Walks
The City In Spires!
After the Great Fire of London in 1666, Sir Christopher Wren electrified the London skyline with the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral. This was not however a stand-alone project. There were also 51 other churches on the drawing board, each with its own unique spire. The spires were mapping points in a city pre-sky scrapers, and if travelling along the river you could locate yourself by looking towards the spires from the water.
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This inspir-ing (!) walk will show case the churches of St. Mary le Bow, St.Lawrence Jewry and St. Bride's amongst others. You will be taken to the best viewing points to gaze up these famous spires and hear the stories and legends associated with them. If time, you will also get a chance to pop inside for visual treats of fan-vaulted ceilings, 12th century crypts and the Christopher Wren at this best.
Victoria & Albert - A Love Story
Come and hear about one of the most famous love stories in history and its enduring legacy. As we wander Kensington Gardens, you will learn about the drive and visions of a man who who had to carve himself a role in the shadow of his wife. You will see where the Great Exhibition of 1851 was held, and learn about the area fondly known as Albertopolis. En route, we will take a proper look at two of the greatest monuments to love in London and end the walk at the Victoria & Albert Museum.
The Spirit of Soho
Full of history and colourful individuals, Soho is so much more than the well-known Chinatown. As we wander the narrow streets, you will get a sense of how and why the area developed and a flavour of how many nationalities have played a part in its history. We will look at wonderful buildings, churches and street art and hear about the famous people who have left their mark. It's such an exciting vibrant part of London - I know you will love it.
Money! Money! Money!
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Join me on an intriguing journey through the City of London, one of the world's greatest financial centres. This walk takes you on a fascinating look into the rich history and dynamic evolution of London’s financial district.
Explore the historic Bank of England and The Royal Exchange, learning about their pivotal roles in global finance. Dip into narrow alleys and peek into the past, uncovering stories from the 1700s coffee shops where deals were made and fortunes forged.
Admire the cutting-edge architecture that defines the new face of the City and listen to captivating stories of financial success and failure that have shaped the City over the centuries.
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The Financial District Walking Tour
(not one about Abba!)
Bawdy Bankside
Step into the lively past of Bankside!
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Join me on a spirited walk of Bankside, the vibrant area south of the River Thames that buzzed with energy and mischief. Known for its freedom from the City's jurisdiction, Bankside was the playground for taverns, theatres, brothels, bear-baiting, and alehouses.
You will dive into the history to hear tales of bards, bishops, and breweries and have your eyes opened to the somewhat sordid past of this area. Known as "the pleasure garden of London" you will discover poignant reminders of a lawless world where unconsecrated land became a burial ground to prostitutes and others denied a Christian burial.
As we go along, we will be stepping behind the main drag, to discover what has shaped this cultural landscape and to explore famous landmarks from a different angle.​
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Bermondsey and its heritage
Nick-named The Land of Leather, Bermondsey has a rich industrial past where tanneries, biscuit factories and breweries once dominated. Sitting south-east of London Bridge it has been an area of poverty, being badly hit by bombs aiming for the nearby docks during the war. Today Bermondsey is experiencing a gentrification which has brought high-class hotels, art galleries and hipster-type cafés to this part of south London. Come and discover this exciting area which has its roots in an 11th century Abbey.
Meandering in Marylebone
Whether you pronounce it "Mar-le-bon' or 'Marry-le-bone', the charm of this area remains the same. With famous institutions such as the BBC and Madame Tussauds, Marylebone has a fascinating social history which is revealed in the smaller streets. Famous for his medical heritage and delightful shopping, it is also home to some outstanding philanthropists. Come and hear their stories and discover what lies behind the scenes of this lovely part of town.
Historic Pub Walk
The City's pubs have survived a lot over the years; fires, plagues, wars and modernisation. Step back in time to discover some of the oldest and most atmospheric pubs in The Square Mile. These inns and taverns have been places of inspiration for London's famous figures including Charles Dickens and Samuel Johnson and remain at the heart of London life.
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We will wander some of the charming alleyways to pubs being famous for being hard to find, hear stories of well-known characters both real and fictional and take a step back in time to savour the unique ambiance of this part of London.
