Description
The Guildhall, located in the heart of the City of London, is the historic seat of the City of London Corporation and has served as a centre for municipal government since the Middle Ages. While the iconic Great Hall itself is a working ceremonial venue often closed for private events, it remains a pillar of London’s history, famously surviving both the Great Fire of 1666 and the Blitz. For families, it serves as a gateway to exploring the capital's deep civic roots alongside the more accessible Guildhall Art Gallery and London’s Roman Amphitheatre located within the same complex.
Access to the Great Hall is limited and typically restricted to specific guided tours or designated open days. However, the surrounding Guildhall Yard and the connected Art Gallery provide a rich, historical day out that offers excellent value for families looking for free things to do in the City of London.
If you are planning an educational day out, this site provides a rare, tangible link to London’s medieval past. While you may not be able to walk into the Great Hall on a whim, the wider site offers an immersive, low-cost experience that helps children visualise how the City has governed itself for centuries.
Features
- Paid
- Host birthday parties: No
Features
Top Features
- Medieval Origins: The current building dates back to 1411, making it one of the few secular stone structures from pre-1666 London still standing.
- Ceremonial Heart: The Great Hall is the venue for major state events, including the Lord Mayor's Banquet and historic state trials.
- Cathedral-like Ambience: The Hall features a soaring 27-metre high ceiling and Gothic stained-glass windows emblazoned with the names of past Lord Mayors.
- Historic Monuments: The interior houses significant memorials to national figures, including Admiral Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, and Sir Winston Churchill.
- Hidden History: The site sits directly atop the London Roman Amphitheatre, which remains preserved in the basement levels.
Highlights
- The Great Hall: When open for tours, this vast space is the highlight of the complex. It is the third-largest civic hall in England and features impressive timber roofs and medieval architecture that children studying the Tudors or Stuarts will find fascinating.
- London’s Roman Amphitheatre: Located in the basement of the Art Gallery, this scheduled ancient monument is a must-see for families. You can see the actual stone remains of the arena where Romans gathered for games and public events nearly 2,000 years ago.
- Guildhall Art Gallery: Connected to the main complex, this gallery houses a collection of over 4,000 works of art. It is open to the public daily and provides a quiet, accessible space to explore the cultural side of the City.
- St Lawrence Jewry: Located right in the Guildhall Yard, this church was redesigned by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire. It serves as the official church of the Lord Mayor of London and is an excellent example of post-fire architecture.
- The Guildhall Yard: The open-air courtyard is a great spot to view the exterior architecture of the Guildhall. Look out for the black circle on the paving, which marks the outline of the Roman amphitheatre arena below.
Beyond the Main Attraction: Because the Guildhall is situated in the centre of the City, you are within walking distance of several other major sites. A 5-minute walk leads to St Paul’s Cathedral, or you can head towards Bank to see the Bank of England Museum. It is a fantastic area to build a "historical scavenger hunt" itinerary for older kids who enjoy walking through London’s old financial district.
0.04 miles
