Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past
London, United Kingdom

Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past

Outty Ranking 89 5.0 · 289 traveler reviews2 hoursFrom $27
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Outty Ranking

89/100

Exceptional. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 289 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past worth booking?

Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past is a 2-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $27 per person. It scores 89 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 5/5 rating across 289 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
89 / 100
Rating
5/5 (289)
Duration
2 hours
From
$27 per person

Travel through a thousand years of history, meeting medieval knights, body snatchers, Charles Dickens, an eighteenth century ghost, and William Wallace - aka Braveheart (and learn how he was in no fit state to shout "Freeeedoooommmm!" whilst being executed!) On our walking tour we'll visit the areas around Smithfield, for centuries London's site of both animal and human slaughter. We'll learn about how the city disposed of the tens of thousands of Black Death corpses in the fourteenth century, the execution methods used in the Middle Ages, and how the area became a notorious slum which Dickens used as the setting for Oliver Twist. The walking tour begins outside Barbican Station, ends near to Farringdon Station, and will take around two hours. Total distance is about two miles. Ticket sales will be limited to fifteen attendees, to ensure maximum enjoyment for everybody on the tour.

What you get

    About this experience

    Travel through a thousand years of history, meeting medieval knights, body snatchers, Charles Dickens, an eighteenth century ghost, and William Wallace - aka Braveheart (and learn how he was in no fit state to shout "Freeeedoooommmm!" whilst being executed!) On our walking tour we'll visit the areas around Smithfield, for centuries London's site of both animal and human slaughter. We'll learn about how the city disposed of the tens of thousands of Black Death corpses in the fourteenth century, the execution methods used in the Middle Ages, and how the area became a notorious slum which Dickens used as the setting for Oliver Twist. The walking tour begins outside Barbican Station, ends near to Farringdon Station, and will take around two hours. Total distance is about two miles. Ticket sales will be limited to fifteen attendees, to ensure maximum enjoyment for everybody on the tour.

    What's included

    Included

    • Tour

    Not included

    • Gratuities

    What you'll see and do

    1. The Charterhouse

      A fourteenth century monastery and plague pit

      10 minutes here

    2. Smithfield Market

      A one thousand year old meat market

      10 minutes here

    3. St John's Gate

      The home of the medieval Knights Hospitallers

      10 minutes here

    4. Cloth Fair

      A quiet alley with a noisy history

      10 minutes here

    5. WIlliam Wallace Memorial

      The memorial to William Wallace, aka Braveheart

      10 minutes here

    6. Church Of St. Bartholomew The Great

      London's oldest surviving parish church

      10 minutes here · Admission included

    7. Golden Boy of Pye Corner

      The site where the Great Fire of 1666 died out, and of eighteenth century ghost hysteria

      10 minutes here

    8. Holborn Viaduct

      The site of the River Fleet, Victorian London's largest open air sewer

      10 minutes here

    9. Ye Olde Mitre

      A hidden gem of a pub, hidden down an alleyway

      10 minutes here

    10. St Bartholomew's Hospital Museum

      The oldest surviving hospital in the country

      10 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    London

    We meet outside Barbican Station exit. Please aim to arrive five minutes early as the tour will start on time. If you aren't able to make the tour or you will be late, please message me on +44 7783 401 129 so that I know whether to send you our live location on WhatsApp.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    On Ely Place, around the corner from Farringdon Station

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Thu, Sat
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Historic London Tours

    Know before you go

    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    St Sepulchre-without-Newgate, Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody PastSt Sepulchre-without-Newgate, Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody PastWilliam Wallace memorial in Smithfield, Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody PastCharterhouse, Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody PastOld Mitre pub, Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody PastWilliam Wallace memorial, Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 288 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    9 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    The guide

    6 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Pace and timing

    2 mentions

    Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.

    Traveler reviews

    288 verified traveler reviews for Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    281
    4 star
    7
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    DEJCampers · October 2026

    Highly recommened tour

    I had the pleasure of participating in Historic London Tours "Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past" and liked it so much I also went on the "Roman Ruins to Blitz Bombings: A Walking Tour of London's Fiery History" tour a week later. Both tours were excellent. Tom is extremely knowledgeable and has a knack for translating his knowledge in an engaging way. The walking wasnt too fast-paced, with regular stops to learn more about the history of where we were on that particular part of the tour. Tom answered various questions along the way, and everyone was both able to see and, more importantly, hear what he was explaining even in large groups. Thoroughly recommended.

    via Tripadvisor

    M678RXemmab · September 2026

    Insightful tour around the City

    My friend and I absolutely loved the tour around the City. Booking, meeting up, walking around, etc couldn't have been easier. Tom certainly knows his stuff! We loved listening to all the tales, the detailed history and random facts he provided and we were glued to his every word. I can't recommend this tour enough - we will definitely be booking more tours with Tom in the near future.

    via Tripadvisor

    O48HYsuea · September 2026

    Excellent Tour and Guide

    We love doing walks with Tom. His presentation and communication skills are superb. The pace is great. I have lived in London all my life and we both know it well, but on these walks with Tom we learn so much more. lots of history, quirky details and humour. He is happy to answer questions. Highly recommended.

    via Tripadvisor

    Shanta_O · August 2026

    Such a fun and informative tour

    What a wonderful tour. I and my three children wanted to learn about the darker side of London history. We live in London and walk these streets without knowing the rich history behind it and this tour did not disappoint. So informative and captivating. My 26 year old, 14 year old and 10 year old thoroughly loved it, especially the gruesome parts. I highly recommend this to everyone

    via Viator

    CarolineV2501 · August 2026

    Bloody lovely London

    Wonderful guide with a lot of knowledge about London history. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour and learned a lot of new things about the Smithfield area of London. Great experience, would definitely recommend.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    2 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Thu, Sat
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    101
    Verdict
    Exceptional

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Historic London Tours, who run 3 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 82.3.

    See everything Historic London Tours runs

    Why this scores 89

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)98
    Review evidence (18% weight)75
    Booking momentum (14% weight)71
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)89
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.

    How much does Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past cost?

    +

    Prices start at $27 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in London usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past take?

    +

    Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in London is not rushed.

    Is Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 89 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 289 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most highly reviewed in London, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past?

    +

    Around 101 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in London can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in London and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central London within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in London?

    +

    London's best attractions split cleanly: the museums are free and need no booking, so the paid market is about views, theatre and getting out of the city for a day. That makes value scoring unusually important here, and the Outty Ranking penalises anything charging premium prices for access you could get for nothing. On Outty we rank every London experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour, Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour, London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit London?

    +

    May to September for long evenings, December for the Christmas markets. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in London?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past?

    +

    Included: Tour. Not included: Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past?

    +

    We meet outside Barbican Station exit. Please aim to arrive five minutes early as the tour will start on time. If you aren't able to make the tour or you will be late. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past offered in?

    +

    It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past?

    +

    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    What happens to Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past if the weather is bad?

    +

    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past?

    +

    Across 289 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted. One thing to know: Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.

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