The Great Fire, Plague & Black Death Tour of London
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is The Great Fire, Plague & Black Death Tour of London worth booking?
The Great Fire, Plague & Black Death Tour of London is a 2-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from £65 per person. It scores 62 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 3 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 62 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (3)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- £65 per person
Step back in time and well away from the other tourists as we explore key sites and pivotal moments from two of the biggest disasters to hit London in its over 2,000 year history. We will visit where the Great Plague started and learn how and why it took hold and spread leaving London possibly the worst hit city in the world. We will visit plague pits including the biggest one and will even come face to face with an unfortunate victim of the Black Death who was only recently uncovered. Visit the resting place of Samuel Pepys whose diary gives us such a unique account of life through the Great Plague and the Great Fire of London as we tread the same streets as he did. We will also see where The Great Fire of London started and was extinguished as well as learning how it helped wipe out the Great Plague from London for good. Along the way we will visit various other sites and locations from the Middle Ages and Medieval periods that didn't just change London but the world.
What you get
About this experience
Step back in time and well away from the other tourists as we explore key sites and pivotal moments from two of the biggest disasters to hit London in its over 2,000 year history. We will visit where the Great Plague started and learn how and why it took hold and spread leaving London possibly the worst hit city in the world. We will visit plague pits including the biggest one and will even come face to face with an unfortunate victim of the Black Death who was only recently uncovered. Visit the resting place of Samuel Pepys whose diary gives us such a unique account of life through the Great Plague and the Great Fire of London as we tread the same streets as he did. We will also see where The Great Fire of London started and was extinguished as well as learning how it helped wipe out the Great Plague from London for good. Along the way we will visit various other sites and locations from the Middle Ages and Medieval periods that didn't just change London but the world.
What's included
Included
- Private Guided Walking Tour
Not included
- Tube travel costs. Around £5
What you'll see and do
St Giles-in-the-Fields Church
It's hard to imagine 700 years ago where this church is was was once in a tiny village in the country. Things didn't stay cute forever with all manner of sad events here before becoming infamous for being where the first cases of the plague were detected in the spring of 1665.
15 minutes here
Charterhouse Square
Visit the spot of the largest ever discovered plague pit containing tens of thousands of victims who died from the Black Death .
10 minutes here
The Charterhouse
We will come face to face with an extraordinary skeleton of a young man who died from the Black Death around 1348.
15 minutes here
WIlliam Wallace Memorial
See where William Wallace was executed not too many years before the Black Death.
5 minutes here
Peasants' Revolt Plaque
London was ravaged by things other than the Great Plague. Here we will see where the pivotal Peasants Revolt came to a head.
5 minutes here
Stand on the spot where bishops were martyred in the 16th century.
5 minutes here
St Bartholomew's Gatehouse
This fabulous old hospital has just celebrated its 901st anniversary. It obviously features heavily in the story of the Great Plague in London.
Pass by without stopping
Golden Boy of Pye Corner
This quaint memorial commemorates where the Great Fire of London was extinguished. Learn the story of its design and see some of the actual houses that lay witness to the Great Plague and Great Fire of London.... what a time to be alive!
5 minutes here
Underground stations don't often appear as an attraction on tours but this one has a grisly connection with the Great Plague. Try not to think about it too much as we get the tube here!
10 minutes here
Aldgate Square
Daniel Defore writes memorably about the plague pit that lies beneath. There is plenty of other plague related bits around here and if that's to enough, one of Jack The Rippers victims was killed a few yards away.
5 minutes here
Almost an institution in London but obviously as it has a special place in this tour, it can't be for good reasons.
5 minutes here
A beautiful medieval church steeple surrounded by 21st Century London. One might wonder what happened to the church..... Hmmm!
Pass by without stopping
St Olave's Church
This beautiful old church is the resting place of the erstwhile Samuel Pepys and his wife. His diary is perhaps the best contemporary evidence of what life was like in London during the Great Plague and Great Fire of London.
15 minutes here
This beautiful modern garden was recently redeveloped and was the place where Samuel Pepys lived and worked. The footpath in the garden has etchings of momentous events in the life of Samuel Pepys. How many will you know?
15 minutes here
Tower Hill Memorial
Visit the infamous Tower Hill where so many well known figures from history met their grisly end.
5 minutes here
See the exact spot where the legendary Great Fire of London started and perhaps its one redeeming feature.
5 minutes here
The Monument to the Great Fire of London
We finish at The Monument to the Great Fire of London.
