
Turmoil, Templars & Oliver Twist London's Squalor and Splendour
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September 2026
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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 39 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Turmoil, Templars & Oliver Twist London's Squalor and Splendour worth booking?
Turmoil, Templars & Oliver Twist London's Squalor and Splendour is a 2-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $20 per person. It scores 77 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 39 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 77 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (39)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $20 per person
Travel through two thousand years of history, meeting Saxons, the Knights Templar, Charles Dickens, Freemasons, and the Bow Street Runners! On our guided walking tour we'll travel across Holborn, with its highs and lows
What you get
About this experience
Travel through two thousand years of history, meeting Saxons, the Knights Templar, Charles Dickens, Freemasons, and the Bow Street Runners! On our guided walking tour we'll travel across Holborn, with its highs and lows over the past two-thousand years. We'll learn about the turmoil of the Saxon period, visit the locations of Fagin's den and execution in Oliver Twist, see the splendour of Freemasons' Hall and the Knights Templar headquarters, hear about a couple of London's most notorious prisons, and discover the world's largest collection of retail silver! The guided walking tour begins outside Covent Garden Station, ends near to Blackfriars Station, and will take around two hours. Ticket sales will be limited to fifteen attendees, to ensure maximum enjoyment for everybody on the tour.
What's included
Included
- Guided walking tour
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Bow Street Museum of Crime and Justice
The history of the Bow Street Runners
5 minutes here
Freemasons' Hall
The history of Freemasons' Hall
5 minutes here
Royal Courts of Justice
The history of the Royal Courts of Justice
5 minutes here
Temple Church
The history of the Knights Templar and Temple Church
5 minutes here
The London Silver Vaults
The world's largest collection of retail silver
5 minutes here
Staple Inn
The last remaining of the Inns of Chancery buildings
5 minutes here
Old Bailey
The site of the Central Criminal Court - aka the Old Bailey - where Newgate Prison once stood
5 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
I will be outside the exit of Covent Garden Station, holding an Historic London Tours sign.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Near to Blackfriars Station (on the northern bank of the River Thames).
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
- Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Historic London Tours
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Not recommended if you're unable to walk two miles at a reasonable pace
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 39 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
39 verified traveler reviews for Turmoil, Templars & Oliver Twist London's Squalor and Splendour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Excellent London walking tour
Really clear - used a microphone to ensure we could all hear. Well paced. Thoughtful use of quieter areas in the shade rather than standing in the sun. Brilliant knowledge- I learnt loads and will book a tour in the future . Thank you
via Tripadvisor
Great Fun and Informative Tour
We booked the tour with Tom who was helpful and gave clear communications at all times. The tour itself was excellent and we all had a great time throughout.
via Tripadvisor
Brilliant two hours with Tom
Hugely enjoyed this walking tour. Tom was knowledgable and entertaining and it was an excellent afternoon.
via Tripadvisor
Great walking tour
Amazing walking tour - Tom is extremely knowledgable and full of useful stories and explanations of things you have walked past everyday without realising that they were there. Really enjoyed it and would recommend to anyone interested in London history.
via Tripadvisor
An insightful tour!
A really interested and well planned tour. We learned a lot, and Tom was very insightful.
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
- Fri, Sat, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 14
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 77
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Turmoil, Templars & Oliver Twist London's Squalor and Splendour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does Turmoil, Templars & Oliver Twist London's Squalor and Splendour cost?
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Prices start at $20 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 Turmoil, Templars & Oliver Twist London's Squalor and Splendour 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 Turmoil, Templars & Oliver Twist London's Squalor and Splendour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 77 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 39 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 Turmoil, Templars & Oliver Twist London's Squalor and Splendour?
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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 Turmoil, Templars & Oliver Twist London's Squalor and Splendour 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 Turmoil, Templars & Oliver Twist London's Squalor and Splendour?
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Around 14 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 Turmoil, Templars & Oliver Twist London's Squalor and Splendour 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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