Pepys Day 2024 guided tours

In September 1666 the Great Fire of London swept through the City. Man-about-town Samuel Pepys witnessed and recorded the events of that extraordinary week.

The fire started at 1.00am on September 2nd and by mid-morning Pepys was writing about it in his diary. The fire was put out on September 6th and we are marking this as Pepys Day.

There is so much more to Samuel Pepys and his Diary than that one fateful week in September. His diary covers just over nine years and the tours, with an official City of London Guide, will include much about him, his life and exploits and the times in which he lived as well as key moments from the Great Fire.

There are two different walk routes, both start from the Monument on Fish Street Hill, both end inside the Mansion House where we will be met by Lord Mayor, Michael Mainelli and the Lady Mayoress and we will all raise a toast to Pepys and his Diary.

Tours will leave at 10 minute intervals starting at 10.00am with the last departure at 10.41 am. Each tour will be lead by an official City of London Guide. Booking is essential.

Walk 1: ‘And So to Bed’ goes eastwards and takes in the area where Pepys and his wife Elizabeth lived. Departs at 10.00. 10.10, 10.20, 10.30 and 10.40

Walk 2: ‘I to Church’ goes northwards taking in many of the places, people and incidents from Pepys’ life. Departs at 10.01, 10.11, 10.21, 10.31 and 10.41

Proceeds will go to the Lord Mayor’s Appeal which supports charity partners focused on mental health; homelessness; and numeracy.