Another Brick in the Wall: A Walking Tour of London’s defences
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About the Tour
About the Tour
Trace London’s ancient city wall as it grew from an enclosure around the Roman settlement of Londinium, to the large medieval structure that ringed the bustling city.
On this walking tour, you’ll see parts of London Wall that still stand today. I’ll tell you about its origins, construction and, in some parts, its demise. I’ll show you the site of each of the seven gates that gave access to the city. You’ll also hear about some of the people that once lived in the shadow of the wall, and gain an insight into what life was like for these locals.
Along with tracing the route of the wall from Emperor Trajan’s statue to the Blackfriar, a popular pub, I’ll show you some of the city’s other sites, including several historical churches. I’ll point out St Olave’s Church, Guild Church of St Katharine Cree, St Ann & St Agnes Church, and the site of the medieval chapel of St Mary & St Nicholas. You’ll hear about Aldgate Pump and its fatal connection to polluted water in 1860, the teenage skeleton found under ‘the Gherkin’, and the place where Jack the Ripper murdered a woman.
On this tour, you’ll have the opportunity to:
- Find out why a seventeenth century diarist decided to bury a hunk of cheese in a hole in the ground
- See the church where victims of the Great Plague are buried
- Hear about the church that inspired Charles Dickens’ “St Ghastly Grim" in The Uncommercial Traveller
- Listen to tales of robbery, violence and deception
- Take in the oldest Synagogue in the UK
- Walk through an area synonymous with law, order and incarceration
Whether it’s your first time in London or you’re a curious local, you’ll gain a valuable introduction to the wall’s rich history. Give yourself two hours for this walk or go at your own pace to further explore the historical churches and pubs mentioned en route. There are plenty of cafes, restaurants and food outlets if you need a short or lengthy break at any point. I’ve also highlighted the halfway point, in case you want to draw out the tour over a day or two.
Music
Anamalie by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.
Renaissance by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.
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 13
French Ordinary Court
This is the entrance to the delightfully named “French Ordinary Court” the name could be construed as being a bit risqué but it actually refers to a small dining room or Inn that served food. It served several courses o... Read More
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Major Landmarks
Major Landmarks
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London Wall
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Emperor Trajan Statue
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Roman Wall
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Savage Gardens
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Seething Lane Garden
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St Olave's Church
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Aldgate Pump
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The St Botolph Building
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Aldgate Square
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The Guild Church of St Katharine Cree
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30 St Mary Axe (The Gherkin)
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Roman Fort Gate
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St Anne & St Agnes Church
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Postman's Park
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St Bartholomew's Hospital
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Newgate Prison
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Central Criminal Court
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The Blackfriar
Getting There
Getting There
Route Overview
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Start locationSceptre Court, 40 Tower Hill, London EC3N 4DX, UK
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Total distance5km
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Final location179 Queen Victoria St, London EC4V 4DY, UK
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Distance back to start location2km
Directions to Starting Point
The tour begins next to the statue of the Unknown Builder on Tower Hill, the road that runs alongside the Tower of London.
There are bus stops on either side of the road (Stops TA & TB) which are served by bus number 15. There is another stop (TE) a short walk from the starting point at Tower Gateway for bus numbers 42, 78, 100, 343.
The nearest DLR station is Tower Gateway and the nearest underground station is Tower Hill which is served by the Circle and the District lines.
Show Directions
Tips
Tips
Places to stop along the way
St Olave's church in Seething Lane is worth spending time looking around both inside and in the churchyard, as is the church of St Katharine Cree later in the tour. The tour passes very close to the Museum of London, but please note that the museum is now closed to facilitate the move to new premises sometime in 2024. There are many good pubs on the route but the Viaduct Tavern should be visited for it's decorous Victorian interior. There are many and varied fast food, takeaway and sandwich outlets along with restaurants both chains and independent. Should you be looking for an area to sit for a rest or to eat your lunch then a great place is Finsbury Circus Gardens off of London Wall just before you reach Moorgate. It's a lovely oasis of calm amongst the busy streets.
Best time of day
Any time of day and any day of the week. The areas covered will be a lot less busy on a Sunday, however you may not be able to access any of the churches due to services and it is likely that most if not all of the pubs will be closed.
Precautions
The tour takes in many wards of the city of London which are busy and well populated. There are several parts that are pedestrian access only, so pay attention when leaving these due to the high amount of car traffic. As with any tour take extra care with your own personal valuables, cameras, phones etc.
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