Long read: Inside Story Was going to say Karen and Adam have emptied the pockets of several stunning London interiors and laid the contents out before us. Empty schmempty. It’s better than that. They take us into those pockets. Some of them places** you wouldn’t be able to get into if you weren’t on this walk. Special places, privileged places. Here’s Poet Laureate John Betjeman on one: “unique and irreplaceable and part of literary and theatrical London. It’s historic – quite different from a museum because it’s living and in use, not an exhibit.” And its setting, its street? “It’s unmitigated London – human in scale, irregular in height and width, the kind of street that’s fast disappearing.” So: Downton Abbey film location, lost rivers, faded menus, whipping post, ballet students, private dining rooms, portable flogging and beheading kit, Pearly king, silver-domed trollies, night watchman’s tardis, famous actress’ ashes in a tea caddy, horseshoes, personal letters and gifts, Grand Cigar Divan, cabinet particulaire where the prince and the actress dined (and, you can be sure, canoodled) privately, etc. here we come! Great walk. Guided by Karen (winner of the Guide of the Year Award***) or Adam. Want a preview of the walk – and the guiding? Watch the video.
*”privileged access” – not using the term lightly. One of the knock-offs tried to horn into one of these interiors (“London Walks comes in here, are you saying we can’t” “Yes, that’s what we’re saying. Now there’s the door – get out of here and don’t come back.”) **On three floors, all of which we visit! ***The Guide of the Year Award was just Karen limbering up. She hit her stride in the Travel & Leisure article that dubbed her “the world’s greatest guide”
INSIDE COVENT GARDEN – THE PRACTICALS
Inside Story – Covent Garden Interiors takes place every* Thursday at 10.15 am. Meet Karen or Jan orAdam, or Simon or Clairejust outside the exit of Covent Garden Tube. N.B. the walk ends in Trafalgar Square, seconds away from Charing Cross Station and only a couple of minutes away from Leicester Square Tube.
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE GUIDING
Don’t just take it from us…
LONDON WALKS PRIVATE WALKS
If you can’t make one of the regularly scheduled, just-turn-up, Inside Story – Covent Garden it can always be booked as a private tour. If you go private you can have the Inside Story – Covent Garden 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.
This walk was fantastic! Claire was a great guide, really knowledgeable. She provided us with so many interesting facts and anecdotes. We were fortunate enough to be able to go inside venues such as Rules which was fascinating. I would highly recommend this tour!
Rated 5 out of 5
David Marsh –
Our twelfth walk and probably our best yet largely due to Adam ( and the crisp sunny weather) Adam displays an experience and knowledge of his brief from many years in the role of guide yet he delivers with a passion and vitality of someone new to the job. He is a credit to his industry.
Rated 5 out of 5
Alth and Steve Kennedy –
Loved it – thank you Adam. We try to fit in a London Walk whenever we visit . The places you go and the local knowledge are always interesting and superbly entertaining !
Rated 5 out of 5
Kathryn Cooper –
Excellent tour of Covent Garden this morning with Adam. Knowledgeable guide and very entertaining as well. Thoroughly recommend
Rated 5 out of 5
Adrian Turner –
The tour took place on the 16th November and was an excellent way of improving my knowledge of this areas history and development. Adam was both knowledgeable and amusing with his tour introducing us to numerous places of interest which are off the tourist trail. It is an excellent way to learn that Covent Garden is so much more than bars, restaurants and boutiques.
Rated 5 out of 5
Jacqueline Bartle –
We really enjoyed the tour which started at Covent garden. Adam is a great storyteller and his knowledge seemed boundless. The highlight of the tour was our visit to Rules restaurant. It was a real privilege to be allowed in before the customers. We have visited London many times but the tour revealed a different side of London hidden away in back streets. Thoroughly recommend these tours as its not our first with this company.
Rated 5 out of 5
Becky and Jim Drahovzal –
We really enjoyed our Inside Covent Garden tour with Adam on Thursday. It was both informative and entertaining! We especially enjoyed the ‘inside” aspect of the tour!
Rated 5 out of 5
Liz K. –
Covent Garden with Adam was great. Lots of good info and interesting stops. London Walks never fail to delight.
Rated 5 out of 5
Maggie B –
Really enjoyed Simon’s walk around Covent Garden, he really makes the place come alive. Full of enjoyable, interesting tales. Seen nooks and crannies of London I would never have found myself, and two hours went by so quickly. Well worth the trip, look forward to more of these walks. Thank you.
Rated 5 out of 5
Juli –
Fabulous tour with Simon. Saw the piazza, oldest church(es), Drury Lane Theatre, the Opera House and more. Along the way, Simon gave us the history of the area and of individual buildings – and in a very entertaining way. Two hours flew by.
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Sarah –
This walk was fantastic! Claire was a great guide, really knowledgeable. She provided us with so many interesting facts and anecdotes. We were fortunate enough to be able to go inside venues such as Rules which was fascinating. I would highly recommend this tour!
David Marsh –
Our twelfth walk and probably our best yet largely due to Adam ( and the crisp sunny weather) Adam displays an experience and knowledge of his brief from many years in the role of guide yet he delivers with a passion and vitality of someone new to the job. He is a credit to his industry.
Alth and Steve Kennedy –
Loved it – thank you Adam. We try to fit in a London Walk whenever we visit . The places you go and the local knowledge are always interesting and superbly entertaining !
Kathryn Cooper –
Excellent tour of Covent Garden this morning with Adam. Knowledgeable guide and very entertaining as well. Thoroughly recommend
Adrian Turner –
The tour took place on the 16th November and was an excellent way of improving my knowledge of this areas history and development. Adam was both knowledgeable and amusing with his tour introducing us to numerous places of interest which are off the tourist trail. It is an excellent way to learn that Covent Garden is so much more than bars, restaurants and boutiques.
Jacqueline Bartle –
We really enjoyed the tour which started at Covent garden. Adam is a great storyteller and his knowledge seemed boundless. The highlight of the tour was our visit to Rules restaurant. It was a real privilege to be allowed in before the customers. We have visited London many times but the tour revealed a different side of London hidden away in back streets. Thoroughly recommend these tours as its not our first with this company.
Becky and Jim Drahovzal –
We really enjoyed our Inside Covent Garden tour with Adam on Thursday. It was both informative and entertaining! We especially enjoyed the ‘inside” aspect of the tour!
Liz K. –
Covent Garden with Adam was great. Lots of good info and interesting stops. London Walks never fail to delight.
Maggie B –
Really enjoyed Simon’s walk around Covent Garden, he really makes the place come alive. Full of enjoyable, interesting tales. Seen nooks and crannies of London I would never have found myself, and two hours went by so quickly. Well worth the trip, look forward to more of these walks. Thank you.
Juli –
Fabulous tour with Simon. Saw the piazza, oldest church(es), Drury Lane Theatre, the Opera House and more. Along the way, Simon gave us the history of the area and of individual buildings – and in a very entertaining way. Two hours flew by.