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Private groups will have a chance to pop for a swift pint or half - Public walks will start and end with the opportunity to enjoy a drink.
Cheers!
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Scoop! The Fleet Street Story
Known as the The River of Ink, Fleet Street in its heyday was where the pavements thudded with rotary presses and news and gossip was exchanged 24 hours a day. With a powerful combination of journalists and lawyers frequenting the local pubs, every twitch could find an expression and the streets were alive with heavy lorries delivering reels of paper and ink.
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Come and discover the history of printing and newspapers along this historic street. From book sellers, to the arrival of the printing press, to new technologies and why the industry moved out in the 1980s, this walk will evoke a by-gone era and highlight some of the spectacular buildings that still shine.
Scandal in Westminster
Uncover the past in the hushed streets of Westminster. Come and discover a quiet oasis where politicians, actors and journalists have left their mark. As you wander the charming Georgian streets, you will hear stories of perjury, a royal temper and the start of a new military protocol. You will marvel at the impressive St. John's church, and have a world of hidden details revealed all pointing to the rich history of this area.
The Hidden History
of
Covent Garden
Think you know Covent Garden? Far from the clean and safe environment it is today, Covent Garden used to be an area of slums and danger. Crime was rife and those seeking pleasure did not just go to the theatre. On this walk you will discover wonderful theatres, hear about royal love affairs and learn how it is thanks to the monks from Westminster Abbey that the great market flourished for centuries. . You will be taken away from the hordes of tourists to discover a world of back streets and alleys where history will come alive.
Education & Philanthropy in Bloomsbury
Known as the place where the Bohemian set lived in squares and loved in triangles, Bloomsbury is also home to great philanthropists whose acts have left an enduring legacy. As we wander some of the most picturesque streets in the capital, you will hear about the man who fought for 17 years to care and educate the most vulnerable of citizens; a literary great who documented and campaigned for those in need, and an Elizabethan grocer whose generosity established one of the most famous public schools in England.
Home to some of the most picturesque streets in the capital, with unspoiled Georgian terraces and charming squares, Bloomsbury also claims the stunning art deco Senate House and the world renown British Museum. Along with impressive architecture, it boasts the world famous Great Ormond Hospital, the smallest alleyway in London and the University of London.
Join me to have your eyes opened to this lovely part of town and discover how education and philanthropy have shaped the area.
St. James's & The Crown Estate
In its heyday, the area of St. James’s was where dukes and dandies lived and socialised. Nestled next to the main royal residence, it was the height of fashion and the place for wealthy gentlemen. Today the charming genteel streets continue to thrive on tradition and quintessential Englishness. St. James’s is home to some of the most impressive houses in London, old English shops and members' clubs. But why and how did it develop into such a gloriously exclusive area? And who were the characters that helped shape it? Come and discover this simply glorious part of London for yourself.
Treasures of Mayfair
Famous for being worth top whack on the Monopoly Board, Mayfair is synonymous with exclusivity. Known as the playground of the aristocracy, the nightclubs are high-end-celebrity-hangouts and everything from food to drink to fashion is luxurious. But the place that started as muddy fields with an annual fair, has more to it than high property prices and rents. Behind the glittering shop fronts and busier streets, lies a world of stunning churches, beautiful architecture and delightful gardens; a world where reputations were made and lost, where wealth and sleaze lived side by side. Come and immerse yourself in elegance and style and open your eyes wide to this glorious part of London. It’s not to be missed.
Exploring The Square Mile
The City of London is nicknamed The Square Mile and is famed for its quirky traditions and unique governance. It is where London all started; where the Romans landed and where trade and commerce have flourished ever since. This walk will showcase the variety of fascinating things found in this compact area. From wonderful Wren churches, to the history of Livery Companies - from what has emerged from bomb sites to the modern City - Join me to have your eyes opened to this exciting part of London.
Secret Gardens, Hidden Churches
Come and explore the delightful quiet spaces in The Square Mile. Tucked away from the busier streets, there is a different world where former graveyards and bomb sites have been transformed. The attractive little gardens and charming churches are not always obvious but once you've found them, you won't forget them.
