Ask anyone to name a London diarist, and the answer is near-unanimous: Samuel Pepys.
Though the 17th century naval clerk and Tory MP only kept a diary for nine-and-a-bit years, that was plenty of time to open a visceral window into the London of that era, both fascinating and problematic; indeed Pepys himself was involved in the slave trade, and gave unwanted attention to women.
His diary is most famous of all for documenting the ravages of the Great Fire of London, which ignited in the early hours of 2 September 1666. Pepys was already documenting it in his journal by mid-morning that day: "By and by Jane comes and tells me that she hears that above 300 houses have been burned down to-night by the fire we saw, and that it is now burning down all Fish-street, by London Bridge."
To remember Pepys — and to mark the anniversary of the Great Fire — City of London Guides are having another Samuel Pepys Day on Friday 4 September 2026.
Two different walking tours leave at five-minute intervals starting out from the City Information Centre, St Pauls Churchyard from 12pm, with the last departure at 12.22pm:
"To the Exchange and Beyond" heads eastwards, taking in the places, people and incidents from Pepys' life — and ending at the site which sparked the Great Fire broke out.
"To the Wedding Cake and Beyond" heads westwards to Pepys' place of baptism, early childhood and the areas where he socialised, dined and went to the theatre.
Both 2024 and 2025 were sell-outs, so we'd advise booking in advance. Proceeds from tickets go to the Lord Mayor's Appeal.
Samuel Pepys Day tours, Friday 4 September 2026, £15
