Explore the intertwined history of Southwark and the City of London, from governance to the thriving hop trade, iconic taverns, and medicinal herbs, on our revealing walking tour.

Discover how the history of Southwark is closely connected with that of the City of London and why, until 1899, a part of Southwark was governed by the Common Council of the City of London. Hear about the importance of the hop trade to the borough, where brewers came to purchase hops to flavour their beers. Borough High Street was dominated by inns and taverns in which beer and ale would be drunk in copious amounts. Learn about some of these famous watering holes and the difference between ale and beer as well as the foreign ‘lager’. And then there’s gruit, an herb mixture also used to flavour ales and beers. Hear about the medicinal properties of both hops and herbs, as well as the two great hospitals of the borough. Why is there an herb garden in the grounds of Southwark Cathedral and an Herb Garret in the attic of the former church of St Thomas’ Hospital? All will be revealed on this walking tour of Southwark.

Dafydd Wyn Phillips is a London Blue Badge Tourist Guide as well as a City of London Guide. Dafydd also leads tours around Fuller’s Griffin Brewery in Chiswick.

Meeting point: Southwark Gateway Needle (Meeting at 5:50pm for a 6pm departure)