Crossing Boundaries: A Stroll from Lincoln's Inn to Charterhouse Square
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About the Tour
About the Tour
Trace London’s boundaries as it grew from a settlement through the Tudor and Elizabethan period into the modern city it is today.
On this walking tour, you'll find yourself strolling through Lincoln Inn Fields where cattle once grazed which is now the city’s main legal district, and across several of the city’s former boundaries into Farringdon. You'll follow one of the ancient routes for goods into the city and hear tales of rogues and criminals that lay in wait for unsuspecting traveller. Along the way, I’ll point out lesser-known sites like the 300-year-old Wildy & Sons bookshop and the Castle, the only pub in London that could legally act as a pawnbroker until the 1930s.
On this tour, you’ll have the opportunity:
- Hear how the physical boundaries of London grew
- Find out where Elizabeth I played as a girl while standing outside Ye Old Mitre
- See the church where Henry VIII took holy communion
- Walk through the world famous jewelry district of Hatton Gardens
- Listen to tales of robbery, violence, medical ineptitude and a pact with the Devil
- Take in the spot that was once the site of an execution and the rowdiest market in all of Europe
Whether it’s your first time in London or you’re a curious local, you’ll gain a valuable introduction to the city’s rich history. Allow approximately an hour and a half for this walk if you plan on keeping strictly to the route. There are several opportunities to explore museums and you may also want to visit one of the many interesting and historic pubs mentioned en route. There are also plenty of cafes, restaurants and food outlets if you need a short or lengthy break at any point.
Some of the legal areas on the tour are not open to the public at weekends. I've included instructions to work around them, but the best time to take this tour is between Monday to Friday 8.30 am - 4.30 pm.
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 4
Wildy & Sons
On our right built into the gatehouse is the bookseller Wildy & Sons.
Wildey's is the world's oldest legal bookseller and has been in existence for over three hundred years. They have occupied Lincoln’s Inn Archway since 1830 and it has always been a fa... Read More
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Major Landmarks
Major Landmarks
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Lincoln's Inn
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North Gardens
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Wildy & Sons Ltd
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Lincoln’s Inn Chapel
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City of London Dragon Boundary Marks
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Ye Olde Mitre
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Hatton Garden
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The Castle Farringdon
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Smithfield Market
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St Bartholomew's Gatehouse
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Charterhouse Square
Getting There
Getting There
Route Overview
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Start location74 A40, London WC1V, UK
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Total distance3km
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Final locationCharterhouse Square, Barbican, London EC1M 6AN, UK
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Distance back to start location1km
Directions to Starting Point
The tour begins in High Holborn outside of the Penderel's Oak Pub (283-288 High Holborn, London WC1V 7HP).
The starting point can be accessed by walking from either Holborn underground station on the Piccadilly Line or Chancery Lane underground station on the Central Line. Busses numbered 8 and 521 stop close to the pub at the Brownlow Street stop
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Tips
Tips
Places to stop along the way
There are several museums along the route worth a visit. The museum of the order of St John, The Sir John Soane's Museum and The Charterhouse museum. Visit their website's for details on how and when to visit.
If you want to see Smithfield meat market in full swing you'll have to get up early as it trades between midnight and 7:00 am.
There are many pubs along the route, but the most interesting is the Mitre Tavern near Hatton Garden and is worth stepping inside.
The areas around High Holborn and Farringdon have the usual coffee, restaurants and fast food outlets
Best time of day
The route can be walked at any time of the day, however, I would recommend between 8.00 am - 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday. It will be busier during the working week than it will be at weekends, but some access to sites may be limited at the weekend and some of the pubs may be shut as well. Lincolns Inn is only open to the public between 8:00 - 4:30 during weekdays due to it being a centre for the legal profession and as such does not open at weekends.
Precautions
There are many busy roads that will need to be crossed, so care needs to be taken with a special eye on cyclists as there are some cycle lanes that run along the route. Take the usual precautions with valuables such as bags, cameras and phones.
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