The early morning tours of the City’s historic Smithfield Market usually take place monthly on a Thursday or Friday at 6.30am. This early start should not put anyone off - this is a really unusual experience for anyone interested in history, food and Victorian architecture. As if that wasn’t tempting enough, the tour provides a perfect opportunity to experience the hustle and bustle of the City of London’s last surviving market at first hand and in full flow. It focuses on the workings of the famous meat market but will also cover:
Duration: 90 minutes
Price: £17.50 + Eventbrite Booking fee
Book: via Eventbrite
If you have any questions about the tour please email us at smithfield@cityoflondonguides.com. And if you want to learn more about Smithfield's bloody past, why not go on our popular 'Dark Side of the City' tour, which take place on Friday mornings.
Photos: courtesy of Niki Gorick
Please note: children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Join us for evening walks along the River to discover the Illuminated River, the longest public art commission in the world.
Each bridge has its own lighting sequence created by artist, Leo Villareal and all together they shine a subtle and beautiful light on London.
There are two walks.
Eastern Bridges from Blackfriars Bridge to Tower Bridge
Western Bridges from Blackfriars Bridge to Westminster Bridge
Every October various Guiding Associations across London offer free walks. These take place across the capital throughout the day. Each tour is just an hour long to allow time to do walks in other parts of London.
In the City of London this year's theme is From Darkness To Light. Walk with us from the shadows of old London to the brilliant lights of the modern City: from dark stories of the Old Bailey and a medieval church, to the glories of gardens made from bombed ruins and St Paul's cathedral risen from the ashes of the Great Fire of London.
You can find out more here or just book your place.
Our daily walks run from the City Information Centre, just south of St Paul's. You need to book via Eventbrite to secure you place. Note: the cut-off time for booking our daily walks is 21:00hrs the night before. If we don't have any bookings then the walk will not take place. Read our policy on Refunds. Our weekly walks have individual booking pages and earlier cut-off times, please see the individual listing or download our Daily walks in the City of London leaflet.
If you'd like to organise your own walk, lecture or a virtual tour, then please use our Find a Guide section. If you're a member of an Arts Society or a U3A, a school or another group we'd love to take you on a tour of the City. Or if you're a company based in the City who'd like to organise a social event for your work colleagues, then contact one of our qualified guides, who can put together an evening walk for you.
90mins
£17.50
