N.B. this walk will not take place on the following dates:
09-07-2025 24-09-2025
Short read: Ancient riverside village…
Thinking about going on this one? On your way to the walk? Click here. This podcast is a perfect fit.
Long read: Starts with one of the great set-pieces of London architecture (and history). To set foot in there is to cross a threshold into another era. Because the “pensioners” – old soldiers – are Redcoats! They’re resplendent in the 300-year-old scarlet uniform that was the garb of British soldiers in the 17th-century. As old as the cannons that guard the place. That’s just the overture.
Because Chelsea is also Whistler’s Thames – best seen in the afternoon with the sun like a blob of melted butter burnishing the luminous water. And it’s Sir Laurence Olivier’s house (and Oscar Wilde’s “Tower of Ivory” and Mick Jagger’s house and Thomas Carlyle’s). Yes, these gnarled old village lanes and byways are as clamorous with great names as rooks in a wood. The pageantry of the place continues to unfurl – because Chelsea is also artists’ studios and the old Apothecary Garden that changed the course of American history (on Wednesday afternoons it’s normally open to the public!) and Sir Thomas More’s church and Crosby Hall (historical frissons don’t come any more intense – because Crosby Hall was built nearly 20 years before Columbus discovered the new world – and Richard III was staying in it when he heard the “sad” news about the little Princes in the Tower). Great walk.Guided by Claire, Stephanie and Brian, winner of the Guide of the Year Award. N.B. the Chelsea Walk ends in Cheyne Walk, a 15-minute walk (or 5-minute bus ride) to Sloane Square Tube.
CHELSEA WALK PRACTICALS
The meeting point is just outside the exit of Sloane Square Tube Stop. *Except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE GUIDING
Don’t just take it from us…
LONDON WALKS REVIEWS
“London Walks offer the very best walking tours of the capital” The Travel Channel
“My daughter and I went on the Wednesday afternoon Chelsea walk with the London Walks company last week. We’ve tried a number of this company’s walks and always found them interesting, but in the hands of our guide, Stephanie, this was an exceptional experience. She gave us just the right mix of mind-boggling fact and quirky anecdote, without wasting a single word. The best guide we’ve ever had!” Peter W.
LONDON WALKS PRIVATE WALKS
If you can’t make one of the regularly scheduled, just-turn-up, Chelsea Odyssey - Riverside Village, Legends & Landmarks, Art, Architecture & Anecdotes it can always be booked as a private tour. If you go private you can have the Chelsea Odyssey - Riverside Village, Legends & Landmarks, Art, Architecture & Anecdotes 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.
10 reviews for Chelsea Odyssey – Riverside Village, Legends & Landmarks, Art, Architecture & Anecdotes
Rated 5 out of 5
Janet –
We really enjoyed our walk with Brian. Lots of locations in Chelsea with so much information we forgot how cold the weather was. Highly recommended for Brian’s knowledge of the area .
Rated 5 out of 5
sue Howard –
Wed 30 October – Chelsea Odyssey Walk @ 1345 with Brian
As always, with London Walks, the walk was fantastic!
Brian was extremely knowledgable friendly, with a nice loud voice.
Knew so many facts it was mind numbing!
I wondered around afterwards thinking about Sir Hans Sloane, Mick Jagger, Oscar Wilde and Ellen Terry and J.Turner and sooo many others amazing people from our history!
First class walk!!
Rated 5 out of 5
Mary Furr –
I recently joined the group for the Chelsea riverside walk and it was a great treat. What a beautiful, elegant part of London. Our guide was Claire, who is knowledgeable and interesting and made the whole tour a joy. The two hours just flew by! I would highly recommend this walk!
Rated 5 out of 5
Amy –
Stephanie conveyed an amazing amount of information in an entertaining way. It was great to see the former homes of so many famous persons and hear the history of the buildings. Highly recommended!
Rated 5 out of 5
Bruce Hislop –
A great tour with Stephanie with a wonderful extra , being invited into Oscar Wildes House and getting to stand where he wrote so many of his works.
