Cart Marking Ceremony: See Dozens Of Vintage Vehicles In Guildhall Yard This July

By Jun Li

Last Updated 27 May 2025

Cart Marking Ceremony: See Dozens Of Vintage Vehicles In Guildhall Yard This July
An old fire cart ridden by firefighters in retro uniform
Just like the old days. Image: The Worshipful Company of Carmen

A historic ceremony harking back centuries takes place in the City, with the chance to see a slew of vintage vehicles roll into Guildhall Yard.

The Cart Marking ceremony — hosted on Saturday 19 July 2025 by the City of London and the Worshipful Company of Carmen — first began around 500 years ago, as a form of vehicle licensing. After the owner had paid for a licence, a mark would be burnt onto their wooden cart, signalling it was officially certified.

The cart marker and the driver of a large, green truck interact.
One of the carts from 2021. Image: The Worshipful Company of Carmen

Even today, all vehicles passing through Guildhall Arch still pay 'five shillings' (25p) to the City of London, in honour of the tradition. A red hot iron brand is used as part of the ceremony, although it's pressed onto a block of wood attached to the vehicle, rather than the chassis itself.

A bicycle getting marked at the Cart Marking Ceremony.
A bicycle getting marked. Image: The Worshipful Company of Carmen

Vehicles are no longer limited to wooden carts of course; expect to see horse-drawn carriages, steam engines, fire engines, vans, ambulances, bicycles, removal vans, royal cars, electric cars. It is essentially a timeline on wheels — a wheely eclectic mix.

A bright green shipping truck
Image: The Worshipful Company of Carmen
A group of people, including two dressed in traditional robes, smiling in front of a cart.
Got a feeling the officials are going to be a tad sweaty. Image: The Worshipful Company of Carmen

Over 50 vehicles will feature in 2025's festivities; in turn they'll be greeted by the City's top brass, including the Lord Mayor of London, masters from two different City of London Livery companies, and the Keeper of Guildhall Yard — all dressed in traditional robes.

An old handcart, with signage showing it's from Peckham
Image: The Worshipful Company of Carmen

As each vehicle is marked with the iron brand, a commentator provides a brief history.

A retro ambulance
Is it us or did ambulances used to look much cooler? Image: The Worshipful Company of Carmen
A dark blue Bedford truck
Image: The Worshipful Company of Carmen

Here's a video of the ceremony from 2022:

Cart Marking Ceremony, Guildhall, City of London, Saturday 19 July 2025, 10am-3pm, free entry