Description
From the Dictionary
Courtyard
(kour) s. f.
Enclosed space surrounded by walls, open to the sky, forming part of a dwelling and its outbuildings.
Crypt
(kri-pt’) s. f.
Underground vault serving as a burial place beneath certain churches.
Custom
(kou-tu-m’) s. f.
Manner to which most conform. Ordinary way of acting, of conducting oneself.
Vault
(ko-fr’) s. m.
A Vault in which money is kept; also the money itself, the funds, the fortune.
Courtyard · Crypt · Custom · Vault — Four capital letters, four doorways into a London you never suspected existed.
Hidden courtyards tucked away from prying eyes, crypts, strange customs perpetuated for centuries, vaults shielded from all eyes — this tour is an invitation to step off the beaten track and discover London at its most secret.
You will follow in the historical footsteps of Templars, monks and certain remarkable figures from the kingdom’s history — including a polygamous king. Civilisations layered one upon another, stratum by stratum, forming an urban palimpsest where every street conceals a secret, every courtyard tells a story, every basement hides a treasure.
If you love History, if you enjoy discovering and learning whilst having fun, if you appreciate anecdotes, historical characters and places out of the ordinary — this tour is for you.
Highlights
Hidden private courtyards
Behind the impersonal main streets lie Victorian, Georgian and medieval buildings that only the initiated ever find. Secret gardens, private courts, narrow lanes.
The Knights Templar
London was one of the Templars’ most important European strongholds. Their traces — architectural, legal and symbolic — are still visible today for those who know where to look.
Centuries-old customs
Some London traditions date back over 700 years and are still faithfully observed. Behind the ritual, fascinating stories of power, justice and memory.
The city beneath the city
London has been rebuilt dozens of times on top of itself. Under your feet lie Roman roads, medieval cellars and Victorian tunnels — a buried world.
Practical information
Meeting point
Temple station
District & Circle lines
Victoria Embankment exit
Victoria Embankment exit
Duration
2h30 to 3h
Depending on the group’s pace and curiosity
Language
French
Certified guide, Green Badge, City of London Guide, Clerkenwell & Islington guide
Group size
1 to 20 people
Shared or private tour, your choice
Prices
£30/person or £230 flat rate
See price table below
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible
Route adaptable on request
Please note
- Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
- Tours go ahead in all weathers — please dress accordingly.
- Each participant is responsible for their own safety, particularly when crossing roads.
- This tour is recommended and accessible for young children.
Times & Prices
Start time to suit you for any private tour booking (subject to availability).
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| Shared tour Join a group of French-speaking visitors | £30 / person |
| Private tour — 1 to 20 people The tour entirely for your group, at your own pace | £230 flat rate |
Duration: 2h30 to 3h
Not included
Photos
Reviews
★★★★★
“An essential experience! A mix of diamonds, Dickens, a safe, silverware, lawyers, courts of justice, 3 dates to remember, important weddings, and Etheldreda. A random list? Absolutely not! Everything is connected and will seem much clearer after spending a few hours with Anthony. Tour in French for our group aged 27 to 80, without noticing the time go by… thank you a thousand times for your knowledge, your passion and your generosity. You will be our London reference.
★★★★★
“Fabulous. Excellent tour with our guide! Passionate and fascinating, we discovered the secrets of London! Well, some of them! We can’t wait to come back and call on you for a future visit! A huge thank you!
★★★★★
“An incredible guide, who takes us to hidden places and transports us through history throughout the tour. A passionate and captivating guide. Thank you 🙏
★★★★★
“Thank you Anthony for taking the time to show us superb historical sites with a wealth of historical knowledge. We rediscovered the history of London through countless anecdotes. My 16-year-old teenager loved it. You go off the beaten track. Thank you.
★★★★★
“We were a family of 6 adults, a teenager and a baby, and we had an incredible moment of discovery and sharing with our guide who brilliantly combined humour and teaching to take us into history-filled places. The highlight is his obvious passion for this city and its history. This guided tour was a true joy that we all decided to place at the top of our best memories of our 4 days in London. I really recommend calling on him if you want to discover London and some of its hidden gems off the beaten track.
★★★★★
“We enjoyed a tour of hidden London and it was simply bril-liant! We are curious by nature and we were well served: history, anecdotes, the spectacular hidden from everyone’s eyes! The tour was superb, well prepared and interesting from start to finish! We warmly recommend Anthony, who on top of being incredibly knowledgeable and interesting, is super friendly and smiley! We loved it, and if we return to London, we will definitely book one of his other tours!
