Cat Tails – A Feline Take on London History
Westminster Underground station, London (exit 4, opposite Big Ben)
Guided by Ann
Adult: £20 · Students & Seniors: £15 · Children: £5
Walk Times
| Day | Walk Type | Start Time | End Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 April 2025 | Special | 10.45 am | 12.45 pm | Winter | Reserve Online |
| 4 May 2025 | Special | 10.15 am | 12.15 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 5 June 2025 | Special | 10.45 am | 12.45 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 6 July 2025 | Special | 10.15 am | 12.15 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
“The phrase ‘domestic cat’ is an oxymoron” George Will
“Dogs have owners, cats have staff”
Cats cats cats… have never had it so good since they ruled as gods in Ancient Egypt. Cat fans rave about their beauty, elegance, gymnastics and ability to scope out the warmest spot in house and garden. Non fans point out a cat’s independence, self-interest, and refusal to consider doing anything at all that it doesn’t feel like doing. All these qualities are of course part of its charm to fans.
Thanks to the internet you can waste hours in the day watching clips of cats arguing with the printer, leaping into the lampshade, riding on the vacuum cleaner, falling off things, terrorising dogs, etc. etc.
Cat Tails is the only cat walk in London, probably in the country, and possibly in the world. Come along to hear stories of London cats going back even before Henry V111- who did not have a cat as far as we know. Which famous Tudor courtier was always accompanied by at least one cat? Which London celebrity is said to have owned 60 cats? Which was the cat whose paws tingled as she helped research into electricity? And which cat dropped pigeons down the chimney for its owner’s dinner? (I can’t vouch for the 100% truth of that one.)
Here’s Ann’s delightful podcast introduction to the Cat Tails walk.
“Cats keeping dogs in their place” – Ann’s Flipside Purrfect Podcast about Cats
And This Makes Three, Giving Us a Clowder of Cat Podcasts
Ok, that’s got you in the mood, let’s paws for a word from Freud and then reprise the walk
“Time spent with cats is never wasted,” Sigmund Freud
Which national heroine had 60 cats? Who had his late cat’s paw mounted on a letter opener? Which cat ate Princess Margaret’s bouquet?
Enjoy these and other feline delicacies on a walk which combines places, people and the cats who lived there.
Including, of course, Larry of Downing St. and his predecessors.
Jane –
We loved Ann’s cat walking tour! Ann is warm and friendly, highly knowledgeable and her stories of famous London cats and their owners will be a delight for any cat lover. Would highly recommend this tour to other lovers of cats and London. Thank you Ann!
Gill Stringer –
A thoroughly entertaining and absorbing walk with Ann who is a terrific guide. Not only a must for any cat lovers but also an introduction to some fascinating and charming lesser known sites within the vicinity of Westminster and Covent Garden.
Alexa Michael –
This was a very interesting walk learning all about the history of London’s cats. Who knew that Florence Nightingale had 60 cats over the course of her life? Participants even got to enter the Savoy to see the famous cat there! Ann the walk leader was very engaged and knowledgeable. Definitely worth doing, even in the rain.
Julian Gladwell –
Very nice walk!
Everybody will enjoy this one.
Learnt a lot of interesting things that I did not know before.
You do not even need to be a cat lover.
Bring all your friends.
Ailsa Hemsley –
Great walk. Lots of cat ‘mews’. Would highly recommend
Patience Skelton –
Interesting and informative presentation by Anne who clearly knew her subject very well walking through areas not seen very often by us. A great couple of hours.
Lynn –
A really enjoyable walk from Parliament Square to Covent Garden. Ann was an excellent guide, recounting numerous tales about the cats of London past and present. Her pictures brought the cats to life and her historical anecdotes added real interest to the walk which passed many famous statues and buildings. Thank you, Ann, for a great morning.
Deborah and Sandra –
A fabulous feline themed walk around Westminster and Covent Garden, where we discovered a host of new cat stories from our excellent, well-informed guide Ann. Would highly recommend this walk to anyone who loves cats and wants to know more about their past and current roles in London.
Fiona Fawcett –
Really interesting tour Anne is a fabulous guide a must for cat lovers
William Shepherd –
Excellent collection of stories and annecdotes compiled by Ann who narrated them in a charming fashion. Highly recommended.