In 1666, London went up in smoke. Today, we went up in steps. With a comfy pair of shoes, a historical appetite and a deep love of wandering into the past, we followed the path of the Great Fire of London, from its smoky beginnings in a baker’s shop on Pudding Lane to the phoenix-rising glory of St Paul’s Cathedral.
We’ve built this walking tour to take in some of the most fascinating (and flame-touched) spots along the way, with plenty of chances to stop, snap, snack and (if you fancy) step inside some historic attractions too.
Expect big facts, side streets and maybe a pastry or two, in tribute, of course.
Quick-fire (sorry) facts: what was the Great Fire of London?
Before we set off, for those of you who didn’t grow up singing cheerful nursery rhymes like London’s Burning, here’s your fiery primer:
- The Great Fire started on 2 September 1666 in Thomas Farriner’s bakery on Pudding Lane.
- It raged for four days, destroying over 13,000 houses, 86 churches, and St Paul’s Cathedral – that made up about 80% of the city at the time!
- Shockingly, there were only six officially recorded deaths, though the real number was likely a bit higher.
- The fire reshaped the city and its impact can still be seen in society today. It’s the reason we have wider streets, brick-and-stone buildings and even the insurance industry.
The Monument to the Great Fire of London.
Starting point: The Monument to the Great Fire of London
Fish Street Hill, EC3R 8AH
- Nearest Tube: Monument Station
- Entry included with The London Pass®
Start here, beneath a column that’s 202 feet tall and exactly 202 feet from where the fire began. Coincidence? Nope. Sir Christopher Wren designed The Monument as a precise marker as well as a memorial.
Top tip: climb the 311 steps for panoramic views of London (and a commemorative certificate, which feels gloriously Year 6 school trip).
Stop 2: Pudding Lane, where it all began
Just behind the East-facing side of Monument Square
- Walk eastward from Monument Square, through the gap in the buildings.
- Free to enter (it's on the street)
There’s not a lot to see here today except a plaque, a street sign and perhaps a slightly nervous-looking café. But this is sacred scorched earth, where the fire first sparked inside Farriner’s bakery.
Did you know? The wind carried the flames east-to-west, which is why the rest of your walk heads west toward the devastation.
Where it all began, Pudding Lane.
Stop 3: St Magnus the Martyr Church
Lower Thames Street, EC3R 6DN
- Head south down Pudding Lane and cross the road (safely at a crossing!)
- Free to enter
This charming church stood right by London Bridge, and its original medieval version was completely destroyed in the fire. Rebuilt by – you guessed it – Christopher Wren, it’s a lesser-known gem with some lovely stained glass and a model of Old London Bridge inside.
Pop your head in, light a candle, reflect on the chaos.
Stop 4: Guildhall Yard & the Guildhall Art Gallery
Gresham Street, EC2V 5AE
- About a 15-minute walk. Head west along Upper Thames Street, then north up Queen Street into King Street.
- Entry included with The London Pass®
Make your way north a few blocks and step into the old heart of London government. The Guildhall survived the fire – but only just.
Even better? There’s a Roman Amphitheatre hidden in the basement of the Guildhall Art Gallery, it’s a double whammy of ancient and early modern history.
St Magnus the Martyr Church
Stop 5: St Mary-le-Bow Church
Cheapside, EC2V 6AU
- About a 6 minute walk back down King Street and up Cheaspside.
- Free to enter
Bow Bells? As in, Cockney rhyming slang? Yep, those very ones. This historic church was also gutted by the Great Fire and rebuilt by, you guessed it, Christopher Wren. It’s free to pop in, and the crypt café is a good place for a pit stop if you’ve walked up an appetite.
Fun fact: to be a true Cockney, you’re meant to be born within earshot of Bow Bells. Good luck achieving that now.
Final Stop: St Paul’s Cathedral
St Paul’s Churchyard, EC4M 8AD
- 5-minute walk, continuing up Cheapside.
- Entry included with The London Pass®
No Great Fire walk is complete without ending at St Paul’s. The original medieval cathedral was consumed by flames, leaving only ashes and heartbreak. What rose from those ashes is this Baroque masterpiece, again courtesy of Sir Christopher Wren.
Don’t miss the Whispering Gallery, the dome views, or the crypt (where Wren himself is buried beneath a stone that reads: If you seek his monument, look around you.)
Check out our full guide to visiting St Paul’s for more information.
St Paul's Cathedral
Suggested route overview
Total walking time: around 45 – 60 minutes (longer with stops)
Route: Monument → Pudding Lane → St Magnus → Guildhall → Bow Church → St Paul’s
Use your fave maps app to get to each location or go old school and follow the street signs; most of these top spots are well sign-posted.
Optional extras
- Leadenhall Market (free) – admittedly, not Great Fire-related, but very pretty and right nearby.
Gracechurch St, London EC3V 1LT (Around 17 minutes from St Pauls)
- The Golden Boy of Pye Corner – marks where the fire stopped, on one side at least, in Smithfield. (A little detour north from St Paul’s but worth it for a quirky photo and to say you walked the length of the whole fire!)
Giltspur St, London EC1A 9DD (Around 7 minutes from St Pauls)
Leadenhall Market
From Pudding Lane to Pie Corner (you really couldn’t make it up)
This walk really brings home how much of London’s DNA was reshaped in those four fiery days. You’ll tread cobbles that burned, glimpse buildings that rose from ruin and stand in awe of how the city recovered.
Whether you’re climbing The Monument, wandering into Wren’s churches or just snapping a selfie on Pudding Lane, this is one walk that’s lit in every sense of the word.
Enjoyed this?
Find out what's hidden in the St Paul's crypt or check out our guide to St Paul's blockbuster movie moments.
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