
It’s no secret London is a hive of history, with the vestiges of a centuries-old past found around nearly every corner. Whether you love to delve into the mysteries of a bygone era, fancy walking in the footsteps of famous figures from the past or want to step back in time on an immersive adventure, we’ve rounded up some of the best historical experiences and things to do in London.
1. Sip spirits with spectres at the oldest pub in the city
We can’t talk about history and London without mentioning the city’s oldest boozer. Pubs are an intrinsic part of our culture after all. Dating back to 1520, The Prospect of Whitby pub in Wapping has a particularly dark and storied past. If the walls could talk they’d be blabbing about its early beginnings as a haunt for pirates, smugglers and criminals – you can chalk that up to its riverside location – before it burned down and started a new life under its current name.
While you’re sinking a few pints and musing on the frozen-in-time interiors (a nod to its history no doubt) you can gaze out the window at a morbid piece of the past: the noose and gallows of Execution Dock. It’ll come as no surprise the pub is said to be haunted – there are even regular ghost tours if you fancy some spooky spectating.
📍57 Wapping Wall, London E1W 3SH.
2. Step inside history books at The Gunpowder Plot experience
Prepare to be plunged into the past at The Gunpowder Plot Experience, an immersive tale of treason unfolding in the shadowy depths of the Tower Vaults. The explosive experience brings history to life, inviting you to live out the notorious events of 1605 with authentic Jacobean sets, talented live actors, gripping virtual reality and interactive scenes. Not only is it an enlightening look at one of the most daring conspiracies in history, but you’ll get to meet the oppressed rebels (including Guy Fawkes played by Tom Felton) and use your wits to determine who are the traitors and who you can trust.
📍8-12 Tower Hill Vaults, London. EC3N 4EE. Nearest tube station is Tower Hill.
3. Soak up some history at St. Dunstan in the East Gardens
Now the weather is perking up (for now anyway), you’ll probably want to spend a bit more time soaking up a precious bit of sunlight. One particular place that boasts not only a long and interesting history, but spellbinding surroundings is St. Dunstan In The East.
The overgrown ruins of the 1,000-year-old church are a striking spot to explore, where vines twist through the empty shells of gothic windows and creep across the walls like an intricate cobweb, while palm trees add an unexpected tropical touch and sun-dappled moss bathes the space in a spectrum of green. Once you’ve enjoyed the romanticism of this almost dystopian haven, you can delve into its impressive history – it had its fair share of misfortune thanks to the Great Fire of London and a German bomb in 1941 before ultimately being made into a public park in 1967.
📍St Dunstan’s Hill, EC3R 5DD. Nearest tube stations are Tower Hill and Monument.
4. Experience a Martian Invasion in Victorian London
At Jeff Wayne’s The War of The Worlds: The Immersive Experience science-fiction thrills, multi-platinum music and history collide. You’ll live through an eerie story, experiencing a merciless Martian invasion in Victorian London complete with epic virtual reality battles on stormy seas, goosebump-inducing moments in the unnerving darkness and even a slide down the claw of a Martian Fighting Machine that will bring out your inner child. If you’re fascinated by the Victorian era you’ll be in your element here – everything from the time-warping costumes to the floral wallpapers plays a part in sending you back a few centuries.
📍56 Leadenhall Street, EC3A 2BJ. Nearest tube station is Aldgate.
5. Embark on a goosebump-inducing Jack the Ripper walking tour
History has its fair share of spine-chilling serial killers, but few are more notorious than Jack The Ripper. His reign of terror in Whitechapel and the unsolved mystery surrounding his identity has sent ripples throughout time, with unanswered questions that plague people to this day. If you can’t contain your curiosity any longer then grab tickets to the Jack The Ripper Walking Tour for an hour and 30 minutes exploration of the infamous area where he committed his brutal murders. You’ll learn the chilling secrets of his crimes as you follow an expert guide on this haunting hunt.
📍Tour starts at Tower Hill Underground Station.
6. Journey back to Ancient Egypt at this VR experience
Of course, your time-travelling doesn’t just have to be limited to England. If it’s epic adventures you’re after it doesn’t get much more epic than the Great Pyramids of Giza. At Horizon of Khufu, you can embark on a mind-bending expedition to uncover the many mysteries of Ancient Egypt – no passports required. Just head on over to Westfield Stratford, slip on the VR gear and within seconds you’ll be wandering the thousand-year-old lands, exploring the labyrinthine chambers of the pyramids and even taking a mesmerising journey to the afterlife. Mythology, history and cutting-edge technology have been combined to give you an enlightening and wondrous experience.
