Guildhall, London

Guildhall, London

Excavate beneath the streets of London, and you'll uncover layers of Roman, Saxon, and Medieval remnants. This locale has served as a gathering point since the days of ancient Rome (take note of the circular trace of the former Roman amphitheater on the square). During medieval times, it served as the meeting place for various guilds, a tradition that endures with approximately 100 professional associations congregating here today.

The venerable hall, which miraculously has withstood both the Great Fire of 1666 and the bombings of World War II, can trace its origins back to the 15th century, making it a precious relic of civil architecture from the Middle Ages that still stands. Adjacent to this historic hall is the Guildhall Art Gallery, offering free admission and a fascinating glimpse into the social fabric of old London through a collection primarily consisting of Victorian paintings depicting various scenes from the city's past. This gallery houses one of London's finest Victorian art collections, thoughtfully arranged into thematic categories such as home, beauty, faith, leisure, work, love, and imagination. Additionally, it showcases enchanting Pre-Raphaelite artworks. In the gallery's basement, you'll find a meticulously curated exhibition dedicated to the aforementioned Roman amphitheater unearthed during a construction project in 1988.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in London. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Guildhall on Map

1
30 m
100 ft
Leaflet © OpenStreetMap contributors
Sight Name: Guildhall
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in London, England

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Create Your Own Walk in London

Creating your own self-guided walk in London is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Bridges of London

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Around thirty bridges span the Thames river in London, each with its own story. Our self-guided walk takes you to see nine such historical structures located in the heart of the city, starting from the storied Westminster Bridge and ending at the iconic Tower Bridge.

The latter has stood over the River Thames in London since 1894 and is one of the finest, most recognizable bridges in the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.2 Km or 3.2 Miles
City of London Walking Tour

City of London Walking Tour

The City of London, widely referred to simply as the City (with the capital C), is also colloquially known as the Square Mile, for being just 1.12 sq mi in area. Situated on top of the original Roman center of commerce, called Londinium, established in 43 AD, this neighborhood is the historic and financial heart of the British capital. It has been a major meeting point for international business...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
Kensington/Knightsbridge Walking Tour

Kensington/Knightsbridge Walking Tour

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
Walk around Buckingham Palace

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Buckingham Palace, the British monarch's official residence, is a must-see for anyone visiting London, but so are the adjacent royal establishments that give a unique window into the royal way of life. On this self-guided walking tour, along with Buckingham Palace and its memorable fountain, you will visit the St. James's private royal residence, the wonderful Queen's Gallery, and...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Sherlock Holmes Tour in London

Sherlock Holmes Tour in London

Among a myriad of other, real-life celebrities who have ever called London their home, perhaps the most famous is the fictional consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes, created by Conan Doyle. Indeed, the ingenious sleuth has left an indelible mark on the literary and cultural landscape of London ever since the appearance of the first stories about him in the late 1880s. Years on, there are several...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
London Introduction Walking Tour

London Introduction Walking Tour

After the Roman invasion of 43 AD, the settlement of Londinium came into being. Things went well enough until 61 AD. Then Queen Boudica and her Iceni warriors arrived. They burned the town to ashes. They were not just rowdy tourists. Londinium had died but it rose again and it flourished until the Romans left in the 5th century.

With the Romans gone, Londinium was Anglo-Saxon Lundenwic. Until...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles

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