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Turmoil, Templars & Oliver Twist London's Squalor and Splendour

London, United Kingdom 2h 5.0 · 41 reviews EN 181808P6
Instant confirmation Free cancellation (24h) Mobile ticket Adults 13–99
Photos 9
Turmoil, Templars & Oliver Twist London's Squalor and Splendour - photo 1 181808P6
Turmoil, Templars & Oliver Twist London's Squalor and Splendour - photo 2 181808P6
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Turmoil, Templars & Oliver Twist London's Squalor and Splendour - photo 9 181808P6
Tour route
7 stops ~2 km
Loading map…
Route drawn automatically from the supplier's itinerary; lines are straight-line estimates, the actual road may differ.

Overview

Travel through two thousand years of history, meeting Saxons, the Knights Templar, Charles Dickens, Freemasons, and the Bow Street Runners!

On our guided walking tour we'll travel across Holborn, with its highs and lows over the past two-thousand years. We'll learn about the turmoil of the Saxon period, visit the locations of Fagin's den and execution in Oliver Twist, see the splendour of Freemasons' Hall and the Knights Templar headquarters, hear about a couple of London's most notorious prisons, and discover the world's largest collection of retail silver!

The guided walking tour begins outside Covent Garden Station, ends near to Blackfriars Station, and will take around two hours.

Ticket sales will be limited to fifteen attendees, to ensure maximum enjoyment for everybody on the tour.

Tour at a glance

Duration
2h
01
Tour type
Group tour
up to 15 travellers per booking
02
Languages
EN
live guide
03
Pickup
Meet at start point
04
Operates
Fri, Sat, Sun
Starts 11:00, 14:00
05
Confirmation
Instant
e-ticket by e-mail
06
Cancellation
Free up to 24h before
07
Traveller ages
Adults 13–99
08
Rating
5.0 / 5
41 verified reviews
09
Ticket
Mobile ticket
show it on your phone
10

What's included

  • Guided walking tour

Not included

  • Gratuities

Itinerary

  1. 1
    Bow Street Museum of Crime and Justice

    The history of the Bow Street Runners

    5 min Admission free
  2. 2
    Freemasons' Hall

    The history of Freemasons' Hall

    5 min Admission free
  3. 3
    Royal Courts of Justice

    The history of the Royal Courts of Justice

    5 min Admission free
  4. 4
    Temple Church

    The history of the Knights Templar and Temple Church

    5 min Admission free
  5. 5
    The London Silver Vaults

    The world's largest collection of retail silver

    5 min Admission free
  6. 6
    Staple Inn

    The last remaining of the Inns of Chancery buildings

    5 min Admission free
  7. 7
    Old Bailey

    The site of the Central Criminal Court - aka the Old Bailey - where Newgate Prison once stood

    5 min Admission free

Meeting & pickup

Everyone meets at the start point.

I will be outside the exit of Covent Garden Station, holding an Historic London Tours sign.

Schedule

Fri, Sat, Sun 11:00, 14:00 Available until 17 Sep 2027

Good to know

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Not recommended if you're unable to walk two miles at a reasonable pace

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveller reviews

5.041 reviews
5
41
4
0
3
0
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sarahdZ6160JJ Sep 2026 · Tripadvisor
Memorable and insightful.

An amazing experience- Tom is so knowledgeable it astounds! His breadth of historical memory and, as importantly, how he breathes such excitement and humour into every insight is captivating! Definitely recommended! Fantastic! Sarah

sallyc123475 Aug 2026 · Tripadvisor
Excellent London walking tour

Really clear - used a microphone to ensure we could all hear. Well paced. Thoughtful use of quieter areas in the shade rather than standing in the sun. Brilliant knowledge- I learnt loads and will book a tour in the future . Thank you

darrylmT1771MV Jul 2026 · Tripadvisor
Great Fun and Informative Tour

We booked the tour with Tom who was helpful and gave clear communications at all times. The tour itself was excellent and we all had a great time throughout.

768rona Jul 2026 · Tripadvisor
Brilliant two hours with Tom

Hugely enjoyed this walking tour. Tom was knowledgable and entertaining and it was an excellent afternoon.

Zerocool2301 Jul 2026 · Tripadvisor
Great walking tour

Amazing walking tour - Tom is extremely knowledgable and full of useful stories and explanations of things you have walked past everyday without realising that they were there. Really enjoyed it and would recommend to anyone interested in London history.

90saskiae Jul 2026 · Tripadvisor
An insightful tour!

A really interested and well planned tour. We learned a lot, and Tom was very insightful.

juliaevison Jun 2026 · Tripadvisor
Another first class tour

This is the fourth time we have been on one of Tom’s tours and we have never been disappointed. All are interesting, informative and invariably delivered in a witty style. Would heartily recommend him and his tours to everyone. (We are not related)

T2006KMcharlieh Mar 2026 · Tripadvisor
Excellent, very informative and enjoyable

Excellent tour. Tom was very knowledgeable and interesting, the tour was a fascinating mix of London places with history and links right across the ages, and it was particularly lovely to see so many places which featured in, or had links to, Dickens. Helped by nice weather too ! Will be looking at the other tours to take next time.

Reviews are collected by Viator and Tripadvisor from verified travellers.

Frequently asked questions

How long does this experience last?

It lasts 2h.

Is hotel pickup included?

Everyone meets at the start point.

Can I cancel for free?

Yes. Cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

Which languages is the guide available in?

Guide languages: EN

On which days does it run?

It runs Fri, Sat, Sun. Starts 11:00, 14:00

How fast is the booking confirmed?

Instantly. Your e-ticket arrives by e-mail right after booking.

Is this a private tour?

No, this is a shared group experience.

Where do I complete the booking?

On viator.com, a Tripadvisor company, with live availability and secure payment. TourViaGo is a Global Partner of Viator.

Product code 181808P6

Book on viator.com · Global Partner of Viator $27per person
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