Turmoil, Templars & Oliver Twist London's Squalor and Splendour

Overview

Available languages

English

2 hours

Mobile ticket

Travel through two thousand years of history, meeting Saxons, the Knights Templar, Charles Dickens, Freemasons, and the Bow Street Runners!

On our guided walking tour we'll travel across Holborn, with its highs and lows over the past two-thousand years. We'll learn about the turmoil of the Saxon period, visit the locations of Fagin's den and execution in Oliver Twist, see the splendour of Freemasons' Hall and the Knights Templar headquarters, hear about a couple of London's most notorious prisons, and discover the world's largest collection of retail silver!

The guided walking tour begins outside Covent Garden Station, ends near to Blackfriars Station, and will take around two hours.

Ticket sales will be limited to fifteen attendees, to ensure maximum enjoyment for everybody on the tour.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Not recommended if you're unable to walk two miles at a reasonable pace

Cancellation Policy

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

What To Expect

Bow Street Museum of Crime and Justice

The history of the Bow Street Runners

5 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Freemasons' Hall

The history of Freemasons' Hall

5 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

What‘s Included

Guided walking tour

Gratuities

Options

Turmoil, Templars & Oliver Twist London's Squalor and Splendour

Reviews

5.00

30 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Walking Tour in London
Paradise156793,,Jan 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Today’s walking tour was v interesting and we enjoyed it very much. Tom was v knowledgeable and gave us ideas of other historic places we could visit. We will certainly be booking another in the near future.
Informative and engaging.
lesleymM4350PS,,Jan 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Tom is a wonderful tour guide. Very knowledgeable and engaging. This is the second tour I’ve booked with him, and have plans for more tours when I am back in London. Highly recommend his tours.
Tom was a very clear, informative and knowledgeable guide who gave us a very enjoyable and interesting experience.
Y4417IPrichards,,Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Tom was an excellent guide. He was very clear and informative and full of very interesting facts. I learned a lot in the two hours and Tom was extremely knowledgeable when answering questions. I and my family were all very impressed and we had a very enjoyable experience.
Fascinating exploration
melysp,,Oct 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great tour, full of a great range of knowledge and fascinating facts. Will definitely look for further tours in the future
Worth it
jerryhC8806LU,,Aug 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
very enjoyable and interesting experience - whilst I knew a far amount of the history Tom added a lot more to my knowledge - have already booked another walk with him
Away from the usual tourist track
bermudabeck,,Aug 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Whether you are a London local or visiting from away, I highly recommend this tour with Tom. History comes back to life with his fun tales and wide ranging knowledge.
Excellent Tour
karengN6932QB,,Jul 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was a fascinating tour covering certain historic periods of this majestic city and Tom is an excellent tour guide.
Excellent
westiebigfoot,,Jun 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Tom is an excellent guide. This is the 3rd tour we have done with him and will definitely do the others he offers. Small groups which is good.
Perfect for learning more about London's multi-faceted history!
496kiaw,,May 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It is always a pleasure following Tom on his historic tours in London. He has deep knowledge of every corner on his route and he tells us stories of dramas and peculiarities of everyday life in London as well as important events for the nation as well, always with the same passion (and with a twinkle in the eye - much appreciated)!
Interesting, fun and relaxed
alwilsons,,May 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Really enjoyed this. It’s the second of Tom’s tours we’ve been on, which I guess is a recommendation in itself. Tom has a very easy style, is interesting and well-informed, but not shy of admitting when he doesn’t know something and finding out the answer. The pace is easy, so two hours passes very easily. We’ll definitely do more.