The medieval Guildhall was originally built during the reigns of Henry IV and V (roughly around the time of Dick Whittington), and its Great Hall is one of the few buildings in the City of London that survived the Great Fire of London.
This tour will take you into the Great Hall itself (it really is a beautiful room), where a guide will describe the characters in the statues and paintings. Some of the greatest names from British history are on display there, from Admiral Nelson and the Duke of Wellington to Prime Minister Pitt and Sir Winston Churchill. You'll also see the mythical protectors of London - Gog and Magog - staring down from the balcony.
But what really makes this tour interesting is what happens afterwards, because they hold it on the same day as the City of London's Common Council meeting. This is the monthly meeting between the Aldermen and the Lord Mayor, who parades in from the back to discuss issues affecting the City. (They only oversee the City of London, the so-called Square Mile -- Greater London as a whole is run by the Mayor of London.)
As long as you don't mind waiting around for an hour after the tour has finished then you can sit inside the Great Hall and watch the Common Council for free.
Craig has been to both of these events and he definitely recommends them. It's worth giving it a try simply to see inside the Great Hall, which is easily one of the most beautiful rooms in London. And whilst you're there it would be a shame not to go and see the remains of London's Roman amphitheatre in the basement of the Guildhall Art Gallery next door.
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