London's Historic Areas And Hidden Secrets - A Very Small Group Tour

Starting at Temple Station let's get away from the main tourist routes and go in search of the hidden alleys, ancient taverns, church crypts, Roman pavements and places you would have a lot of difficulty finding on your own. Crossing over into the old City of London where the street layouts go back as far a Roman times, you will first be taken into the Inns of Court, a hidden world used by the legal profession, and a haven not usually visited by most tourists. Let me show you the place where Shakespeare first performed Twelfth Night, the Fountain that inspired Charles Dickens, and the English Headquarters of the Knights Templar. Do you like Tea? let me take you to a shop where they have sold Tea for over 300 years.

The tour continues avoiding the main road and slipping through ancient passageways like Hanging Sword Alley until we arrive at St Bride's Church. Often called 'The Cathedral of The Press' due to its long association with the Fleet Street Newspapers. Damaged in The Great Fire of London and remodeled by Sir Christopher Wren, it suffered another blow in WW2 when a bomb destroyed the roof. However, this gave Archaeologists the chance to look deep into the crypts. What they found was amazing. Let me show you a hidden medieval chapel, charred remains from the Great fire of 1666, and Roman Pavements in this little known Crypt Museum. The Church has another claim to fame, I will tell you all about it on the tour.

This can definitely make a claim to being London's oldest Pub if you take in to account it's cellars that date back to the 13th Century. The upper rooms have barely changed since they were rebuilt in 1667. Once your eyes have adjusted to the wooden paneled candle lit interior, perhaps we can take a seat near the same fire place that Charles Dickens warmed his feet, and learn all about Polly the Parrot, the Hellfire Club and the rather naughty tiles found in the 1960's.

Brace yourself, this part of the tour gets a little grisly. Smithfield Market is London's oldest market still used for its original purpose, -selling meat. The surrounding area is where the Great fire of London finally extinguished, where Bloody Mary burn't people at the stake, and where William Wallace, AKA Braveheart was executed. Also near here Fagin's Gang had their Den and Sherlock Holmes first met Doctor Watson at the nearby St Barts hospital. I will also show you two surviving buildings that escaped The Great Fire of 1666.

Located next to the Old General Post Office, this park became known as Postman's park because postal workers enjoyed their lunch here. Originally it is the burial ground for St Botolphs Church. I'm bringing you here to show you a very interesting memorial to the unsung heroes of London. Lets find a park bench and I will tell you the history of this extraordinary place.

Guildhall is pretty much all of London's history on one spot. The Roman's had an Amphitheater on this site, the Saxons built a hall where people paid their taxes, and during the medieval period it was first recorded as a Guildhall. The present building was built around 1411, but the crypts are thought to date back to the 13th century. This is essentially the Town Hall of the City of London. The day-to-day administration of the City of London Corporation is now conducted from modern buildings immediately to the north. Lets admire one of London's oldest buildings and talk about some of the famous people who were put on trial here.

This is the "Square Mile" ancient heart of London and home to the financial district. The Bank of England, the Royal Exchange, and the spooky Cornhill Devils are highlights on this point of the tour. The Royal Exchange is where the Ghost of Christmas yet to come to Ebeneezer Scrooge to see his colleagues discuss his funeral. But why is the Bank of England known as the Old Lady of Threadneedle Street? I will tell you!

Charles Dickens favourite Chop House, and mentioned over 20 times in the Pickwick Papers. The interior is almost unchanged from Dickens time. He would even still be able to order his favouite food from the menu. The alleyways and courts in this area are some of the most atmospheric in London

One of London's oldest and prettiest markets on the site of a Roman cross road. It's no wonder that Leadenhall Market has featured in some of the worlds most famous movies and novels. Most recently as a filming location for the Harry Potter Films, and the market where Ebeneezer Scrooge sends the boy to get the biggest Turkey on Christmas morning.

One of the most devastating events in London's history took place just near Monument Underground Station. This is where the great Fire of London started in 1666 destroying 80% of the old city of London. Fortunately your guide knows some of the areas that survived. Your tour ends here, and if you still have energy why not climb the 311 steps to the top of the Monument and see the stunning views over London.