London: Bloody History Walking Tour Smithfield & Black Death

Summary

Smithfield’s secrets from plague pits to ghostly alleys and old pubs

You’ll walk London’s streets where knights fought, body snatchers crept, and the Black Death left its mark. Explore Smithfield Market, medieval churches, plague pits, and secret pubs with a local guide who brings dark history alive—and maybe leaves you glancing over your shoulder on the way home.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I flinched when our guide, Tom, started the tour by describing how bodies were stacked in the plague pit just behind us—right there, where commuters now hurry past Barbican Station. It’s weird, feeling the city’s normal hum but knowing you’re standing on centuries of not-so-quiet history. The air smelled faintly metallic that morning (maybe the rain on old stone?) and I kept glancing at my shoes. Tom seemed to love these awkward moments—he grinned and said, “Welcome to Smithfield.”

We wandered through narrow lanes, passing the ancient Smithfield Market. I’d seen it before but never noticed the carvings or the way butchers still shout over the clatter inside. At one point we ducked into a quiet alley where Tom told us about body snatchers—he mimed their sneaky walk and someone actually giggled (I did too). There was a spot where William Wallace was executed; people left flowers and a scarf with “Braveheart” scrawled on it. Tom explained he probably wasn’t yelling anything heroic at that moment… honestly, I didn’t know whether to laugh or feel queasy.

The weather kept shifting—sunlight one minute, drizzle the next—and it made everything feel slippery and real. We stopped by London’s oldest parish church; an old woman was sweeping steps and nodded at us like she’d seen this tour a hundred times. There was a sudden silence when we talked about the Black Death mass graves. You could almost hear your own breath in those seconds.

We ended near Farringdon Station after two miles or so—my feet were tired but my head was buzzing with stories: ghosts, slums Dickens wrote about, even open-air sewers that used to run right under our path. Someone suggested a pint at this pub tucked down an alley (Tom said it’s his favorite), and honestly, it felt right to toast all those messy layers of London history. I still think about that scarf tied for Wallace.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore London's bloody historical sites

• Start outside Barbican Station
• Visit fourteenth century monastery and plague pit
• See one thousand year old Smithfield Market
• Explore home of medieval Knights Hospitallers
• Walk through quiet alley with noisy history
• View memorial to William Wallace
• Visit London's oldest surviving parish church
• See site where Great Fire of 1666 ended
• Discover site of River Fleet sewer
• Stop at hidden pub down alleyway
• Visit oldest surviving hospital in country
• End near Farringdon Station

Top questions

How long is the Bloody History Walking Tour in London?

The tour lasts around two hours and covers about two miles on foot.

Where does the London Bloody Past walking tour start and end?

The walking tour begins outside Barbican Station and ends near Farringdon Station.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it is suitable for all physical fitness levels according to the information provided.

Are service animals allowed on this walking tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed during the tour.

What main sites are included in this Smithfield walking tour?

You’ll visit Smithfield Market, plague pits, medieval churches, William Wallace memorials, historic pubs, and more.

Does this walking tour include entry fees or lunch?

No entry fees or lunch are mentioned; your ticket covers participation in the guided walking tour only.

How many people are allowed per group?

The group size is limited to fifteen attendees for a better experience.

Are public transportation options nearby?

Yes, both Barbican and Farringdon stations are close to public transportation links.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided small-group walking tour through Smithfield’s historic streets with stops at plague pits, medieval churches, ancient markets, ghostly alleys, memorials like William Wallace’s site—and even a hidden pub if you fancy ending with a drink. No hotel pickup or meals included; just bring comfy shoes and curiosity.