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Guildhall
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Guildhall

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Guildhall
4.5
161 reviews
#189 of 2,593 things to do in London
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
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10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
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Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Tours & experiences
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: City of London
From its ancient past as a Roman trading outpost to its 21st century status as the wealthiest square mile in the world, the financial district known simply as “The City” is one of London's most historic and fascinating neighborhoods. Here high rise office towers such as Norman Foster’s Gherkin mingle with Roman ruins and architectural marvels from virtually every era in between, including Christopher Wren's glorious St.Paul's Cathedral, and John Soane's dauntingly classicist Bank of England. This neighborhood is also home to some of the finest restaurants and plushest hotels in Europe, in addition to an assortment of watering holes, upscale shops, and Tube stations. During the week, the City is abuzz with white collar workers going about their business; the weekend sees this area turn into a quiet haven for sightseers.
How to get there
  • Moorgate • 5 min walk
  • Bank • 5 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
9,749 within 3 miles
The India - Best of the City
374
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Indian • Asian • Vegetarian Friendly
Gordon Ramsay Street Pizza - St Paul's
887
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Bar • Pizza
Rucoletta
705
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Vegetarian Friendly
Goodman City
758
0.1 mi$$$$ • Steakhouse • British • Gluten Free Options
Hispania London
588
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • European • Spanish
Brigadiers
393
0.2 mi$$$$ • Indian • Asian • Contemporary
Bread Street Kitchen & Bar - St Paul's
3,409
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • European • British • Vegetarian Friendly
Hawksmoor Guildhall
1,169
259 ft$$$$ • Steakhouse • Seafood • British
Burger & Lobster Bread Street
1,310
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Seafood • Contemporary
Angler
1,216
0.3 mi$$$$ • Seafood • European • British
See all
Attractions
2,229 within 6 miles
Guildhall Art Gallery
447
174 ftArt Galleries • Art Museums
Guildhall Art Gallery
2
194 ftArt Galleries
London's Roman Amphitheatre
68
248 ftHistoric Sites • Ancient Ruins
St. Lawrence Jewry
30
204 ftChurches & Cathedrals
St Mary Aldermanbury Garden
7
450 ftGardens
Cart Marking
2
325 ftSpeciality Museums
Guildhall Library
8
297 ftLibraries
City Business Library
2
275 ftLibraries
St Alphage Garden with ruins of St Alphage Church
10
0.1 miHistoric Sites • Ancient Ruins
Bank of England Museum
817
0.2 miSpeciality Museums
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
161 reviews
Excellent
94
Very good
59
Average
8
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Kbrewis1
Banstead, UK30 contributions
“Borealis” in the courtyard is a must see, magical experience
Dec 2021 • Family
We were lucky enough to secure free tickets to the art installation “Borealis” that’s held in the Guildhall courtyard. It was amazing - the architecture of Guildhall gives an amazing and gothic backdrop to this amazing display. It’s so clever using lasers and what I think was a water mist to create fluttering, dancing colours that mimic the true Aurora Borealis. Playing in the background is hauntingly beautiful classical music giving the whole experience an ethereal feel and making you feel as if magic is in the air. COVID precautions were in place and the courtyard was never too busy to feel crowded. The attendants were very polite, friendly and helpful ushering everyone in safely and quickly. There were limited deckchairs which we were lucky enough to get which made it much easier to sit and relax and fully enjoy the experience. Fantastic and mesmerising art! Thank you
Written December 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Retired_Gentleman
Southampton, UK266 contributions
The Lord Mayor’s Show
Aug 2019
The Guildhall is a Grade I listed building, built in 1440; it is the town hall of the City of London. Standing in the central square, the facade before you is imposing and beautiful. The Guildhall has its own art gallery which, although not large, has some interesting paintings, the most impressive of which is the large canvas dominating the stairway - ‘The Defeat of the Floating Batteries at Gibraltar’. In the basement of the art gallery are the remains of a Roman amphitheatre, which once occupied the site. Incidentally, close to the Guildhall, on Noble Street, are the remains of the wall of a Roman fort. But for me the highlight of my visit was the Great Hall, laid out when I was there with circular tables and chairs for a dinner or perhaps the Lord Mayor’s Banquet. This vast hall, with its chandeliers and stained glass windows, is home to some wonderful sculptures and has an imposing air of dignity and reverence.
Written June 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jack R
Exeter, UK551 contributions
Splendid building
Feb 2020
We discovered this almost by accident, but very glad that we did. There are the remains of a Roman Amphitheatre in the basement - fascinating - and a really interesting Victorian art collection, including Rosetti and Millais. Well recommended.
Written March 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TRBUK
Bristol, UK531 contributions
Disappointing
Mar 2022 • Business
I was there for s luncheon and the layout of the room meant that every time the staff moved they had no option but to shove your seat. Add to this the fact that the staff have zero idea which side to serve bread and you start to get the fell of the level of incompetence.

Food was pretty good though, so fair play to the kitchen.

