All that glisters is not gold: A walking tour of Hatton Garden
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About the Tour
About the Tour
London's jewelry quarter hides centuries of stories beneath its glittering surface. On this walking tour, you'll explore Hatton Garden's evolution from medieval palace grounds to diamond district. Beyond the shop windows lie tales of bishops and courtiers, artisans and thieves, where religious power, royal favor, and remarkable craftsmen have shaped this distinctive neighborhood for over 700 years.
The tour starts outside Farringdon Station on Cowcross Street. You'll walk through the heart of the jewelry quarter, where diamonds and precious metals have been traded since the 1600s. Along the way, you'll discover how the area developed from vineyard-covered hills to urban workshops, and see how bomb damage during World War II reshaped entire streets while the medieval street pattern remained intact.
You'll explore places like St Etheldreda's Church, one of London's oldest buildings with its original medieval timber roof, and wander into Bleeding Heart Yard with its macabre legend involving the Devil. The tour ends at the ornate former premises of Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co, renowned engravers and printers of banknotes and stamps, where a building fire once filled the air with the unexpected smell of frying bacon.
On this 70-minute tour, you'll have a chance to:
- Visit the remnants of the 13th-century palace of the Bishops of Ely, once a walled 60-acre estate with magnificent gardens
- Discover the site where Sir Christopher Hatton, Queen Elizabeth I's dancing Chancellor, lived after securing the estate with an annual payment of ten cartloads of hay and a single red rose
- Stop at the historic Ye Olde Mitre pub, built in 1733 and housing what's said to be Elizabeth I's favorite cherry tree
- Stand at the site of the 2015 Hatton Garden Safe Deposit heist where elderly thieves stole valuables worth £14 million
- Learn about London's first self-powered passenger vehicle, built at William Felton's carriage works in 1803
- Explore what was once
Little Italy,
home to generations of Italian craftsmen who shaped the area's character - See where the infamous Maxim machine gun was invented in 1881
- Discover how 20th-century wartime bombing transformed the neighborhood's architecture
Whether you're interested in jewelry, history, literature, or architecture, Hatton Garden offers a fascinating glimpse into a London neighborhood where diamonds and stories both shine with equal brilliance.
Tour Producer
Tour Producer
Steve Matthews
I’ve been guiding in London since 2010, and in that time I’ve led thousands of people through the backstreets, river paths, and half‑forgotten corners that rarely make it into the guidebooks. My work is rooted in years of on‑the‑ground experience, a lot of digging through old maps and archives, and a genuine fascination with how London’s past still shapes the city we walk through today.
What began as a hobby has grown into a long‑standing practice of researching local history — from lost streets and vanished industries to the characters who left their mark on the place. I keep my tours updated with new findings, fresh angles, and the odd surprising detail that brings a street or story to life.
I specialise in the parts of London people often overlook, helping visitors and locals alike see the echoes and footprints hidden in plain sight. My aim is simple: to share the stories I’ve gathered over the years with accuracy, enthusiasm, and a real affection for this endlessly surprising city. Whether you’re joining me for the first time or returning for another walk, you can expect a well‑researched, engaging, and reliable tour shaped by more than a decade of experience.
Preview Location
Preview Location
Location 1
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This tour winds through Hatton Garden, London's legendary jewelry quarter, where diamonds, dodgy deals, and centuries ... Read More
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Major Landmarks
Major Landmarks
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St. Etheldreda's RC Church, Farringdon
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Ye Olde Mitre, Holborn
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Leather Lane Market
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Wren House
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Bleeding Heart Yard
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St. Peter's Italian Catholic Church
Getting There
Getting There
Route Overview
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Start locationSt John's Sq, London EC1M 4DH, UK
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Total distance2km
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Final location33-35 A201, London EC1M 3HE, UK
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Distance back to start location82.53m
Directions to Starting Point
The tour begins at Farringdon underground station which can be accessed by the Elizabeth, Circle, Hammersmith & City and the Metropolitan lines.There is also a connection to National rail services.
The location is in a pedestrian precinct, however bus stops can be found on nearby Farringdon Road only a minutes walk from the starting point.
Bus routes are 55,63, 243, 341 and the stop is Farringdon Station.
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Tips
Tips
Places to stop along the way
There are plenty of pubs, restaurants and fast food outlets around the starting point of Farringdon Station. There is a Wetherspoons, The Sir John Oldcastle, at the junction of Greville Street and Farringdon Road about a minutes walk from the starting point.
Leather Lane market is open Monday- Thursday and has many pop up food stalls. Why not drop in for a coffee at the iconic Terroni's on Clerkenwell Road
Best time of day
At any time. The tour can be walked in the evening as the areas visited are well populated with pubs and restaurants and there are usually a lot of people about. If you're intending on walking the route on a Sunday you will find the entrances to Ely Court gated and so you will not be able to see the Mitre Tavern. As the place is a real hidden gem I would advise not to miss it and try and walk the route on another day. If you can only do a Sunday I've put in a workaround for this part of the tour. the entrance to Ely Court from Ely Place is not wheelchair accessible, however the court and the Mitre Tavern can be accessed from the Hatton Garden entrance. As the location has a manual play feature attached use the directions given for the workaround and then continue with the tour as normal.
Precautions
The area has many shops, offices and business premises, so there are a lot people around during the day, night and at weekends, although possibly a little quieter on Sundays. The area is considered safe, but please take the usual precautions regarding valuable items such as bags, phones and cameras.
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