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HistoryYear 2 20 min
The Great Fire of London
Travel back to 1666 and discover how the Great Fire of London changed the city forever.
Learning Objectives
- Know when and where the Great Fire of London happened
- Understand why the fire spread so quickly
- Learn about Samuel Pepys and his diary
The Story
In September 1666, a fire started in a bakery on Pudding Lane in London. The fire burned for four days and destroyed much of the city.
Why Did It Spread?
- Houses were made of wood and very close together
- The summer had been hot and dry
- There was no proper fire brigade
- People didn't have enough water to put it out
Activities
Activity 1: Timeline (10 minutes)
Create a simple timeline of the four days of the fire.
Activity 2: Samuel Pepys' Diary (15 minutes)
Read an adapted extract from Samuel Pepys' diary. Why was it important? He buried his cheese in the garden!
Activity 3: Design a New London (15 minutes)
After the fire, London was rebuilt with brick and stone. Design your own safer city.
Related Resources
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