Under Cover England

Under Cover England Matt Ware, Blue Badge & City of London qualified guide,Police officer & ex farmer; guiding undercover

The early morning tours of the Cityโ€™s historic Smithfield Market usually take place monthly on a Thursday or Friday at 6.30am. This early start should not put anyone off - this is a really unusual experience for anyone interested in history, food and Victorian architecture. As if that wasnโ€™t tempting enough, the tour provides a perfect opportunity to experience the hustle and bustle of the City of

Londonโ€™s last surviving market at first hand and in full flow. It focuses on the workings of the famous meat market but will also cover:

The fabric of the market, which has evolved over a thousand years

The long and turbulent history of Smithfield

The growth of the notorious cattle market

The gaiety of Bartholomew Fair

Duration: 90 minutes

Price: ยฃ15+ Eventbrite Booking fee

Where: Street level entrance to the Barbican Underground Station

Book: via Eventbrite

If you have any questions about the tour please email us at [email protected]. And if you want to learn more about Smithfield's bloody past, why not go on our popular 'Dark Side of the City' tour, which take place on Friday mornings. Photos: courtesy of Niki Gorick
Please note: children must be accompanied by an adult at all times

06/06/2026

One of those unique, wish-list tours for car enthusiasts , to the for a tour around the factory at Malvern in Worcestershire.

02/06/2026

A gloriously sunny week for guided tours completed for as we excitedly countdown to start and the excitement for ๐ŸŽพ. Such a great place to guide. lawntennis

25/05/2026

The on the hottest May day recorded, at 32c /90f with the brilliant band and . ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง

23/05/2026

Beautiful May day 82f / 28c with wall to wall sunshine for a glorious guided walk from to along the , with a lovely lunch .old.fox.bricketwood .

19/05/2026

1536 the ex*****on of took place at the . Anne was second wife to and mother of Elizabeth1 . Her body lies alongside fellow executed queens, CatherineHoward 1542 and 1554, and hundreds of other executed bodies, in the adjacent stpeteradvincula chapel. The ex*****on memorial by Brian Catling says: โ€˜Gentle visitor pause a while: where you stand death cut away the light of many days: where jewelled names were broken from the vivid thread of life: may they rest in peace while we walk the generations around their strife and courage: under these restless skiesโ€™. Hear the full and dramatic stories with a bluebadgeguides . secretlondon undercoverlondon towerexecutฤฑons henry8wives six

22/04/2026

Thank you Angela , never been called โ€œurbaneโ€ before (had to check it was good before posting here!). ๐ŸŽพ tours are so lovely as the guests are so enthusiastic and happy to be there - and generally pretty .

22/04/2026

So improvised to avoid the today, on foot, by boat, by train and by bus; but I thought I had the unique idea of commuting by bike โ€ฆ.. looks like I wasnโ€™t the only one to do so ! The glorious sunshine meant everyone seemed in good spirits and united in adversity.

13/02/2026

What an amazing achievement by , completing the gruelling 142 miles from to London, like a modern day , raising awareness of pressures on and his amazing charity that helps Herefordian rural business people , including my dad, through good times and bad. Sam is also raising funds for the next generation , another organisation close to my heart, as ex Dilwyn YFC Club and Chair . Congratulations Sam ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘
Please donate here : https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/fundraising/sam-stables-mission

09/02/2026

A wonderful tour of ancient with fellow guides to increase our knowledge of the great civilisation, including the priceless artefacts in the . .kalmus

09/02/2026

A wonderful tour of ancient with fellow guides to increase our knowledge of the great civilisation, including the ancient , or focal meeting point of trade, discussion, democracy and religion in the market , Temple of Hephaestus, and ; followed by the Roman Market, Hadrians library and The Tower of the Winds . .kalmus

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