Upper Thames Street, London EC4V 3BG
A ‘Celebrate the River’ Visit
The Vintners’ Company, with its first Charter in 1363, is one of the Twelve Great Livery Companies of the City of London. Its connection to the river is through the Company’s ownership of swans, shared with the Crown and the Dyer’s Company. The historic ceremony
of ‘Swan Upping’, the annual census of the swan population, takes place in July on certain stretches of the river Thames. Swans were a prized source of meat in the Tudor age and their quills were used for writing, plus the feathers were used decoratively in fashionable hats.
The Vintners of London have possessed a Hall situated between Upper Thames Street and the River Thames since the 15th century, the present Hall was built in the 1670s and is a much larger and more magnificent structure than its predecessor, with more elaborate court rooms. We will have a full guided tour of the building plus a chance to discover the history of swan upping.
The cost of the visit is £15.00
Please note – admittance by ticket only.