OLD LONDON -
the Mediaeval to Georgian City*
LS Walter - Washington, DC / Bangkok, Thailand
December 2009
Hilary knew interesting tidbits about the nooks and crannies we encountered as she led our group through the winding streets and alleys of 'Old London'. She often juxtaposed historical information (Christopher Wren) with contemporary knowledge (Norman Foster, for instance). I also enjoyed her wry sense of humour. Hilary's tour took us through hundreds of years of London's history (or thousands, since she started by pointing out details from a fragment of an original Roman wall!). This was my first tour with London Walks, and its educational/entertainment value led me to take Tom's Westminster walk the very next day.
Michel Blanchard-McMillan - London UK
November 2009
The guide was Kim and what a joy she was. She certainly knows her history and made this walk very interesting especially the information on Christopher Wren and the Great Fire of London...
Well done Kim and thanks again! :)
The Birneys - Victoria, BC, Canada
October 2009
We enjoyed and can recommend this walk (likewise all the others we've been on over the years). Hilary's knowledge of the history of the City spans from detail to panorama. As with all of the guides we've had, she does not encourage questions, but will gladly answer them.
Our tour ended with a magnificent view of Wren's crowning glory, recently cleaned, lit up by the setting sun.
 
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'Lo Birneys in Victoria, B.C.
 
David here - with two cents' worth.
 
Which is this: Hilary certainly doesn't discourage them. No guide does. My hunch, in fact, is that virtually every London Walks guide welcomes them. Not least because it gives them a chance to "show off"! But seriously, they welcome them for lots of reasons, not the least of which is it by definition means you've got some sparks in your group - people who are really switched on, genuinely interested. And sparks are always mighty welcome! But also really productive stuff can come out of those moments of interaction. They very often will "open things up" in quite fresh ways.
 
That said, one hasten to add that top drawer guides are always extremely aware of the shape and interstices of their walk. And those crucially important matters can go out the window if the guide throws the lever all the way over to the "we're going to do this on a Q & A basis" end of the spectrum. Years ago I went on one like that in New York and frankly it felt as though the guide hadn't done his homework - he was going to loosey goosey it, see where the "questions" took us. And frankly it didn't work - it felt disjointed, shapeless. It wasn't what I was looking for, what I wanted.
 
Heather M - London
January 2009
This is a wonderful walk from Tower Hill to St Pauls area. Many of Wrens churches are viewed and entered, and along the way you can see the starting point of the great Fire of London, peek down the hill to Billingsgate , see a pub that was built by Wren to fortify his workers and a gorgeous shell of a church that begs to be photographed. The area where it ends, St Pauls is filled with coffee shops and pubs where you can warn up or cool down after your walk. You will also learn who is cockney and the meaning of the phrase London bridge is falling down. Kim was a wonderful, personable and knowledgable guide.
Martha - Toronto
December 2008
I went on this walk in November 2008 with Kim. Having a knowledgeable guide was a great way to explore some of the city churches. St. Stephen Walbrook, the last church on the walk, is a real gem and it was very helpful to have Kim provide us with background information about its unique interior. BTW Princess Margaret's daughter was married in this church several years ago. My favourite thing about the walk was learning how an English style of church architecture with open interiors evolved away from the traditional Catholic style with many side chapels and a dark interior. This is a walk that I would do again.
Joel - New York, USA
August 2007
I took this tour in 2005 and Kim was the guide (Hillary was on holiday in Egypt). I love London history and wandering around the City of London (Square Mile) so this walk was literally up my alley. My favorite church was the last one we visited St. Stephen Walbrook. We ended the tour I recall right near one of my favorite ancient streets in the City called Bow Lane right as it was getting dark - wonderfully atmospheric. Although it helps to have some advanced knowledge of London history, anyone who likes exploring medieval nooks and crannies should enjoy this walk.
Donna R. Hecht - Claremont, California
July 2007
There were two themes throughout this walk -- stenches, and Wren churches.

The emphasis was on the 1660's and the Great Fire, though with plenty of information about other times, incuding Roman, medieval, and WW II. The guide must have mentioned in three or four different contexts how much people and the city in general stank in those days (WW II excepted).

We saw the interiors of two Wren churches, and the exteriors of -- Five? Six? I lost count.

The walk was pitched at those without a very advanced knowledge of London history. The guide explained about the City, the square mile, Samuel Pepys, etc. Even so, she did add a number of details and anecdotes that I had never heard before.

P.S. When I went, the guide was Kim, rather than Hilary.