Deutsch Central London Areas
BELGRAVIA – SQUARES, STUCCO AND….SCANDAL!
A walk round one of the most expensive and exclusive areas of London , spiced up with a bit of gossip and scandal.
BLOOMSBURY – ‘LIFE IN SQUARES’
Georgian squares, and home of the British Museum, London University’s Senate House and Hawksmoor’s most bizarre church. Stories of the Bloomsbury Group, Dickens, TS Eliot, George Orwell and the life of bohemian London of late 19c. and early 20c.
CHARLES DICKENS’ LONDON
A walk about Dickens life and times, conjuring up the London he knew and depicted, passing places featured in his novels. For those who want to make a day of it, visit Dickens House and Museum in the afternoon. (entry charge)
COVENT GARDEN AND 7 DIALS – The red-light district of Georgian London
The area which was the 18c red-light district for the upper classes! In 19c.it declined into poverty and now is regenerated as a vibrant area of street performers and entertainment. 3 contrasting areas – Embankment Gardens, the bustle of Covent Garden Market, and the converted warehouse enclave of 7 Dials. A walk not for the prudish! (could end for meal in a ‘millennial’s’ middle-eastern restaurant in 7 dials www.eatlebab.com)
FINSBURY AND THE LOWER FLEET VALLEY
Finsbury’s character was influenced by the river, which still flows beneath the streets (at one point one can hear it!). It is home to the ‘New River Head’ opened in 1613 to supply London with fresh drinking water taken from the River Lea in Hertfordshire. We pass Sadler’s Wells, the site of Bagnigge Wells and Coldbath Fields (17c Spas) and end by the medieval Clerks Well, (Clerkenwell). A varied walk with grand squares and elegant streets, looming Victorian warehouses and rundown terraces now being gentrified.
FITZROVIA – The Famous and Infamous
The area around Charlotte St., named Fitzrovia after one of the pubs frequented by the literary, artistic, eccentric, and frankly raffish, became the bohemian centre of late 19c. and 20c. London. An area full of atmosphere, and full of good stories.
KING’S CROSS REGENERATION – IT’S STILL ALL CHANGE
Currently Europe’s largest city centre regeneration scheme the once seedy area of King’s Cross has been reborn as a vibrant new mixed use development, including the new home to the University of the Arts, Aga Khan centre, Google and META’s HQ, flats, shops, art centres and restaurants (plenty of choice for a post walk meal). Over 20 old buildings have found new uses, coal drops have become a shopping centre and Gasholder has become a park. Gardens by Dan Pearson, and other leading landscape designers.
LEGAL LONDON – THE INNS OF COURT (Weekdays only)
A walk through the quiet squares of the Inns of Court where the barristers reside where I will outline the history of our legal system. The 2 hr walk includes tour of the Temple church (if open + entry charge).. Full day walk can incorporate a visit to the Royal Courts of Justice, to sit in on a trial.
MARYLEBONE AND MAYFAIR – along the course of the River Tyburn
The Tyburn River rises in Hampstead flows ((now through storm drains) under Marylebone, Mayfair, and into the Thames at Pimlico.. We will follow part of the river’s course, strictly above ground through 2 of London’s most elegant and fascinating areas. The layout of those areas, their history and their land-ownership are directly related to the course of the river. (2 ½+ hrs).
HOW MAYFAIR TURNED THE MONOPOLY BOARD BLUE
For over 300 years the playground for the aristocracy and the rich. Elegant facades, shady squares (in more ways than one!), Mayfair ‘madams’, posh shops, true blue money and blue stories. A good walk to do later on a winter afternoon/or pre Christmas as it ends walking past the very posh windows of New Bond Street – illuminated in the dusk. But can be enjoyed any time of year at any time of day.
REGENT’S PARK – THE EVOLUTION OF ENGLISH GARDEN DESIGN (+ world famous rose garden…)
The park has some of the best planted gardens in London. Different elements of English garden design are found in the park, e.g. an early physic garden, the aptly named English Garden (an example of natural landscaping), herbaceous borders, Italianate formal plantings much loved by the Victorians, and 21c wild flower drifts. The walk also visits a secret garden attached to one of the grand villas and the world famous Queen Mary Rose Garden (best June/July).
REMEMBRANCE – A FIRST WORLD WAR WALK
From Hyde Park Corner through the parks to Whitehall passing buildings, memorials and sites associated with the war itself, characters involved and events leading up to it. We take a closer look at the many memorials in and around the central London parks. The walk ends by the Cenotaph site of the annual ceremony of remembrance (2 ½ + hrs).
SOHO – FROM HUNTING PINK TO RED LIGHT AREA
Soho, with its street cafes, restaurants and its seamier side – learn the history of the area and look more closely at its elegant 17+18c. houses, and hear stories of the bohemian crowd of the 50s and 60s. This is a walk better done in winter as the narrow pavements are less crowded with diners and visitors. (could end for meal in one of Soho’s original eateries – the French House www.frenchhousesoho.com – Tues – Sat.).
SOUTHWARK AND BANKSIDE – A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
The red-light district of Elizabethan London – with theatres, taverns, cock-fighting, bull and bear-baiting, a notorious prison, and the ‘oldest profession’ plying their trade…it’s an area rich with stories. Afterwards shop/eat in Borough market (closed Mon.). (Morning walk could end with meze lunch www.tasrestaurants.co.uk or do your own thing in Borough Market)
SOUTHWARK + BANKSIDE – THE EVOLUTION OF ELIZABETHAN THEATRE – From Gladiators to the Globe
A walk weaving through narrow streets tracing the history and evolution of the theatre from Roman times to the great flowering of Elizabethan theatre in the playhouses of Bankside. This was also the red light district of Tudor London, so the walk is not as erudite as it may sound! (Morning walk could end with meze lunch www.tasrestaurants.co.uk or do your own thing in Borough Market) (Particularly successful when done as a precursor to a performance at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre).
ST JAMES – HIGH AND LOW LIFE IN REGENCY LONDON
St James’s – the heart of royal and aristocratic London, – St James’s Palace, Buckingham Palace, the Mall, Pall Mall. – elegant Regency buildings, exclusive shops + stories of dissolute Georgian London and the secretive world of the Gentlemen’s Club.
STATUES AND MEMORIALS – Biographies in bronze and stories in stone
A walk mostly off-road from Westminster Embankment, via Horseguards and the parks ending at Hyde Park Corner to appreciate not only the great artistry of the area’s many statues and memorials, but also the lives and events commemorated. Some heroic, some poignant, and some bizarre.
WESTBOURNE RIVER WALK – THROUGH HYDE PARK, KNIGHTSBRIDGE AND CHELSEA (Bayswater Rd. to Chelsea Embankment – approx 4m (3 ½ hrs)
A half day walk from Bayswater to Chelsea following the course of the hidden River Westbourne. Rising on Hampstead Heath it flows (underground) from Bayswater into Hyde Park where the row of marshy ponds were converted into the Serpentine. The route then weaves through Knightsbridge and the elegant streets of Chelsea to end on Chelsea Bridge where, if the tide is low, you can see its outlet into the Thames.