A PRIVATE GUIDED VISIT TO THE WATERMEN’S LIVERY HALL – with Lits

Watermen’s Hall on St Mary-at-Hill lays claim to being the only remaining Georgian original livery hall in the City and a splendid example of domestic architecture of the period.

Not open for individual visits, I have organised this special tour to learn more about the fascinating history and role of the Watermen (ferrying river passengers to work) and Lightermen (ferrying cargo) across and along the river Thames.

There has always been a need to convey passengers and carry goods across or up and down the Thames – there was only one bridge up until the mid-eighteenth century and the roads of medieval London were in a poor state.

There were once Watermen’s Stairs, where passengers might get picked up or dropped off. Just as London taxi drivers today learn the Knowledge, Watermen once knew the names and order of the hundreds of stairs that lined the banks of the Thames, of which only a handful survive today.

The court and the nobles often built their palaces and houses besides the Thames, so water borne transport was of great importance. The nobility, the Church and most of the London Guilds had their official barges, manned in colourful regalia by Thames Watermen.

The Sovereign still retains 24 Royal Watermen under the command of The Queen's Bargemaster, thereby continuing one of the most ancient appointments in the Royal Household although their duties are now purely ceremonial.

So let us enter this hallowed Hall and discover the secrets of this lesser known livery for ourselves………

There will also be an opportunity afterwards to walk a short distance and take lunch together in a characterful café (details to follow).

Cost: £23.50pp - places are limited to 15 people

Includes tour, guides and MeetUp fees

Please contact me directly after RSVP to receive payment details (payment is in advance only).

Lits: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 07710 217902