Charles Dickens’s London

(40 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 13-12-2024 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

40 reviews for Charles Dickens’s London

  1. 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!

  2. 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!

  3. 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.

  4. Tony Flannery

    A walk in the rain is rarely as entertaining as our walk with David. He was a very engaging guide, our limited knowledge of Dickens was no disadvantage, everything was made very understandable.

  5. Francesco Petrocchi

    We’ve had the priviledge to take part in an amazing Charles Dickens tour led by Richard (3rd), who’s been extremely kind, informative and clear. It’s been a great experience! Thank you Richard! PS: I found a very good and cheap second-hand copy of C. Tomalin’s book on Dickens. Thanks for mentioning and recommending such a reliable and thourough biography!

  6. Linda Tournade

    David P. is one of London’s best tour guides! I thoroughly enjoyed his Dickens tour and loved spending time with him and our small group in Ye Olde Chesire Cheese (which Dickens frequented) at the end.

  7. Catherine Kriske

    We went on the Dickens walk with Richard III. As lifelong Charles Dickens fans it was everything we could have asked for. Richard was knowledgeable and witty. He kept the pace just right. We learned so much!

  8. Mark Baldwin

    Excellent walk! David is an expectational guide who ensured everyone was enjoying the walk and tended to a few special needs of some of the attendees.
    Message to David: I related that Bar in street names refers to barricade; I was mistaken it refers to a barbican.

  9. Andrea B.

    Excellent! London walks were recommended to me & having now gone on 2 in 2 days, I’m so very happy for the recommendation. Richard III was my guide for both the Charles Dickens & Notting Hill & Portobello Market walks. Both were wonderful. I learned so much from Richard. He walks at an easy pace, with frequent pauses to deliver a fascinating bit of history. Richard is a terrific story teller; just a delightful guide. Many thanks! I’ll be joining again soon. 🙂

  10. Terri Kutner

    My husband and I loved Richard 3’s Charles Dickens tour. In fact it was one of the highlights of our recent 10 day trip to London. My husband was ambivalent about going on a Dickens tour since he had last read Dickens in high school but was willing to go. Richard was so knowledgeable about not only Dickens but the buildings, geography, society and economy of Dickens’ London that he enabled us to see London through Dickens’ eyes. Highly recommend this tour and Richard 3.

Add A Review

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