Castles, Crusaders, Communists & Courts
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 1 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Castles, Crusaders, Communists & Courts worth booking?
Castles, Crusaders, Communists & Courts is a 3-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $66 per person. It scores 56 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 1 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 56 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (1)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $66 per person
Get a taste of real London as we explore narrow lanes & see a different side to London. Starting at Smithfields, where William Wallace of Braveheart fame met his terrible end. At St. Barts we will hear how one of the ol
What you get
- In-person guide
About this experience
Get a taste of real London as we explore narrow lanes & see a different side to London. Starting at Smithfields, where William Wallace of Braveheart fame met his terrible end. At St. Barts we will hear how one of the oldest hospitals in the world came to be created by a Crusader after a close encounter with a Saint & explore some of the places that were built as a result. Nearby Charterhouse started off as a Priory. It also sits next to one of the biggest known plague pits in London, we can see the remains of an unfortunate victim who was recently unearthed. See old gatehouse of the Knights of St John and see some of their great treasures & pass through old Dickensian Clerkenwell whose terrible poverty saw the first meeting between Lenin & Stalin. See beautiful streets & squares of one of the most prominent legal districts in London including the largest (& unvisited) square in London before we finish at the end of famous old Fleet Street outside the Royal Courts of Justice.
What's included
Included
- In-person guide
Not included
- Tube travel, before or after the tour.
What you'll see and do
St. Paul's Cathedral
Marvel at the beautiful cathedral of the City of London, the latest in the long time of holy sanctuaries to be built here since before the Roman times.
10 minutes here · Admission not included
Old Bailey
The Oldest Court in the Western World and famous for its high profile cases that still are held here today.
5 minutes here · Admission not included
The Viaduct Tavern
This old pub infamously has jail cells beneath it where people would await their fate... normally being publicly executed just outside as highlighted in the works of Charles Dickens.
5 minutes here · Admission not included
WIlliam Wallace Memorial
See the place where William Wallace of Braveheart fame died, along with many others through the ages.
5 minutes here
Church Of St. Bartholomew The Great
We will explore the ancient church, often used in movies and built by a dying crusader who had had a vision of a Saint in the Holy Lands. We will also visit nearby sites associated with the same encounter.
15 minutes here · Admission included
The Charterhouse
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).
15 minutes here
The Museum of the Order 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.
15 minutes here
Clerkenwell was the scene of dreadful poverty in the 19th Century and the inspiration behind one of Charles Dickens great novels. This poverty led to Lenin and Stalin meeting here for the first time in what is now a beautiful old pub.
5 minutes here · Admission not included
Marx Memorial Library
The communist heritage of Clerkenwell continues with this working institute.
5 minutes here · Admission not included
This beautiful street was the scene of both a wedding a dreadful act by King Henry VIII and technically is part of Cambridgeshire... in the middle of London.
10 minutes here
Lincoln's Inn
The largest square in London though rarely visited by tourists which is a shame as it is a beautiful, ancient and tranquil square with great halls, a wonderful chapel and well tended gardens. Home to one of the great Inns of Court.
25 minutes here
Royal Courts of Justice
We will finish at the Royal Courts of Justice, one of the great courts which stands at the end of famous old Fleet Street on the borders of the City of London and the City of Westminster.
5 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
An alternative starting point just outside the station.
Meeting point
London
Just outside St Pauls Underground Station by Caffe Nero
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Just outside The Royal Courts, a short walk from Temple Underground 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
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Ye Olde England Tours
Know before you go
- 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
- We have earmarked this tour as especially safe during the Coronavirus outbreak due to generally quiet places that we visit where social distancing is generally not a problem. All of our tours are private so it is just you/your family and your guide. To make it easier and safer for all concerned we would suggest starting this tour a little later than the usual time, perhaps around 10.30-11am which allows us all to miss rush-hour. We are happy to still come to your hotel to meet you but for the moment we would suggest meeting us at the tour starting point. This allows you to arrive by a taxi or uber rather than public transport. Please feel free to wear masks throughout or at times during the tour. Your guide will also have a mask with them.
Photos
Traveler reviews
1 verified traveler reviews for Castles, Crusaders, Communists & Courts. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
At the heart of things but off the beaten path - truly the best way to see London!
Seriously the most cool walking tour available in London. No tourists. Just you, Stephen and the an insiders view at some of the most overlooked places with the most amazing pieces of London history: the place where William Wallace (of Braveheart fame) was drawn and quartered, the Templar church (yes, those of the Crusades), the bar where Stalin and Lenin argued (naturally just a few steps from the Karl Marx institute), the Old Bailey, the houses Dickens used as inspiration for Bleak House and Scrooge (and where the boy bought the Christmas goose), the Priory of St John (yes! the ambulance guys to this day!) and so very much more. It is an amazing trip through history and the personalities and proclivities that shaped it. Very much off the beaten tourist path. Highly recommend!
Response from the operator: That was such a good day. I'm so glad that you enjoyed this tour as I had created it during Covid and of course had no takers for a year or two. I'm really glad you enjoyed it as much as I did and am very appreciative of your lovely review.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 5+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $66 to $195
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 56
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Castles, Crusaders, Communists & Courts: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does Castles, Crusaders, Communists & Courts cost?
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Prices start at $66 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 Castles, Crusaders, Communists & Courts take?
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Plan for about 3 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 Castles, Crusaders, Communists & Courts worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 56 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 1 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in London, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Castles, Crusaders, Communists & Courts?
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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 Castles, Crusaders, Communists & Courts suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 5. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 3-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Castles, Crusaders, Communists & Courts?
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Around 0 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?
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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 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Castles, Crusaders, Communists & Courts start and how do I get there?
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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?
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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 Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour, London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs, The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour. 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?
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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?
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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?
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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.
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