The Freemasons Tour of London





Description
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.
Tour Options
Itinerary
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.
The communist heritage of Clerkenwell continues with this working institute.
We will see the beautiful old church garden, planted with traditional medicinal plants along with a surprising ancient military weapon.
An impressive old gatehouse / tower that was once the entryway to the compound of the Knights of St John.
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*
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*
One of the oldest churches in London and built by a Crusader.
One of the hidden treasures of the City of London and dating back almost 800 years old.
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.
The ruins of this old monastic building form a beautiful garden under the shadow of St Pauls Cathedral.
The old gate of the City of London with a fascinating and sometimes gory past.
A beautiful symbol of the City of London.
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.
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.
Explore Middle Temple, a beautiful area often used in television and films such as Downton Abbey or Charles Dickens.
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.
Learn about this beautiful and tranquil refuge in London
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.
We will pass by the oldest shop in London, immortalised in the writings of Charles Dickens.
This tiny old pub was once an early meeting place of the Freemasons
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.
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*
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
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.
Traveller Ratings
Important 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
Reviews(11)
The tour was extremely informative and interesting. We went to places we have never seen on past trips to London. Kevin was a delight.
The actual City of London is one square mile and is home to one of the world’s most important financial districts, the London Stock Exchange, the Bank of England, St. Paul’s Cathedral, history going back to at least the beginning of the Roman period, Templar, Hospitaller, Freemason, and monastic history. Those are just the highlights. By agreement dating back to William the Conqueror, the reigning monarch may not enter without the permission of the Lord Mayor, even to attend the wedding of his/her children. My tour guide, Kevin, with his delightful Eastsider’s accent and enthusiastic demeanor is an incredibly knowledgeable and personable guide. A Freemason himself, he knows those aspects important to that audience, but so much more. A solid historian and great company. Highly recommended!
Our guide, Kevin, was extremely knowledgeable about the area, British and UK history, and how it all fit together. We learned so much! He was terrific at answering all of our questions (and there were a lot). And he was passionate about all that he showed us. If we could give him 10 stars, we would!
More trivia than history. The guide should know that Temple Church was modeled after the Holy Sepulcher, not King Solomon’s Temple.
We're sorry if you didn't enjoy your tour as much as we would have hoped. It is not usually the case that we speak incorrectly as obviously we are aware of such basic history. We have written several best-selling history books and been featured by various heritage and national+international media organisations who come to us as they know we know our stuff. We don’t do trivia. The guide said you were concerned about getting back to your hotel and he was kind enough to return with you to your hotel with you to make sure everything was ok. It’s a shame his extra time and effort isn’t remembered whilst a slip of the tongue is. Nevertheless, thankyou for your review.
Kevin is a long term experienced guide and life-long ‘Londoner’. His passion for local history shined through at every stop as he delighted in exposing us to so very many hidden secrets at every turn. I highly recommend. Delightful personality and pride in his expertise!
I'm so glad that you enjoyed your tour with Kevin. He is amazing, a bit like the tour! Thanks so much for leaving us such a nice review and I;m so glad that you enjoyed the tour.
Happy to say, Kevin was our guide again. My husband and Kevin are Free Masons - hence "The handshake" Please encourage men today to join and learn how to help others.
I'm so pleased that you had a good time with Kevin on this special and unique tour. Thanks very much for your lovely reviews and for booking with Ye Olde England Tours.
Kevin was a great guide, and super knowledgeable about the city. He took us to places we never would have about without his help. The tour was very interesting, and we had a wonderful time.
Kevin is amazing isn't he? He was so thrilled when I sent him your review. Thanks so much for your booking and your review too, I'm glad you had such a good time at all the "secret" locations that the big groups never get to see or whose guide just walks by as they are unaware of what is there!
Great tour! Great guide! It was a lovely walk through parts of London I’ve never seen. I was very happy to see the churches.
Thanks for your lovely review. Yes there are so many beautiful churches in the City of London that most people never get to see. I'm so glad you enjoyed it all.
Let me start by saying that I only visited the grand lodge which in itself is worth a visit: it is a dive back into history up to 1717: the museum is very beautiful: I will definitely return for its great esoteric charm. I recommend reading something about the topic although they provide comprehensive audio guides
Thanks so much for your great review!
Kevin's knowledge and enthusiasm for London history was spot on. We had a great time, learned so many interesting things, and saw much generally unknown and overlooked London history. Fabulous way to learn about London's incredible history with a very personable and engaging guide. While Kevin was not able to disclose ALL of the secrets of the Templars, we really had a wonderful time with him*notwithstanding*!
Thanks so much for your wonderful review of our new tour. We're really glad that you enjoyed it so much and Kevin was really thrilled that you had such a good time. Thanks again!



