Cheapside: A Guide to the City of London’s Vibrant Medieval Marketplace

(15 reviews)

London audio tour: Cheapside: A Guide to the City of London’s Vibrant Medieval Marketplace

This is a 1mi walking tour

It takes an average of 75 mins to complete.

London

The United Kingdom

$11.99

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About the Tour

Stroll down one of medieval London’s most important streets, Westcheap which is now called Cheapside. It was once the city’s main market area and on this walking tour, you’ll be introduced to the colourful characters that populated it. While the modern street is no longer used as a market, there are clues dotted all along the route that I’ll help you decipher to help you uncover its rich history of pomp, ceremony, crime and violence. Along the way, I’ll point out where St Peter’s Westcheap church and Cheapside Cross used to stand and guide you down Ironmonger Lane, Bow Churchyard Lane and Old Jewry.

On this tour, you can look forward to hearing about:

The architecture of the street and its surrounding area
Great feats of medieval engineering
The area known as the Shambles and the Flesh Market that it served
Westcheap’s connections with various Kings and Queens of England
Tales of murder, assassination and religious conflict
The life of some of the locals and traders
Items for sale within the street, some common today and others a rarity
The church that is synonymous with the right to call yourself a true Cockney

Give yourself at least an hour for this walk or linger along the way to take in some of the historic sites that still exist today. There are plenty of cafes, restaurants and food outlets en route in case you need some refreshments.

Tour Producer

Steve Matthews

20 tours

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

Location 14

Exiting Bow lane

As you exit the churchyard turn left into Bow Lane and stop alongside the shoe shop on your right.

Bow Lane has been known as both Cordwainer Street and Hosier Lane, the earliest note of it is as Corveyserestrate in the 1200s. This area around the church and further south w... As you exit the churchyard turn left into Bow Lane and stop alongside the shoe shop on your right.

Bow Lane has been known as both Cordwainer Street and Hosier Lane, the earliest note of it is as Corveyserestrate in the 1200s. This area around the church and further south was the area most associated with Shoemaking and fine general leatherwork. A Hosier is a tradesperson who makes socks or stockings usually on a frame loom, so the two trades sat comfortably with each other.

Bow Lane should not be confused with Bow Street, built near Covent Garden in the 1600s and later famous for the Bow Street Runners who ran errands for the courts of justice located there.
The lane itself is probably Roman as it connects directly to Roman Watling Street at its far end. Archaeological excavations have shown that there were Roman buildings on the site of the lane and it's thought that there were a number of Roman wells here, some for drinking water and others for ceremonial use, as several were found with offerings to the Roman gods in the sediment.

As I mentioned just now the lane was home to many cordwainers. Life in the area was no less harsh and brutal than anywhere else and I found the following incident that occurred in 1326.

Somewhere near to where you're standing stood a cordwainers stall owned by John de Keslyngbury. Early one Friday morning at about 6.00 am, John's two apprentices were sweeping and scrubbing in front of the premises to get it ready for the day's trading. Looking down the lane they saw a fishmonger called Roger Styward making his way along the street in the direction of Cheapside. He was carrying a large wooden bucket filled with eels that he had previously skinned. They paid him little attention and continued with their tasks, but as the fishmonger drew level with them he tossed the eel skins onto the floor of the lane and continued on his way. The two apprentices, Simon and Richard chased after the Fishmonger and remonstrated with him demanding that he return and pick up the skins and "angry words were exchanged". When the Fishmonger refused to pick up the skins it appears that Richard gave him a firm slap around the cheek and a bit of a scuffle started but was soon over and Roger with his bucket of eels continued on his way. He was followed by the other apprentice Cordwainer, Simon, and as they drew level with St Mary le Bow, Simon attacked him with a blow to the head which floored Roger who then received several kicks to the head and body. With some difficulty, Roger regained his feet and retrieved his bucket of eels and staggered off turning right into Cheapside where he collapsed and died. On hearing the news both apprentices sought sanctuary in St Mary's and later Richard gave himself up and was transported to Newgate prison to await trial, Simon, however, refused to surrender. No record exists as to what happened to either apprentice.

Let's get going again. Continue to the end of the lane, cross Cheapside and turn right when you reach the opposite side. Read More

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Major Landmarks

Mansion House
Old Jewry
Poultry
Cheapside
St. Paul's Cathedral
Saint Mary Le Bow Church
Ironmonger Lane

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Getting There

Route Overview

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Start location
St Peters House, 130 Wood St, London EC2V 6DL, UK
Total distance

2km
Final location
1 Royal Exchange, London EC3V 3DG, UK
Distance back to start location

556.22m

Directions to Starting Point

The tour starts outside of St. Paul's Underground Station which is situated on the Central Line. To find the correct starting point follow the signs in the station concourse for EXIT 2. Climb the steps to exit at street level. On your right you should see a black telephone box and a large supermarket. Make sure you're not blocking the station exit before starting the tour.

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

You'll start the tour next to Christopher Wrens masterpiece, St. Paul's Cathedral which can be visited before or after the tour. Please visit Bow Church with its beautiful stained glass windows and checkerboard tiled floor. Cheapside itself contains mostly retail outlets but there are a few independent food and coffee stores. The best area to find a restaurant or pub is along the length of Bow Lane. Try Williamsons Tavern tucked away off the lane in Groveland Court, it was once the residence of the Lord Mayors before the Mansion House was built. The Temple of Mithras at 12 Walbrook is a great place to visit. It's free, but you must book a time slot online https://www.londonmithraeum.com/

Best time of day

You can walk this tour at any time. It's busy with office workers during the weekday morning commute and at lunchtimes and again at around 4:30 till 6:00 pm. There are many pubs and restaurants in the area, so it is populated until around 10:30 pm. Much quieter at weekends and especially on Sunday. Some shops, pubs and restaurants may not be open at weekends.

Precautions

The area is usually busy throughout the day, but take the usual precautions regarding valuable items such as bags and cameras. Cheapside is a car free zone, but busses and taxis use it, as do cyclists so watch out when crossing the roads.

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Questions and Reviews

4.8 / 5

15 Ratings

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