Guildhall
Off Gresham Street, London EC1

Guildhall has been the City's administrative centre for more than 800 years. Its stunning Great Hall, and the largest medieval crypt in London, date back to 1411. The Lord Mayor and Sheriffs are elected here and it is the centre of many traditional ceremonies. 

For centuries Guildhall was also used for major trials.  Many people were condemned to death here including Lady Jane Grey and Archbishop Cranmer in 1553 and Henry Garnet, one of the conspirators in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. 

Only the walls of the Great Hall, crypt and porch survive from the medieval building, which was gutted in the Great Fire of London and again in World War II.  Restoration after the Blitz was completed to the designs of Sir Giles Gilbert Scott in 1954. 

In 1973 the west end of the Guildhall was remodelled and the west crypt restored, the west wing was completed in 1974. 

In places the stonework of the restored Great Hall still bears traces of paint and gilding, indicating that it was once brightly decorated.  The room is decorated with the shields and banners of the 100 Livery Companies, or guilds. Its windows record the names of every Lord Mayor of London since 1189. There are also monuments to such famous people as Wellington, Nelson, the two Pitts and Churchill. 

Guarding the West Gallery are the two statues of the legendary giants Gog and Magog.  These statues are post-war replacements for originals destroyed during the Blitz.  The phoenix on Magog's shield symbolises renewal after fire. 

Once a month the Lord Mayor presides over a meeting of the Court of Common Council, the governing body for the Corporation of London.  Visitors can attend this meeting, held every third Thursday, except in August. 

The Great Hall is also used for banquets and ceremonial events. 

On the second Saturday in November the new Lord Mayor travels in a gilded coach from Guildhall to the Royal Courts of Justice in the Strand to swear solemn vows.  The streets of the City are taken over by a great procession of floats, marching bands and street dancers.  The Lord Mayor's Show ends with fireworks from a barge on the Thames between Blackfriars and Waterloo bridges. A few days later the Prime Minister always addresses a banquet at Guildhall.  

Admission free

Opening Times

Open: daily 09:00-17:00, Guided tours by arrangement with the Keeper's Office - Tel: 020 7606 3030 extension 1460