walking in the steps of Londoners from 1257 to present day
18 members had a reallly great day out beautifully organised by Martyn
3 great churches with knowledgeable and amusing guides
And we found out why London snug is called a snug. It is a small space in which we had to 'snuggle' together for space to eat lunch. All great fun
Outbound - Temple station is on the District line
Home: Approx. 3pm after our tour of St Bartholomew the Great, via the most convenient tube station - some, like Martin, back down Shoe Lane to Middle Temple Lane and Temple underground.
From Temple station we traverse to The Honourable Society of Middle Temple and on to Temple Church where we will be met at 10am by Colin - our guide.
From Temple Church we pass down Fleet Street - the once centre of journalism, to our next port of call - St Bride’s Church - with its journalistic connections and Wren designed tower - being the template for the traditional wedding cake - where we will meet up with Robin, our guide.
On Leaving St Bride’s we cross over Fleet Street and pass by the side of Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese up Wine Office Court and via Gunpowder Square and Printer Street to Thavies Inn and cross over Holborn Viaduct and Charterhouse Street into Ely Place. If there is time, we can pop into St Etheldreda's RC Church for a brief glimpse of its magnificent stained glass windows, otherwise we go straight to Ely Court - a virtually unnoticed alleyway where we come to our hidden lunch appointment - Ye Olde Mitre, dating from 1546.
After lunch, we stroll across to our final venue in Cloth Fair - St Bartholomew the Great - a Saxon church undamaged by the Great Fire of London and the City's oldest church - where we will be met by Gordon - our guide
Ye Olde Mitre dating from 1546 - where we have reserved a private section of the main saloon bar. Lunch takes the form of toasties and pies, for which it is noted, the establishment being too small for a proper kitchen.
COSTS City churches expect visitors to contribute a modest payment such as £5 each but in the case of St Bartholomew the Great where we will enjoy a fuller detailed account, the fee is £10 per head, payable in advance, for which Martin will be required to provide the total number of attendees.
Please contact Martin by phone or email, as above, to let him know you’ll be coming.