Deutsch The Famous (and the Infamous!)
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 life of bohemian London of late 19. and early 20c.
BIOGRAPHIES IN BRONZE AND STORIES IN STONE – London’s Statues and Memorials
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.
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).
THE FAMOUS AND INFAMOUS OF FITZROVIA
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 of good stories.
KENSAL GREEN CEMETERY – The famous, infamous and downright bizarre
London’s first great necropolis, posher in its time than Highgate. Dramatic mausolea, famous names (Brunel, Thackeray, WH Smith), colourful characters and peaceful setting. Microcosm of an era when everything was possible.
IN THE STEPS OF THE KRAY TWINS
Reggie and Ronnie Kray are now part of the folklore of the East End. These notorious and violent gangsters dominated and terrorised post-war London. The walk weaves round the backstreets of Bethnal Green and Whitechapel, tracing their life and crimes, ending at the infamous Blind Beggar Pub.
NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY – BRITISH HISTORY THROUGH FACES
Almost 500 years of portraiture, images of those who have contributed to every aspect of British life. Not always great art, but always fascinating people with intriguing stories. Portraits also cast light not only on the sitter but the artist and the values of the time in which he/she lived.
1. Can be normal day-time tour
2. Or Friday evening followed by supper in local restaurant (supper extra).
PLAGUE AND FIRE THROUGH THE EYES OF SAMUEL PEPYS
Tracing Pepys’ colourful life and his observations on high and low life in London during the Plague, – learn about the surprising similarities with the recent pandemic -, the Great Fire and the regeneration of the city.The walk weaves through the narrow alleyways of the City along routes that Pepys would have known. (could end with meal in www.naturalkitchen.co.uk near the Tower Hill tube).
THE MAKING OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE.
Starting in Blackfriars, site of one of Shakespeare’s theatres, the walk will cross the river to Southwark to explore the area that became associated with the great flowering of the Elizabethan theatre. The walk includes a visit to London’s oldest galleried Inn and could also include a tour of Southwark Cathedral, with its many Shakespearean connections.(entry charge). Could be combined with a theatre visit to Shakespeare’s Globe, or a tour of the Globe. (could end with meze meal www.tasrestaurants.co.uk or do your own thing in Borough Market)
SYLVIA PANKHURST AND THE EAST END SUFFRAGETTES
A walk round Bow, a less frequented area of the East End, but one associated with the East London Federation of Suffragettes, led by Sylvia Pankhurst. This walk traces the life and work of Sylvia and the ELFS, particularly their initiatives to ameliorate the lives of factory girls. Still an area of deprivation, but fast changing as a result of the ‘Olympic Effect’. (could end with meal in a gastro-pub www.morganarmsbow.com)
THE UNSUNG ENGINEERS OF RIVERSIDE LONDON Brunel and Bazalgette to Arup and the Thames ‘Super Sewer’ (2 ½ hrs)
A walk along the river from Westminster to St. Paul’s with an engineering focus. It crosses both new London footbridges and takes a closer look at the London Eye, Festival Hall, National Theatre, Tate Modern and progress on the new Thames ‘Super Sewer’, It also features the unseen great Victorian engineering achievements of Bazalgette’s London sewers, and the first underground railway in the world.
THE GENIUS OF WREN – ARCHITECT AND POLYMATH
Tues-Thurs. mornings as only on these days are all 4 churches normally open.
Wren was already famous as an astronomer, mathematician and inventor before he took up ‘architecture’ his thirties. Through visiting up to 4 of his best preserved City churches, seeing the exterior of 4 more, and ending with an unusual view of St. Paul’s Cathedral, I hope to give you an understanding of the sheer versatility, brilliance and surprising modesty of the man himself. (could end with lunch in meze restaurant www.hazrestaurant.co.uk nr. St. Paul’s)