Journey through London's Smithfield and Clerkenwell on a torch-lit night walk led by acclaimed historian and author Dr Matthew Green for Two people.
WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT?
This 2hr immersive experience will transport you back in time to explore how London emerged from the darkness and into the light, with spine-tingling performances in shadowy churchyards and alleyways. Oh, and don't forget the piping-hot wine to keep you warm - cheers to that!
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Step into the fascinating evolution of London's nocturnal world, from its pitch-black Roman origins to the luminous streets of the Georgian era. Your journey begins in Smithfield, where Protestant martyrs were martyred during the reign of Mary Tudor. As you venture north to Clerkenwell's twisting, winding streets, immerse yourself in the stories of nightwalkers and transgressive figures who once gave London a unique air of menace.
Engage with history like never before as you mingle with Bloody Mary, witness St. John's Gate's drunken watchman yelling from above, and experience the eerie sensation of walking down a pitch-black alleyway with a stranger behind you and a link boy's lantern ahead. You'll encounter some of the earliest street lamps, visit a candlelit tavern, and hear the harrowing memoirs of a London link boy. In Passing Alley, listen to the confessions of Clerkenwell mollies and explore the unique history of the River Fleet. Discover tales of Clerkenwell Marxists, lank merchants, jelly-house millionaires, blind fiddlers, and the colorful characters of London's nocturnal past. With a lantern in hand and your breath swirling in the crisp night air, this tour unveils the origins of London's thriving nighttime culture, showcasing not only the physical transformation but also the mental and physical Enlightenment that forever changed the city's nightscape.