The most ludicrous thing was the fact that after the Champagne reception you couldn't take your drink into lunch. So much for saving the planet!
Written March 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Aaron L
38 contributions
For an American, likely an unheard of "gem" that shouldn't be missed
Jul 2018 • Couples
This is really a special place. You can feel the history that took place in that building oozing into your skin, lol. I had not even heard of the Guildhall but our black cab tour operator driver took us there and it was fantastic. Seeing the remnants of the Roman amphitheater in the foundation levels of the gallery next door was the icing on the cake.
Written July 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Colona1988
Conway, MA363 contributions
Gog and Magog plus a Roman Amphitheater
Jan 2019 • Friends
There isn't a lot at the Guildhall, yet I'm very glad I visited. First of all, it's in the City which is the oldest part of London. The area is filled with financial buildings and guild buildings. The area of the Guildhall itself was bombed out during WWII, but the hall itself was carefully rebuilt. That's where the statues of the giants Gog and Magog look down at you. Underneath the Art Museum are remnants of a Roman amphitheater. If you are interested in the Romans or the guilds and rise of trade, this area is worth a visit.
Written January 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nick W
Edinburgh, UK54 contributions
A hidden gem in the City
Jul 2017 • Solo
The Guildhall itself (the hall) is open to the public for free when not in use. You will not need more than 30 minutes tops to do it justice as it is just a single medieval all. There is no guide and it is not particularly well signed - it is what it is. Contains some monuments to famous Englishmen (Pitt the Younger and Elder, Nelson, Churchill) and the "official" city measures of an Imperial Foot and Yard. Perhaps most interesting are the two statues of the mythical giants, Gog and Magog, that overlook the entrance from the gallery above - they are references to the purely mythical formation of London by refugees from Troy.

The courtyard outside the hall is a lovely setting, the linked modern architecture less so. The curved black paving in the courtyard marks out the walls of the Roman Colosseum that was located on this same site.

The free Guildhall Art Gallery on the right hand side of the Guildhall's courtyard is highly recommended for a combined visit, not only for the art collection of old scenes of London, but the basement that contains the ruined walls of the Colosseum itself together with a small historical museum explaining the whole site.
Written July 31, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
retireeVancouver
Vancouver, Canada1,739 contributions
Need a tour to appreciate the inside of the guildhall banquet room
Jun 2014 • Couples
On a late Sunday afternoon, we were the only visitors to the guildhall. The security officer, taking an interest in my question as to where I could find Gog and Magog, took my hubby and me on a personal tour of the guildhall banquet room pointing out all its historical facts and "behind the scenes" stories. I was just amazed with his knowledge of this building and very thankful for his time in showing us around. I saw the large straw statues of these 2 giants that are used in the mayor's parade as well as the stationary pair in the banquet room. The "guide" pointed out the names of mayors on the chevrons of the windows. Each year when a new mayor is chosen by the businessmen to represent the area - this year it was a lady - , his/her name gets placed on the window. They haven't run out of window space yet! He then directed our attention to the medieval shields of guilds like those for bakers, blacksmiths, leather workers, etc. Also noticeable were the large memorials around the sides of the room to Wellington, Nelson, and William Pitt. In the past - the 1500's-, this hall had been used as a courtroom. Names of people like Lady Jane Grey who were tried and executed for treason appeared on a plaque. Today, the hall is used for special occasions as a dining hall. The guide was obviously proud of how the hall looked for such occasions with long tables set with white cloths, flowers, silver, china, and crystal glasses. We were told to look for the open palm sign over the door on a building across from the square which was a sign to indicate its use as a courtroom. We were also directed to look for shoe scrappers by the outside door which were used to take mud off shoes from the roads before entering a building. Along side that building was an original lamp stand from the 1800's. Then, he pointed out the significance of the dark semi-circular bricks on the square outside that were used to outline the circumference of the Roman amphitheater. Without this guided tour, our visit would not have been so memorable. As we left this area, we could see the contrast between the old medieval guildhall and the surrounding modern office buildings. This part of London, The City, holds many surprises, and the Guildhall Banquet Hall was one of them. Save about 30 minutes to have a look around here after/before a visit to the London Museum which is very close by.
Written August 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Stephen c
London, UK73 contributions
if you are not tired of life
May 2013 • Solo
If you are interested in the history of the City of London then you will really enjoy a trip to Guildhall.

The City is proud of its heritage and independance which requires the reigning monarch to seek permission to enter it and even refers to William The Conqueror as William 1 because he never actually conquered the City.

Originally built in the 1400s and substantially rebuilt following the Great Fire of London in 1666 and the Blitz in 1940, there is still plenty of medieval architecture to see and even parts of the Roman Amphitheatre remain on shown in the basement.

Guildhall's many rooms are decorated with emblems of the 100 or so Guilds(trades) practised in the City (The Mercers are the most famous) as are the stainedglass windows together with details of the 700 or so Lord Mayors of the City of London since 1189 (as distinct from the separately governed boroughs of London now led by London Mayor Boris Johnson in City Hall).

The Lord Mayor is elected for only one year and there has only been one female Lord Mayor, in 1983.

There are plenty of memorial statutes on display and tributes to many of those who have made London great.

I particularly enjoyed the extensive display of paintings of memorable events in the City's past.

Guildhall is divided up into several different halls but the Great Hall is where the Court of Common Council meet to decide City of London policy and these meetings are open to the public.

Entry to all this is completely free and I believe on Fridays a free guided tour is also available.

So if like Samuel Johnson you are never tired of London, then like me you will just love a visit to Guildhall.
Written May 16, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
gingko2
Bury St. Edmunds, UK329 contributions
British Legion Christmas carol concert and dinner
Dec 2012 • Couples
Excellent concert with readings by various celebrities. Formal dinner in Guildhall. Very noisy. The event commenced with a champagne reception followed by carol concert with the Bach Choir in the historic setting of the main hall. After the concert dinner was served.
This was a memorable occasion and good fund raiser for the British Military.
Written December 30, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Guildhall (London) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Guildhall
Guildhall is open:
  • Sun - Sun 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Mon - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Guildhall tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 30 Guildhall tours on Tripadvisor