Open House Festival

The Butcher, The Baker and The Candlestick Maker

walk/tour

Guildhall Yard, EC2V 5AE

Trade and craft guilds have flourished for centuries. The City of London’s Livery Companies are unique in their survival, number, and diversity. While the original social and economic conditions that created these original guilds have long been overtaken by modern commerce, these fascinating institutions still flourish today. Join us to explore their enduring history and modern impact.

Getting there

Tube

Bank, Cannon Street, Mansion House, Moorgate

Train

Cannon Street, City Thameslink, Farringdon, Liverpool Street

Bus

133, 21, 25, 141, 26, 76

Additional travel info

Tour end: Dowgate Hill Nearby tube stations: Cannon St, Bank Nearby train stations: Cannon St, Blackfriars

Access

Facilities

Accessibility notes

This is a walking tour, accessible where possible. There are some uneven surfaces and steps during this tour.

What you can expect

The City of London is not busy at the weekends. The environment would be quiet.

Create a free visitor account to book festival tickets

Activities

Sat 19 Sep

Walking tour

10:30–11:30

The Butcher, the Baker & the Candlestick Maker

How to book

Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.

Walking tour

11:30–12:30

The Butcher, the Baker & the Candlestick Maker

How to book

Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.

Walking tour

12:30–13:30

The Butcher, the Baker & the Candlestick Maker

How to book

Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.

Walking tour

13:30–14:30

The Butcher, the Baker & the Candlestick Maker

How to book

Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.

Walking tour

14:30–15:30

The Butcher, the Baker & the Candlestick Maker

How to book

Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.

Sun 20 Sep

Walking tour

10:30–11:30

The Butcher, the Baker & the Candlestick Maker

How to book

Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.

Walking tour

11:30–12:30

The Butcher, the Baker & the Candlestick Maker

How to book

Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.

Walking tour

12:30–13:30

The Butcher, the Baker & the Candlestick Maker

How to book

Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.

Walking tour

13:30–14:30

The Butcher, the Baker & the Candlestick Maker

How to book

Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.

Walking tour

14:30–15:30

The Butcher, the Baker & the Candlestick Maker

How to book

Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.

About

The Butcher, the Baker & the Candlestick Maker

Step into a world of ancient commerce and enduring tradition. While the medieval social and economic conditions that created London’s original craft guilds have long since passed, the City of London livery companies are unique in their survival, number, and diversity, continuing to flourish today.
On this walk, we will explore the fascinating evolution of these trade associations, from the butchers and bakers of the Middle Ages to modern technological guilds. We’ll wind through historic streets to discover their grand architectural halls, rich pageantry, and how they shape the modern City through charity, fellowship, and education.

Dates & Times

The tours will take place on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 2026 at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30. Each tour will last 1h to 1h30m.

About the City of London

The City of London, famously known as the Square Mile, serves as London's premier financial district and a historic heart that has flourished since the Roman foundation. This dense urban landscape offers an exceptionally rich environment shaped by centuries of trade, commerce, and ceremony.
While home to only 8,000 residents, the City transforms on weekdays as it welcomes over half a million workers and attracts 10 million annual visitors. Its boundaries extend from the River Thames in the south to Barbican and Golden Lane in the north, and from Chancery Lane and Temple in the west to Liverpool Street and the Tower of London in the east.

Online presence

www.cityoflondonguides.com

www.facebook.com/LondonCityGuides

www.instagram.com/city_of_london_guides

Nearby

Back to top of page