George Town & Fort St. George Heritage Walk
About This Experience
Where Madras began
In 1639-40 the English East India Company was granted a strip of coast, and in 1644 it finished a fort here. Around it grew two towns: White Town inside the walls, and the much larger Black Town of Indian merchants, weavers and traders outside, renamed George Town in 1911 in honour of King George V. This walk explores both, in the cool of the morning.
The route
We start at Fort St. George, today the seat of the Tamil Nadu Secretariat, and visit St Mary's Church, consecrated in 1680 and the oldest Anglican church in India, before the Fort Museum opens its doors (closed Fridays, so Friday walks see the museum from outside). Crossing to George Town, we see the red sandstone domes of the Madras High Court (1892), the quiet courtyard of the Armenian Church (1772) and the old lighthouse, then lose ourselves in the lanes of the flower, brass and spice bazaars around Parry's Corner and the Kalikambal temple.
Good to know
The walk is about 3 km on busy streets and ends with filter coffee in a George Town canteen. Carry a photo ID for the fort; photography of Secretariat and military buildings is not allowed. The fort museum ticket is included.
செல்லும் முன் தெரிந்துகொள்ளுங்கள்
Know before you go
Most temples are living places of worship: dress modestly, remove footwear at the counter outside, and expect crowds and closed sanctums around midday. Photography is never allowed inside sanctums, and many temples now ask you to deposit phones. Each site's own rules are listed under its etiquette.
What to bring
- Clothing that covers shoulders and knees (a dhoti, saree, churidar or long skirt is ideal)
- A shawl or stole
- Socks for hot stone floors
- Small change for footwear and phone counters
- Local customs
- Dress code: Comfortable clothing and walking shoes; carry a photo ID for the fort. Walk clockwise around shrines, keep your voice low near the sanctum, do not touch idols or priests, and follow the queue. Offerings are optional.
- Accessibility
- Mostly level streets, but crowded bazaar lanes and some steps; not ideal for wheelchairs.
Visiting etiquette
- Dress
- No dress code; neat, comfortable clothing is suitable, since the fort also houses the Tamil Nadu Secretariat and defence offices.
- Footwear
- Footwear can be worn throughout the fort, museum and St Mary's Church grounds.
- Photography
- Photography of the Secretariat, military buildings and security areas is not allowed. Inside the ASI Fort Museum, photography may be restricted in some galleries, so ask staff first.
- Entry
- Expect a security check at the gate and carry a government photo ID. The Fort Museum ticket is about ₹25 for Indians (more for foreign visitors) and is often paid by QR code or UPI, so cash may not be accepted.
- Timings
- The Fort Museum is open 09:00–17:00 and closed on Fridays. St Mary's Church keeps its own hours, with Sunday services.
- Offerings
- No offerings are expected. At St Mary's Church, visitors are welcome but should stay quiet during services.
- Behaviour
- Follow security staff instructions and stay out of restricted government areas. Please don't touch museum exhibits, and keep your voice down in the church.
Then & Now
Fort St. George through the centuries
Comparing the 1905 photograph with the same view today.
Then: Fort St. George.jpg — Unknown photographer, 1905 (Public domain)
Now: Fort St. George, Chennai 2.jpg — L.vivian.richard at English Wikipedia (Public domain)
2026 Today
Now home to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and Secretariat. The museum keeps the first flag hoisted after independence.
Location
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Cancellation Policy
Full refund if cancelled 24 hours before.
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