St, London EC1M 6BY, UK

Just outside Farringdon Underground Station

What's included:

• Hotel pick-up

Not included:

• Tube tickets before and after the tour

What to expect:

Duration: 3 hours

Clerk's Well

Well Court 14-16 Farringdon Lane, London, EC1R 3AU

See this hidden well that even most Londoners don't know about and learn about how this old knights well gave its name to an entire district of London.

5 minutes

Marx Memorial Library

37A Clerkenwell Green, , London, EC1R 0DU

The communist heritage of Clerkenwell continues with this working institute.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

St John Priory Church

St John's Sq, London EC1V 4JJ, UK

We will see the beautiful old church garden, planted with traditional medicinal plants along with a surprising ancient military weapon.

10 minutes

St John's Gate

St John_s Lane, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4PN

An impressive old gatehouse / tower that was once the entryway to the compound of the Knights of St John.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

The Museum of the Order of St John

St John_s Gate, St John_s Lane, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4DA

We will see the gatehouse belonging to the Knights of St John Crusaders and have a quick look inside at their collection of weapons and armour. *Please note this museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesday*

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

The Charterhouse

Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6AN

Charterhouse Square, one of the largest plague pits before entering Charterhouse chapel and amongst other things seeing a recently discovered skeleton of a victim of the Black Death (Plague). *Please note this museum is closed on Mondays*

15 minutes

Church of St. Bartholomew the Great

West Smithfield, Barbican, London, EC1A 9DS

One of the oldest churches in London and built by a Crusader.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

St Bartholomew's Gatehouse

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

One of the hidden treasures of the City of London and dating back almost 800 years old.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

WIlliam Wallace Memorial

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

We will see the spot where Braveheart died as well as learn of some of the other notable events that took place in this historic location.

10 minutes

Christchurch Greyfriars Church Garden

King Edward St, London EC1A 7BA, UK

The ruins of this old monastic building form a beautiful garden under the shadow of St Pauls Cathedral.

5 minutes

Christopher Wren's Temple Bar

Entrance TO Paul's Cathedral Next To St. 10 Paternoster Square, London, EC4M 7AL

The old gate of the City of London with a fascinating and sometimes gory past.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

St. Paul's Cathedral

St Paul's Churchyard, London, EC4M 8AD

A beautiful symbol of the City of London.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Blackfriars

Blackfriars, London EC4V 6BJ, UK

In a small yard, down a tiny alleyway we will see all that remains of an institution that gave this famous part of London its name.

5 minutes

Whitefriars Crypt

Magpie Alley, Temple, London EC4Y 8DP, UK

The remains of this monastic building are well off the beaten track for most Londoners, let alone tourists but this one is right on our path towards one of the most famous churches in the world.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Middle Temple Lane

Middle Temple Ln, Temple, London EC4Y, UK

Explore Middle Temple, a beautiful area often used in television and films such as Downton Abbey or Charles Dickens.

5 minutes

Temple Church

Temple, King's Bench Walk, London, EC4Y 7BB

Inspired by what the Templars saw in the Holy Land, they built this ancient church which for a time was incredibly popular due to the DaVinci Code films but is now once again a peaceful sanctuary.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Inner Temple

London, EC4Y 7HL

Learn about this beautiful and tranquil refuge in London

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Fleet Street

Fleet St, , London, EC4

We will walk along one of the most famous streets in London, once the home to the infamous British newspaper trade and visit a long lost ruin from a famous monastic order.

10 minutes

The Old Curiosity Shop

13-14 Portsmouth Street, , London, WC2A 2ES

We will pass by the oldest shop in London, immortalised in the writings of Charles Dickens.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

The Seven Stars

53 Carey Street, , London, WC2A 2JB

This tiny old pub was once an early meeting place of the Freemasons

5 minutes

Lincoln's Inn

Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3TL

We will pass through the largest square in London, though one rarely visited by tourists. Learn the story of the Great Fire of London here.

10 minutes

Freemasons' Hall

60 Great Queen Street, Wild St., London, WC2B 5AZ

Freemasons' Hall in London is the headquarters of the United Grand Lodge of England and the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England, as well as being a meeting place for many Masonic Lodges in the London area. * Please note the Freemasons Museum is closed on Wednesdays*

15 minutes