Walk on the dramatic and farcical events of 16 October 1834 when the medieval Houses of Parliament burnt down.

Everyone’s heard about The Great Fire of London of 1666, but whoever’s heard about that epic blaze which tore through the Houses of Parliament in 1834?!

The day before the anniversary of the event, I bring you the story of that grim night, as we walk around the streets and on the bridge where thousands had gawped in horror and awe. I show how the fire was fought, the reaction of statesmen, how it was reflected in the press and the art it inspired includng by Turner. It was an event marked equally by farce as by acts of heroism amongst the chaos, right on the cusp of the Victorian age; and it led to the world famous iconic Houses of Parliament we know so well today.

This tour will make a nice pair with “The Dreadful Bow of Flame: The Great Fire of London” tour which I will do at the beginning of the previous month.

Come and hear the greatest fire story hardly ever told!

The meeting place is Westminster tube, Bridge Street, outside exit 4, with Big Ben right across the road opposite.