Short read: Tracing the footsteps of C.J Sansom’s dogged, melancholy ‘hero’ Matthew Shardlake and his ‘sidekick’ Barak through the streets of Tudor London.
Longer read: Fan of Tudor London?
Look no further, ‘The sights, the voices, the very smell of this turbulent age’ are raised from the page and into the genuine article.
We follow in the footsteps of Matthew Shardlake as he trots through Tudor London on his trusty horse Chancery. To Temple Stairs ‘to catch a wherry’ at Middle Temple – a beautiful 16th Century dining hall, to Shardlake’s ‘fine stone property’ in Chancery Lane. We pass ‘under the high square towers of the Great Gate’ of Lincoln’s Inn and Shardlake’s chambers…
Where still today barristers ‘stride purposefully about the precincts’, with ‘the space of Lincoln’s Inn Fields beyond’. Then to Staple Inn with its beautiful surviving Tudor façade, a satellite to Grey’s Inn and its golden age of Cromwell, Walsingham, Bacon, Cecil, Aske and the Queen’s most sadistic torturer Richard Topcliffe.
Barak’s home at the Old Barge in Bucklesbury and Guy of Malton’s apothecary’s shop near Budge Row.
The Shambles, Bladder Street, The Pope’s Head Tavern, Grey Friars, the ‘Hole’ at Newgate Prison, Paternoster Row and St Paul’s – we re-discover those ‘lost’ streets like a Tudor Rebus cutting through ‘the religious and political chaos of the 1540s with sinister élan’.
And finally, we end at THE end for Anne Askew, burnt alive in Smithfield by The Priory Church of St Bartholomew’s so vividly and horribly portrayed in Lamentation.
Anyone for a stiff drink? Thought so. I have a recommendation Barak himself would enjoy.
MATTHEW SHARDLAKE’S LONDON – THE PRACTICALS
Matthew Shardlake’s London takes place at 2 pm on Wednesday, March 15th ; 2 pm on Wednesday, April 19th; 2 pm on Wednesday, May 17th and 2 pm on Wednesday, June 14th.
The meeting point is just outside Temple Tube
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE GUIDING
Don’t just take it from us…
LONDON WALKS REVIEWS
“award-winning London Walks are unrivalled for quality and range” American in Britain Magazine
“the best London has to offer” Culture Trip
“by far the most impressive series of walks that I have ever encountered are those offered by London Walks” Travel and Enjoy
LONDON WALKS PRIVATE WALKS
If you can’t make the regularly scheduled, just-turn-up, public In the Footsteps of Matthew Shardlake walk do think about booking one as a private tour. If you go private you can have In the Footsteps of Matthew Shardlake – 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 Peter or Niamh 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 very special, thoughtful and unusual gift. Be it a birthday or anniversary or graduation or Christmas present or whatever. Merchandise schmerchandise (gift wrapped or not) – but giving someone an experience, now that’s special. Memories make us rich.
MIND THE GAP
PODCAST LISTEN
Shardlake’s London with a bonus – Andy got a bunch of his London Walkers to give their favourite London book recommendation.
Susan Platt –
Brilliant afternoon, fascinating tour made live by the knowledgeable and enthusiastic Andy. Got to reread the books again. I had no idea so much ‘hidden Tudor’ remains in London or the peace and tranquility that can be found off the busy thouroughfares or their bloody and brutal histories. Thanks so much, will definately do it again! I am still processing it!
Norma Dixit –
An excellent walk. Our guide Andrew knew both the novels and the walks very well and our group proceeded at an gentle rate. The group was a mixed ability, some older people walking slowly and others a bit faster but we walked only for no more than 5 minutes before something to see appeared and Andrew linked that sight with something in one of the novels. It wasn’t a hard walk but I was astonished at how much of legal London we covered. I think we were all amazed at how much there is to relate to both books and locations. I loved it and would thoroughly recommend it (even if you haven’t read the books). It certainly made me want to read them all again.
Alison –
Such an enjoyable walk yesterday. Andy is an outstanding guide with extensive knowledge, lots of enthusiasm and made this a superb tour. He incorporates the stories of Shardlake to the history, architecture and locations en-route. Absolutely fascinating!
Highly recommended.
Alison Feb 2023
Helen –
Excellent tour for everybody who like Sansom books. Andy is great guide and I felt like visit 16 century London. I appreciate these books even more now
Helen –
Excellent tour especially for those who love Sansom books. Now I can understand the books way better, Andy is wondeful guide, this tour is a must for everybody who loves Shardlake. I feel like visited 16 century London.
Susan and Gary Gilhooly –
Just completed this walk and feel keen to recommend this walk to all! It is a fascinating tour of Tudor London with references to the wonderful Matthew Shardlake novels . Andy is a very knowledgeable guide and a wonderful presenter of this fascinating period of London history. Thank you so much Andy for making our afternoon so enjoyable and educational!
Åsa –
History and litterature combined with walking the actual premises of your favourite detective in the company of an excellent, engaging and incredibly knowledgeable guide. Can it get any better? Honestly don’t think so. Go!
Klas Wictorin –
Excellent walk among friends of Shardlake. We got to see fantastic places and hear stories from Tudor London. The guide Andy was extremely well read on history and illustrated the walk with old maps and citations. Highly recommended!
Julia –
Thoroughly enjoyable. Andy has an encyclopaedic knowledge of Shardlake and the Tudor city where he lived and worked so the tour was a delight for fellow enthusiasts.
Ileana –
Exquisite! A gorgeous summer day with a little group of Shardlake fans and an extremely knowledgeable guide! The walk was a real treat and I learnt so much, discovering such peaceful parts of London and gems of history hidden away. Walking in the footsteps of C.J. Sansom’s characters, and generally speaking in the footsteps of history, was so interesting!
Wendy –
A great tour for anyone interested in the historic areas of London but especially linked to Shardlake. Andy was very knowledgeable and an interesting and engaging guide. Two and a half hours flew by! Great value and so many interesting facts to take in. I would love to do the tour again when I’ve re-read all the books! Thanks Andy!
Simon –
Excellent – Andrew was a great guide and fans of Shardlake will love it. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Jo –
Amazing. Andy was extremely knowledgeable abs made the whole tour so interesting and informative.