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
Philip Haddow –
We did the Charles Dickens Walk with Simon on Friday and it was excellent. Lots of interesting facts delivered with passion and good humour.
Judd Burton –
When booking a trip to London I knew I needed to see some sights of my most favorite author, Charles Dickens. Our guide Simon did not disappoint! Our whole family(kids included) had a wonderful time exploring the London of Dickens.
Shona Lawson –
An absolutely fabulous tour today with Simon. I have seen parts of London and learned such interesting facts which I had no idea excised. I couldn’t recommend these tours highly enough. If you come to London do one of these tours you will not be disappointed.
Rebecca M –
My family group really enjoyed Charles Dickens’s London with David P. He went at our pace and as a former Londoner I found out some things I didn’t know about the great city. I will definitely be reading a bit more Dickens in future. A lovely way to spend an afternoon in London.
Phillip –
Walking with David today March 11th we were 8 in all. An enlightening walk on the subject of Charles Dickens with readings and some great interactive help fro one our walkers, a good Nancy from Oliver Twist if there ever was one. David kept us moving along and a jaunt through parts of the city made it most enjoyable.
Ryan Burgin –
Excellent walk! I have done many of the London walks and this one ranked as one of the best. Simon was the guide for only two of us, which made it even more special. His knowledge of not only london, but of so much of London’s rich history was incredible, and he wove so many brilliant stories about Dickens own life as well as how his literary works imitated them. The whole tour passed so quickly and was such a pleasure to be a part of. I would do this and other walks led by Simon again for sure.