The Freemasons Tour of London

4.8 (12 reviews) London, England
Duration3h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Private tourOnly your group will participate
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

During its 2,000 year history London has been shaped by all manner of religious and military groups associated with the Holy Land and we will visit both some of the most famous.

The first place we will visit is the old gatehouse of the Knights of St John and learn about their role in the Crusades.

A short walk away takes us to Charterhouse, an island of antiquity that started off as a Priory, became a school and then a hospital. We may also visit the remains of victim of the Black Death from their plague pit.

At Smithfields we will see William Wallace of Braveheart died & learn the story behind St. Barts.

Then to Temple Church, set in a beautiful, quiet courtyard just off Fleet Street made famous by the DaVinci Code films with Tom Hanks.

Passing through beautiful Middle Temple, often used for filming to Lincolns Inn Fields (the largest square in London) to finish at the Freemasons Hall. Here we will get to learn a little about this often little-known but historic group.

What's included

  • Hotel pick-up
  • Tube tickets before and after the tour

What to expect

  1. Clerk's Well
    5m
    See this hidden well that even most Londoners don't know about and learn about how this old knights well gave its name to an entire district of London.
  2. Marx Memorial Library
    5m · Admission ticket not included
    The communist heritage of Clerkenwell continues with this working institute.
  3. 10m
    We will see the beautiful old church garden, planted with traditional medicinal plants along with a surprising ancient military weapon.
  4. St John's Gate
    5m · Admission ticket not included
    An impressive old gatehouse / tower that was once the entryway to the compound of the Knights of St John.
  5. The Museum of the Order of St John
    15m · Admission ticket included
    We will see the gatehouse belonging to the Knights of St John Crusaders and have a quick look inside at their collection of weapons and armour. *Please note this museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesday*
  6. The Charterhouse
    15m
    Charterhouse Square, one of the largest plague pits before entering Charterhouse chapel and amongst other things seeing a recently discovered skeleton of a victim of the Black Death (Plague). *Please note this museum is closed on Mondays*
  7. Church Of St. Bartholomew The Great
    5m · Admission ticket not included
    One of the oldest churches in London and built by a Crusader.
  8. St Bartholomew's Gatehouse
    5m · Admission ticket not included
    One of the hidden treasures of the City of London and dating back almost 800 years old.
  9. WIlliam Wallace Memorial
    10m
    We will see the spot where Braveheart died as well as learn of some of the other notable events that took place in this historic location.
  10. 5m
    The ruins of this old monastic building form a beautiful garden under the shadow of St Pauls Cathedral.
  11. Christopher Wren's Temple Bar
    5m · Admission ticket not included
    The old gate of the City of London with a fascinating and sometimes gory past.
  12. St. Paul's Cathedral
    5m · Admission ticket not included
    A beautiful symbol of the City of London.
  13. 5m
    In a small yard, down a tiny alleyway we will see all that remains of an institution that gave this famous part of London its name.
  14. 5m · Admission ticket not included
    The remains of this monastic building are well off the beaten track for most Londoners, let alone tourists but this one is right on our path towards one of the most famous churches in the world.
  15. 5m
    Explore Middle Temple, a beautiful area often used in television and films such as Downton Abbey or Charles Dickens.
  16. Temple Church
    15m · Admission ticket included
    Inspired by what the Templars saw in the Holy Land, they built this ancient church which for a time was incredibly popular due to the DaVinci Code films but is now once again a peaceful sanctuary.
  17. Inner Temple
    5m · Admission ticket included
    Learn about this beautiful and tranquil refuge in London
  18. Fleet Street
    10m
    We will walk along one of the most famous streets in London, once the home to the infamous British newspaper trade and visit a long lost ruin from a famous monastic order.
  19. The Old Curiosity Shop
    5m · Admission ticket not included
    We will pass by the oldest shop in London, immortalised in the writings of Charles Dickens.
  20. The Seven Stars
    5m
    This tiny old pub was once an early meeting place of the Freemasons
  21. Lincoln's Inn
    10m
    We will pass through the largest square in London, though one rarely visited by tourists. Learn the story of the Great Fire of London here.
  22. Freemasons' Hall
    15m
    Freemasons' Hall in London is the headquarters of the United Grand Lodge of England and the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England, as well as being a meeting place for many Masonic Lodges in the London area. * Please note the Freemasons Museum is closed on Mondays*

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Just outside Farringdon Underground Station

End point

The tour ends at the Freemasons Hall, just a few minutes walk from Holborn and also Covent Garden Underground Stations, as well as all the attractions of Covent Garden.

Pickup details

Please inform us of your Central London hotel.

We would meet you in the reception area of your hotel and then go by Underground (or taxi) to the starting point at Farringdon, otherwise we can meet outside Farringdon station itself.

Additional information

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Cancellation policy

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

Reviews

4.8 (12)
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