Charles Dickens’s London

(37 customer reviews)

Embankment Tube, Villiers Street exit

Guided by David P. or Richard III

Walk Times

Day Walk Type Start Time End Time
Friday Weekly 2.30 pm 4.30 pm Winter Summer Reserve Online

N.B. this walk will not take place on the following dates:

15-11-2024 03-01-2025 10-01-2025 17-01-2025 24-01-2025 31-01-2025 07-02-2025 14-02-2025 21-02-2025 28-02-2025

Short read: A sojourn into a lost city – an Atlantis.

Long read: Dickens and London? He wrote London. You read him, it’s part of you, you’re part of it. Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, Little Dorrit – all part of English literature. Same goes for walking his London. Pip’s lodgings in Great Expectations (“who enters here leaves noise behind”); the bank which employed “resurrection man” Jerry Cruncher in A Tale of Two Cities; Tulkinghorn’s chambers (“where lawyers lie like maggots in nuts”) in Bleak House; even the “original” Old Curiosity Shop (or is it?).

Dickens’ immortal Sam Weller had “extensive and peculiar” knowledge of Dickensian London. This walk keeps that tradition alive. Tradition and peculiar being the watchwords. Because we thread our way into a Victorian London of nooks and crannies and alleyways and gas lamps and 18th- and 19th-century houses – and no cars! It’s the part of London where Dickens lived and worked: Chancery Lane, Gray’s Inn, Holborn, Doughty Street, River Thames, London Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral. It’s the London of David Copperfield and Pip and Pickwick papers. It’s “Inimitable” – like Dickens himself. And on a Dickens tour of all things you don’t want a “guide” with the expressive range of a turtle. Step forward accomplished actors Richard III (he’s Mr. Jingle – yes, that’s right, he’s a member of the Dickens Pickwick Club) and Richard IV (he of the thrilling, velvety voice, as all of those audiobooks he narrates for Audible eloquently attest).

IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE GUIDING

Don’t just take it from us…

THE CHARLES DICKENS’ LONDON WALK – THE PRACTICALS

The Charles Dickens’ London Walk takes place every* Friday at 2.30 pm. The meeting point is just outside the Villiers Street exit of Embankment Underground Station  Tube. *Not Dec. 25[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

LONDON WALKS PRIVATE WALKS

If you can’t make one of the regularly scheduled, just-turn-up, Charles Dickens's London it can always be booked as a private tour. If you go private you can have the Charles Dickens's London walk – or any other London Walk – on a day and at a time that suits your convenience. We’ll tailor it to your requirements. Ring Fiona or Mary on 020 7624 3978 or email us at [email protected] and we’ll set it up and make it happen for you. A private London Walk – they’re good value for an individual or couple and sensational value for a group – makes an ideal group or educational or birthday party or office (team-building) or club outing.

GIVE THE GIFT OF LONDON WALKS

A private London Walk makes a fab gift – be it a birthday or anniversary or Christmas present or whatever. Merchandise schmerchandise (gift wrapped or not) – but giving someone an experience, now that’s special. Memories make us rich.

LONDON WALKS – STREETS AHEAD!

Don’t just take it from us.

OTHER TOURS YOU MAY LIKE

37 reviews for Charles Dickens’s London

  1. Leonard Bottleman

    Richard (3rd) led an entertaining walk around parts of London that had been frequented by Charles Dickens. Richard was an engaging guide and the information he shared fascinating. The walk itself was easy and led to interesting locations we would not have gone on our own. If you are even the slightest bit interested in Dickens or the history of London then this walk is for you.

  2. Jim Bosscher

    Richard III did an outstanding job—very insightful commentary!

  3. Dan Geva

    Great tour with Simon interesting, fun, intriguing. Thanks

  4. Jules

    Fabulous Charles Dickens walk with David today, so much knowledge as well as perfectly pitched recitation and humour.

  5. Camilla Thornton

    Richard III is an excellent guide with his dry humour which added to the walk. His knowledge and enthusiasm for Dickens is catching. I also loved the actual walk through parts of London I didn’t realise existed.
    I recommend Richard III and this walk

  6. Teresa S

    We went on this walk last week with Richard (III). It was very enjoying and informative. Richard was very knowledgeable and injected some humour into the talk.

  7. Charlotte Voake

    David’s walk was brilliant. So much history under our noses – and in spite of the cold and wind (it was a freezing day in May…) he had his audience captivated . And we could hear every word ….! Highlights included the site of the blacking factory where Charles Dickens was sent aged 12, coutts bank who funded philanthropical ventures suggested by him, and the actual old curiosity shop which is part of the LsE campus . I would highly recommend.

  8. Barbara B.

    What I enjoyed the most about David P.’s walking tour was how vividly he connected the past with the present! This walk presented Dickens’ London as so much more than historic locations. David’s extensive knowledge, combined with quotes from Dickens and his contemporaries, helped me imagine the city’s 19th century people and living conditions at every place we visited, and why Dickens’ writings still matter!

  9. Tracy Evans

    I have been on a few London Walks and they’ve all been excellent. And this one didn’t disappoint. Richard (the 3rd) clearly loved his subject and managed to bring us all into Dickens’ London (and beyond). Lots of facts and history delivered in a knowledgable yet humorous way. What’s not to like? These walks are enlightening, entertaining and enjoyable – always!

  10. Jeff Murray & Vigdis Jacobsen

    We absolutely loved David’s tour and stayed on despite the weather! It was cold and wet, but his witty, lively, knowledgeable and clever delivery made it all special. Particularly enlightening were his cross references to other literary figures (like George Orwell) to deepen the impact of Dickens’s gifts. We are both inspired to read more Dickens now and will highly recommend London Walks and the Dickens tour in particular.

Add A Review

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *