N.B. this walk will not take place on the following dates:
06-06-2025
“It was the best of walks, it was the best of walks…..” Charles Dickens and Guide David
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: Embankment, Charing Cross, Strand, Rules Restaurant, Covent Garden, Wellington St, St Mary ‘in the Way’, Old Curiosity Shop, LSE, Central Law Courts on Fleet St, Childs Bank (formerly on Fleet St) and Inner Temple. It’s the London of David Copperfield and Pip and Pickwick papers. It’s “Inimitable” – like Dickens himself.
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE GUIDING
Don’t just take it from us…
MEET YOUR GUIDE
Get to know David P.– find out a bit about him (spoiler alert, he’s warm, friendly, and ever so likable). All of which well and truly comes across in this recent London Calling podcast interview I did with him.
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
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.
The good: The guide was very knowledgeable, I learned a lot about Dickens. He was also willing to provide extra details in between stops, if you asked him to.
The not so good: It was more walk than talk, which was a bit disappointing. It was also a bit hard to hear the guide, although he had his speaker turned up.
Rated 5 out of 5
Mary –
Great walk today with David P. His passion for Dickens was obvious. It was fun, engaging, interesting and informative tour… and ended in a beautiful old English pub.
Rated 5 out of 5
Julie –
Had a wonderful walk with Richard III, his knowledge of all things Dickens was amazing. We learnt so many interesting facts about Dickens and places and characters that his books were based on.
Always a pleasure todo a London Walk, I recommend them to everyone!
Rated 5 out of 5
Paula Sussman –
I went on David’s “Charles Dickens London” walk a week ago. It was truly a major highlight of my holiday in England. I learned so much about Charles Dickens, what life was like in London during the time he lived, the background behind his different novels, his interest in public health and improving lives of the impoverished. We even may have met one of Dickens’ descendants, I believe a great great grandson at one of our stops which was unexpected. David has a wealth of knowledge and kept the tour participants totally engaged. He is passionate about sharing Dickens legacy. After the tour, he invited participants to accompany him to a historic pub which Dickens frequented.
Besides learning about the history of the pub, it was interesting to learn from David more about current London, the many diverse buroughs, and to discuss social issues. I am very appreciative of the post tour follow up from David with many resources we can access to learn more about Dickens and very much look forward to reading more of Dickens’ writings having been so inspired by the tour. I also would love to go on more tours through London Walks, when I save up for my next trip to London. Many thanks and cheers!
Rated 5 out of 5
Margaret –
It’s always a pleasure to do a London Walk not only to learn about London’s history but it’s the guides that really make them come to life.
We did the tour on 6 December with David P and I can honestly say he’s one of the best.
Funny, entertaining and highly knowledgeable and having a drink at the end in Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese pub was an added bonus.
Rated 4 out of 5
Susan Cain –
So much history and interesting information
Rated 5 out of 5
Hugo P. –
We did the tour with David P. on October 29th, 2024 and it was fantastic. The locations we saw were great to get a sens of Dickens’ life and art. David is very knowledgable, not only about Dickens, but London in general. He’s also funny and engaging. We had a great time!
Rated 5 out of 5
Amy S. –
I am a forty year (!) veteran of London Walks and found David P to be one of the best guides I’ve had. He was engaged, personable, and highly knowledgeable — not just about Dickens, but about other literary and historical figures. He was able to put Dickens into a literary and historical context which I found extremely helpful.
Rated 5 out of 5
Helen Baker –
We thoroughly enjoyed our walk around central London with Richard (the Third!), learning about places Dickens lived, worked, and the sites from his writings. Richard was entertaining, full of information, and engaging. I highly recommend his tours!
Rated 5 out of 5
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.
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Ryan –
The good: The guide was very knowledgeable, I learned a lot about Dickens. He was also willing to provide extra details in between stops, if you asked him to.
The not so good: It was more walk than talk, which was a bit disappointing. It was also a bit hard to hear the guide, although he had his speaker turned up.
Mary –
Great walk today with David P. His passion for Dickens was obvious. It was fun, engaging, interesting and informative tour… and ended in a beautiful old English pub.
Julie –
Had a wonderful walk with Richard III, his knowledge of all things Dickens was amazing. We learnt so many interesting facts about Dickens and places and characters that his books were based on.
Always a pleasure todo a London Walk, I recommend them to everyone!
Paula Sussman –
I went on David’s “Charles Dickens London” walk a week ago. It was truly a major highlight of my holiday in England. I learned so much about Charles Dickens, what life was like in London during the time he lived, the background behind his different novels, his interest in public health and improving lives of the impoverished. We even may have met one of Dickens’ descendants, I believe a great great grandson at one of our stops which was unexpected. David has a wealth of knowledge and kept the tour participants totally engaged. He is passionate about sharing Dickens legacy. After the tour, he invited participants to accompany him to a historic pub which Dickens frequented.
Besides learning about the history of the pub, it was interesting to learn from David more about current London, the many diverse buroughs, and to discuss social issues. I am very appreciative of the post tour follow up from David with many resources we can access to learn more about Dickens and very much look forward to reading more of Dickens’ writings having been so inspired by the tour. I also would love to go on more tours through London Walks, when I save up for my next trip to London. Many thanks and cheers!
Margaret –
It’s always a pleasure to do a London Walk not only to learn about London’s history but it’s the guides that really make them come to life.
We did the tour on 6 December with David P and I can honestly say he’s one of the best.
Funny, entertaining and highly knowledgeable and having a drink at the end in Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese pub was an added bonus.
Susan Cain –
So much history and interesting information
Hugo P. –
We did the tour with David P. on October 29th, 2024 and it was fantastic. The locations we saw were great to get a sens of Dickens’ life and art. David is very knowledgable, not only about Dickens, but London in general. He’s also funny and engaging. We had a great time!
Amy S. –
I am a forty year (!) veteran of London Walks and found David P to be one of the best guides I’ve had. He was engaged, personable, and highly knowledgeable — not just about Dickens, but about other literary and historical figures. He was able to put Dickens into a literary and historical context which I found extremely helpful.
Helen Baker –
We thoroughly enjoyed our walk around central London with Richard (the Third!), learning about places Dickens lived, worked, and the sites from his writings. Richard was entertaining, full of information, and engaging. I highly recommend his tours!
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.