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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 May 2025 | Special | 10.15 am | 12.15 pm | Summer | |
| 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 |
| 6 August 2025 | Special | 10.45 am | 12.45 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.
Maxwell Kates –
Very entertaining and informative tour on the history of London and its historical and cultural figures, all from the perspective of our four legged furry friends, the cats. Learn about cat stories associated with Churchill, Wolseley, and Nightingale, not to mention Royals and Prime Ministers. A trip to the Savoy Hotel is a highlight, where we learned the legend of the hotel’s cat superstition. Ann has done her research and is passionate about the material. My only suggestions would be to wear a microphone when attractive a large group, and more explicit London Walks signage at the beginning of the tour, otherwise the experience was formidable. I did subsequently search for the cats in St. Paul’s, but much like T. S. Eliot’s Macavity, they weren’t there.
Helen –
This was good fun and had lovely stories and photos of cats who have been kept by historical figures.
Ann is a wonderful guide and knew her subject thoroughly. .
I managed to find one of the cats who lives at St Paul’s in Covent Garden mentioned by Ann.
Karen –
A must for all cat lovers, expertly and lovingly crafted and guided by Ann (despite the pouring rain 08/08/23). Includes photo images, quotes, poems, and a very brief look inside the Savoy Hotel foyer. No “live” cats were to be seen anywhere of course (those kitties are so very clever at hiding), but you definitely won’t be disappointed with this delightfully interesting walk.
Mary –
This is an absolutely gorgeous walk for any cat lover. Ann is a fantastic guide, has fully researched her subject and has brought lots of feline photos and quotations to illustrate the walk. It also takes place in interesting and picturesque parts of London. I highly recommend it and hope it will become a regular and much loved feature on the London Walks programme!