📍Westfield Stratford City Mall, 1 The Street, Ground Floor. Nearest station is Stratford.
7. Enjoy history before your hangover on this historic pub tour
Take a pub crawl, add a heft glug of history, mix it up with some leg-stretching walks and you’ve got the Historic Pub Walking Tour. The four-hour journey takes you to four historic pubs from Trafalgar Square to Shaftesbury Avenue. You’ll get to sip local beverages in the favourite haunts of famous figures such as Charles Dickens, soak up some knowledge about London landmarks and even explore a few secret streets that are practically drenched in history.
📍Starts at Longridge Mansion, Warwick Road, SW5 9TB.
8. Admire the historic splendour of The Painted Hall
Architecture, art, mythology and more can be found at the Old Royal Naval College. History is found in every brushstroke and architectural feature of this striking centuries-old building, making for a spellbinding journey through time.
Feast your eyes on the Elysian fresco that adorns The Painted Hall’s ceiling, featuring everything from mighty gods and goddesses to regal monarchs and rosy-cheeked cherubs. While there you can learn all about Sir James Thornhill’s fascinating masterpiece with an enlightening audio guide. Plus, you can take a peek in the hall’s treasure chest and enjoy replica artefacts such as the shattered sword of King Louis XIV.
📍Greenwich, SE10 9NN. Nearest station is North Greenwich.
9. Take a wander through Leadenhall Market
If you’re saving your pennies and happy to simply sit with a coffee and admire a piece of architectural history then you might want to head over to Leadenhall Market – though your pennies might soon disappear once you breathe in the aromas of the many tempting eateries there.
The striking Grade II-listed building dates back to the 14th century and is one of the oldest markets in London, complete with cobbled walkways, golden detailing and an ornate roof, you could easily while away the day taking in its intricate and storied architecture. Potterheads will also recognise it from the film ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’, so there’s a little bit of cinematic history there to enjoy as well.
📍Gracechurch St, London EC3V 1LT. Nearest station is Monument.
10. Round up the family to learn all about the ‘Rotten Romans’
Horrible Histories, which started life as Terry Deary’s illustrated books and went on to become a popular historic sketch show, was the main source of historical information for many of us in our childhood. Now, you can get a hefty dose of nostalgia and treat the kids to a trip to the British Museum to explore the ‘Rotten Romans’ exhibition.
The museum has partnered with Horrible Histories and created a family-friendly trail led by the show’s host Rattus Rattus. Open until June 23, you’ll learn all about the trials the Roman soldiers faced with stories of real legionaries, interactive elements and over 200 fascinating objects.
📍Great Russell St, WC1B 3DG. Nearest tube station is Tottenham Court Road.
11. See London through Charles Dicken’s eyes
A literary lover with great expectations for a historic day out? Our Charles Dickens tour of London will be just the thing. The city is the setting for many of his novels and a character in and of itself, but while Dickens’ London as he knows it exists only in the pages of his books, some locations remain. You can walk in his footsteps and remember his works as you visit places such as The Old Curiosity Shop, which, while unproven, is said to have been the inspiration for his novel of the same name, Seven Dials (once a notorious slum) and the Victorian pub ‘Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese’ where it is claimed he had a tipple or two.
📍Various locations.
12. Catch a show at the Globe Theatre
The Globe Theatre, famous for its association with William Shakespeare, has lived a few lives. Its first iteration was built in Southwark in 1599 by Shakespeare’s playing company (The Lord Chamberlain’s Men), before being destroyed by a fire in 1613 then rebuilt on the same site a year later, it lasted a few decades before it was shut down by the Puritans during the First English Civil War.
The circular Shakespeare’s Globe we know and see today was built in 1997 as an ode to the Elizabethan playhouse, opening with a production of Henry V. While Shakespeare never actually stepped foot in this particular theatre, his plays still unfold on the striking stage in various reincarnations as well as a selection of new productions. If you’re more interested in the theatre itself, there are guided tours shedding light on the 400-year-old history of this storied piece of architecture and the iconic literary figure who inspired it.
📍21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, SE1 9DT. Nearest tube station is Blackfriars.
13. Venture outside the city to Blenheim Palace
If you fancy popping the bubble of London and venturing further afield to get your history fix then take a look at Blenheim Palace. Dating back to the 1700s, the regal country house has history oozing from every curtain tassel, gilded swirl and perfectly manicured blades of grass. It’s a bit of a journey, found just under three hours from the city, so you might want to make it a weekend trip. But there’s plenty to do and see – including an Immersive Storytelling Adventure with live actors to give you insight into the four influential figures who shaped the destiny of Blenheim.
📍Woodstock OX20 1PS.