Trip

Very few people know that underneath Guildhall is a large Roman amphitheatre, which occupied most of what is now the site of Guildhall Yard and the Great Hall. This was one of the centre-pieces of Roman Londinium, and the venue for countless gladiatorial contests, pageants and other displays. Some 2,000 years after they were built, few such amphitheatres survive in the UK and this is the only one which is so intact. It is also the only one to which the public can gain access - albeit by dint of much begging! We have been granted that privilege, but only for a maximum of 15 people, because the fabric of the arena has to be preserved from the tread of countless feet. Our guide is also going to give us a private tour of the Art Gallery, which we sometimes pass through on our way to big City Civic events - the cloakroom and loos are in the basement! It has a HUGE and ever-growing collection, including one of the original Magna Cartas. So hurry and book the very limited number of places (Capacity means Members can bring just one guest each.) for a ninety-minute visit, meeting our guide at Guildhall's West Wing entrance at 6pm. We will start with a tour of the Gallery and then descend underground and walk out onto the sand of the arena, slipping back in history over two millennia, to stand where countless battles were fought and some of our City's historic foundations were cast. After the tour, you are free to head home, or you can join the Master for supper at The Trading House, a few yards away in Gresham Street, where everyone can choose what they wish to eat and then squabble over the bill!