5 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
We will meet just outside the iconic Dominion Theatre a few feet from the exit of Tottenham Court Road Underground Station.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations.
Ends at
The tour ends at the Monument to the Great Fire of London, a few feet from the nearest Underground Station, easy to find a taxi here too or walk onwards for a drink or meal.
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
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Ye Olde England Tours
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 3 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
1 mentionThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
3 verified traveler reviews for The Great Fire, Plague & Black Death Tour of London. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
The best tour I’ve ever taken.
This was the absolute best, most interesting tour I’ve ever taken. First of all, our guides Kevin & Stephen were very personable, kind, helpful and knew their history. England is their home and they were happy to share with us so many beautiful and historical sites along with such interesting history of the plague, the great fire, the schools, the churches, the local buildings, the neighborhoods, of individuals from that time period, just so many historical details and sites that, without them, we would’ve walked right past having no idea! We were able to go inside of some amazing places. We visited the location of the plague pits and also learned the stories of some of the heros who were forward thinking enough to save lives during such a devastating time. Both Kevin and Stephen looked out for us on the tube and on the streets since we are visitors and learning to get around the city. Both had great personalities and we laughed a lot and felt like we made two new friends. Kevin even walked us to the market afterward and gave us tips for lunch and more history along the way. I only wish we had more time in London so we could do more of their tours! Definitely next time! Don’t hesitate to book. I’ve done tours in London, Greece, others parts of England, Italy and the USA. This has been my favorite.
via Tripadvisor
A really fascinating tour – with a great guide!
This was a wonderful tour. The stories of London’s experience with the bubonic plague are fascinating, and it was wonderful to be able to walk around the city and see some of the places where it all happened. It was very interesting, and touching, to see the sites of actual plague pits – now parks and squares – but which were once witness to some of the most desperate and bleak periods of London’s past. Seeing the area where Samuel Pepys lived was also fascinating. Stephen is a fantastic guide and really brings the history to life! He is brimming over with lots of stories and information about London over the centuries. Don’t miss this great tour!
Response from the operator: Thanks so much for your fantastic review. It was so nice to meet you and it was really nice for me to show these often forgotten places to people who were really into the the theme of the tour. I hope you're both keeping well and thank-you again!
via Tripadvisor
A truly atmospheric experience of a dramatic period in London's history.
I loved this tour and highly recommend it! It was so atmospheric to wander in the neighbourhoods where so many people perished, to see the plague pits where they were buried, to walk in the same streets that Samuel Pepys walked, stand where his house stood and visit the church where he worshipped regularly. This walk really brings home the devastating impact of the Plague, not just on the population, but on the city itself. Stephen Liddell is a fantastic tour guide. In addition to being relaxed and fun to walk around with, he is a veritable gold mine of information on the history of London, and really brought to life a very dark and frightening period in the city's history. Stephen is a very engaging, knowledgeable and experienced guide, and his tour is a unique way to experience London's past. Don't miss it!
Response from the operator: Thank-you so much for your wonderful review. I'm so glad that you had a good time. It was lovely to meet you and I enjoyed it too. So much slightly grim but fascinating history to see.
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
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Price range
- £65 to £170
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Ye Olde England Tours, who run 55 experiences we rank across 4 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 55.2.
See everything Ye Olde England Tours runsWhy this scores 62
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
The Great Fire, Plague & Black Death Tour of London: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does The Great Fire, Plague & Black Death Tour of London cost?
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Prices start at £65 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 The Great Fire, Plague & Black Death Tour of London take?
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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 The Great Fire, Plague & Black Death Tour of London worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 62 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 3 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in London, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule The Great Fire, Plague & Black Death Tour of London?
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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 The Great Fire, Plague & Black Death Tour of London suitable for kids and families?
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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 The Great Fire, Plague & Black Death Tour of London?
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Around 1 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 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does The Great Fire, Plague & Black Death Tour of London 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 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?
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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.
What is included in The Great Fire, Plague & Black Death Tour of London?
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Included: Private Guided Walking Tour. Not included: Tube travel costs. Around £5. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does The Great Fire, Plague & Black Death Tour of London include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 297 listed pickup locations in and around London.
What languages is The Great Fire, Plague & Black Death Tour of London offered in?
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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 The Great Fire, Plague & Black Death Tour of London?
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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 The Great Fire, Plague & Black Death Tour of London if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in London. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about The Great Fire, Plague & Black Death Tour of London?
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Across 3 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, food and drink. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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