An 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 18 July 2026 by the City of London and the Worshipful Company of Carmen — first began around 500 years ago, as a form of vehicle licensing.
"Carters," says the Carmen, "were a rumbustious crowd. They plied for hire, and ignored authority." As carts increasingly clogged the streets, causing increasing chaos, the Fraternity of St Katherine, the Virgin and Martyr of Carters was formed in 1517, "to serve the King... cleanse, purge and keep clene the streets" and "move wares and merchaundyses". But with the Fraternity lacking authority, in 1529, the City decided it was time to impose licensing; carts to be marked 'with the sworde crowned'.
This in turn led to a 1582 rule that each cart in the City must be sealed with branded 'chip and brass' for a penny a year per cart (or five pence for a new cart).
The practice of cart marking survived through the centuries (despite carters finding various devious ways to swerve regulation), and when, in 1965, the Town Clerk decreed that the tradition did not 'create a forward looking image of the city authorities', Carmen Past Master Norman Letts remarked "There is a modern tendency among the ignorant to discredit those things which have at least the virtue of antiquity." The tradition continued.
The modern Cart Marking Ceremony, which takes place every summer, was prompted in 1981, when a steam engine was driven into Guildhall Yard to be marked. It's since evolved into a celebratory public event, with vehicles passing through Guildhall Arch to pay 'five shillings' (25p) to the City of London.
A red hot iron brand is still used, although it's pressed onto a block of wood attached to the vehicle, rather than the chassis itself, which is probably sensible.
Vehicles are no longer limited to wooden carts; in 2026 expect to see the likes of vintage fire engines, buses, funeral carriages, omnibuses, trade bicycles — plus modern additions like road sweepers and vacuum tankers.
The vehicles are greeted by the City's top brass, including the Lord Mayor of London (or as is the case in 2026, the Lady Mayor of London), masters from two different City of London Livery companies, and the Keeper of Guildhall Yard — all dressed in traditional robes, and wearing gloves made by the Worshipful Company of Glovers — before being marked with the iron brand.
It all adds up to create a glorious timeline on wheels — one of the most joyful vehicular events of the London calendar, alongside the London To Brighton Veteran Car Run and the World Naked Bike Ride.
Here's a video of the ceremony from 2022:
Cart Marking Ceremony, Guildhall, City of London, Saturday 18 July 2026, 10am-12.30pm, free entry
