Charles Dickens’s London

(24 customer reviews)

Embankment Tube, Villiers Street exit

Guided by David Poyser or Richard III

Walk Times

Day Walk Type Start Time End Time
Friday Weekly 2.30 pm 4.30 pm Winter Summer Reserve Online

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

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.

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24 reviews for Charles Dickens’s London

  1. 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!

  2. 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.

  3. 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. 🙂

  4. 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.

  5. Neil & Rose Cole’s

    Dickens Walk with Richard III Friday 27th October 23 . This was a very interesting and informative walk around Dicken’s London Richard was a superb guide with great knowledge delivered with humour . We highly recommend this.

  6. Kat Saunders

    A fantastic Charles Dickens walk with Richard 3rd. Loved Richards delivery & dry wit, just added to his knowledge on his subject.
    Really loved the walk & totally recommend.
    Next the Victorian walk & will def request Richard.

  7. Kathleen

    Loved our Dickens tour with David. We visited areas and side streets of London area that we never would have if not have taken the tour. David was enthusiastic and passionate and knowledgeable about Dickens. Loved this tour!!! Highly recommend for Dickens fans. THANKS

  8. Cristina Mottura

    E’ stato davvero un piacere fare questo London Walk con David che ha saputo trovare l’equilibrio perfetto fra simpatia e intrattenimento e informazione dettagliata e specializzata sulla letteratura e storia al tempo di Charles Dickens. E’ stato molto bello anche conoscere gli altri “London walkers” provenienti da tutte le parti del mondo. IL tempo a Londra vola sempre troppo velocemente così spero di avere presto un’altra occasione di fare un altro tour con David e la London Walks.

  9. Linda Cownty

    Incredibly interesting tour with Richard III today. I learnt so much from him, the tour was jam packed with information and amusing stories. This was the second London Walks tour I have been on and hope to do many more. It’s a wonderful way to explore the city in which I was born.

  10. Coralene

    I maybe wrong, I booked months ago for the Dickens Tour today and the tour seemed to be more of a History – Literature Tour? Dickens was min included. Did I join the wrong tour? 😢It was interesting and insightful. There are a few mentioned people I plan to reach more about. Thank-you!

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