Guided Walks | Private Tours | Podcast

On this private tour, explore the events during a few days in September 1666 which left so much destruction, forcing Londoners to rebuild their lives.

Your private tour starts at Monument tube station. Admire the iconic Monument to the Great Fire of London which was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and his colleague Dr Hooke, as a memorial to the Great Fire. Hear about the start of the fire, how the area looked afterwards, the unique design of the Monument and how it has been used by a theatrical sailor and bakers.

Between Sunday September 2nd and Wednesday September 5th 1666, the medieval City of London was ravaged by a fire that proved so destructive that it is now known as The Great Fire of London. Although fires were common in the old city, there were a number of situations which made this particular one go down in the history books. It raged for five days and nights destroying 13,200 houses, 87 churches, three City gates and 52 livery halls. All in all, four-fifths of the City was in ruins. 

On this private tour you will follow its trail of destruction in the western quarter of the City, where it was finally brought under control having left utter devastation across the streets in its wake. By the time the fire was mere embers over three quarters of the city lay in ruins. Hear how the fire started and how it was able to take hold and create so much devastation so quickly. Hear about those who were blamed for the fire and those who fought to save the city.

Hear the breathtaking story of the Great Fire of London while exploring the medieval streets in which it was played out. Hear eyewitness accounts of the Londoners who lived through this historic London event.

Hear how prisoners in Newgate Prison tried to escape the fire and their bonds, how iconic buildings such as St Paul's Cathedral reached their demise and how Sir Christopher Wren's New London plan was scuppered by eager Londoners wanting to rebuild their lives. Hear stories of some Londoners affected by this life-altering event and how others took (some would say unfair) advantage of the situation.

Navigate the narrow streets of the City of London on this guided walk and hear how the great fire of London was the catalyst for modern building restrictions which changed the face of London forever.

Discover what it was like to experience your hometown burning, never knowing if you would ever go home.

Related blog posts:

St Magnus the Martyr Church

Bishopsgate Before the Fire

The King's Wardrobe