Rated 5 out of 5
Li –
Love the walk with Claire! She led us through big crowds going to the Chelsea flower show and to some quietly elegant and historically rich buildings, streets and gardens. Also did the Covent Gardens walk with Claire.
Rated 2 out of 5
Darryl Marshall –
This was one of our least favorite walks due to lack of architectural details which were glossed over, and superficial historical information. She also did not project her voice, so it was difficult to hear her.
Rated 5 out of 5
Peter Lawless –
Enjoyable walk , Claire enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide. Lots of information , a great way to spend an afternoon.
Rated 5 out of 5
Karen Jones –
Just to say huge thanks for a wonderful walk given by Claire yesterday – absolutely loved the walk – just so interesting and enjoyable with just the right level of information and unusual points of interest – we didn’t even notice the rain. It was booked by my friend Jo as a birthday gift and I couldn’t have wished for a better treat (followed by tea at Peter Jones!). I’d highly recommend this walk, and Claire as your knowledgeable and entertaining guide. Thank you so much London Walks – please feel free to pass my review onto Claire or post it on your website.
Rated 5 out of 5
Maggie blandford –
Chelsea riverside walk, today 22/09/21. Our excellent guide was called Gavin. He was extremely knowledgeable, very polite, amusing and we could hear every word he said, despite traffic noise ( it was Chelsea Flower Show!!) Really excellent and we all really enjoyed it. Thank you!!!!
Janet –
We really enjoyed our walk with Brian. Lots of locations in Chelsea with so much information we forgot how cold the weather was. Highly recommended for Brian’s knowledge of the area .
sue Howard –
Wed 30 October – Chelsea Odyssey Walk @ 1345 with Brian
As always, with London Walks, the walk was fantastic!
Brian was extremely knowledgable friendly, with a nice loud voice.
Knew so many facts it was mind numbing!
I wondered around afterwards thinking about Sir Hans Sloane, Mick Jagger, Oscar Wilde and Ellen Terry and J.Turner and sooo many others amazing people from our history!
First class walk!!
Mary Furr –
I recently joined the group for the Chelsea riverside walk and it was a great treat. What a beautiful, elegant part of London. Our guide was Claire, who is knowledgeable and interesting and made the whole tour a joy. The two hours just flew by! I would highly recommend this walk!
Amy –
Stephanie conveyed an amazing amount of information in an entertaining way. It was great to see the former homes of so many famous persons and hear the history of the buildings. Highly recommended!
Bruce Hislop –
A great tour with Stephanie with a wonderful extra , being invited into Oscar Wildes House and getting to stand where he wrote so many of his works.
Li –
Love the walk with Claire! She led us through big crowds going to the Chelsea flower show and to some quietly elegant and historically rich buildings, streets and gardens. Also did the Covent Gardens walk with Claire.
Darryl Marshall –
This was one of our least favorite walks due to lack of architectural details which were glossed over, and superficial historical information. She also did not project her voice, so it was difficult to hear her.
Peter Lawless –
Enjoyable walk , Claire enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide. Lots of information , a great way to spend an afternoon.
Karen Jones –
Just to say huge thanks for a wonderful walk given by Claire yesterday – absolutely loved the walk – just so interesting and enjoyable with just the right level of information and unusual points of interest – we didn’t even notice the rain. It was booked by my friend Jo as a birthday gift and I couldn’t have wished for a better treat (followed by tea at Peter Jones!). I’d highly recommend this walk, and Claire as your knowledgeable and entertaining guide. Thank you so much London Walks – please feel free to pass my review onto Claire or post it on your website.
Maggie blandford –
Chelsea riverside walk, today 22/09/21. Our excellent guide was called Gavin. He was extremely knowledgeable, very polite, amusing and we could hear every word he said, despite traffic noise ( it was Chelsea Flower Show!!) Really excellent and we all really enjoyed it. Thank you!!!!