Adult: £20 · Students & Seniors: £15 · Children: £5
Walk Times
Day
Walk Type
Start Time
End Time
12 January 2025
Special
11.30 am
1.30 pm
Winter
It all comes down to the guiding…
Short read: Lenin’s London
Medium read: The Russian revolutionaries’ London stamping grounds. Ranging from the places where Vladimir Lenin met Stalin and Trotsky to where they lived to where they drew inspiration to where they plotted to where they caroused (the pub Lenin frequented).
Background read: “For nearly a century – 1826-1905 – the doors of the United Kingdom were wide open to foreigners. The country had no means of stopping them for most of this period, and almost none of expelling them if they misbehaved. (The only exception was extradition.)
“At first glance he looked more like a provincial grocer than a leader of men.”
Most migrants were economic – attracted by the work and opportunities for enterprise Britain offered. Others came not because they liked the country, and certainly not because of the work (they had the reputation of being disinclined to work at all), but because of the absolute and indiscriminate right of asylum Britain offered them. They were safe here.
Lenin, who lived in London in the early 20th century, was rescued by a London policeman once, when a meeting turned ugly against him, after Russian police spies sowed a rumour that he was a spy.
Political refugees could not even be extradited if they could show that the crimes they were accused of abroad – however terrible – were politically motivated. Looking back on this now, after a century, it seems extraordinary.
‘The British tolerated the political refugees out of principle. They gained little from having them here. Britons did not support their being here because they knew and liked them; still less because they (or most of them) shared their political views.
It was a matter of principle. It was the policy of asylum for refugees the British were defending, not the refugees themselves.’
“Freedom in capitalist society always remains about the same as it was in ancient Greek republics: Freedom for slave owners.” Vladimir Lenin
“The oppressed are allowed once every few years to decide which particular representatives of the oppressing class are to represent and repress them in parliament.” Vladimir Lenin
“Fascism is capitalism in decay.” Vladimir Lenin
“A lie told often enough becomes the truth” Vladimir Lenin
LONDON WALKS PRIVATE WALKS
If you can’t make one of the regularly scheduled, just-turn-up, London 1902 - 1916: Seedbed of the Russian Revolution it can always be booked as a private tour. If you go private you can have the London 1902 - 1916: Seedbed of the Russian Revolution 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.
16 reviews for London 1902 – 1916: Seedbed of the Russian Revolution
Rated 5 out of 5
Vouty –
The walk through the history of the exiled Russians was captivating , Margarita’s knowledge and storytelling were amazing and made the tour unforgettable. Highly recommended.
Rated 5 out of 5
Chas –
The best walk l’ve been on with London walks.
Margarita brings along photos, prints, etc, to explain the people and places. She’s knowledgeable, engaging, and has great sense of humor.
Rated 5 out of 5
Matt –
Lovely lady, the walk wasn’t arduous (despite the previous ten mile walk), incredibly interesting! I learnt quite a bit, and had a few nice photo opportunities. 🙂
Rated 5 out of 5
Nancy Smyth –
Excellent, Margarita is friendly and knowledgeable. We really enjoyed our tour, it was so interesting.
Rated 5 out of 5
Daisy –
Such a great tour! So interesting and Margarita is an excellent guide ❤️
Rated 5 out of 5
John Snelling –
This is an excellent and highly informative walk. Margarita certainly knows her stuff and presents it in a clear and engaging fashion. Other walks cover the stories of revolutionaries in the East of London but if you have been on one of them, this walk is essential to complete the picture as important parts of the story happened in Camden and Islington. Thoroughly recommended.
Rated 5 out of 5
Dan –
Margarita’s walk was excellent. Thoroughly recommended.
Rated 5 out of 5
Ben –
Margarita is a treasure of knowledge, insight, and fun that made our very wintry evening a superb one.
She guided us around a corner of London that is slowly revealed to have played a prominent role of this pivotal parts of world history. Jostling among Saturday night drinkers is also effectively what the revolutionaries did in forming their plans in crowded pubs and cramped flats.
Rated 5 out of 5
Clive Ellis –
This really was a fantastic walk. Margarita was an excellent tour guide who was very knowledgeable and I learnt so much. Thank you. You will not be disappointed.😀
Rated 5 out of 5
Mr Nicholas Warner –
One of best things I’ve done. As a young communist here in England in my youth and with a Marxist as a dad I and as someone who has actually visited the Soviet Union And whose grandfather was a supporter like so many idealists of all nations of the “worker’s state” thought I had “seen it all”, had nothing to learn about The Russian Revolution in London until I met Margarita. Spaceba.
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Vouty –
The walk through the history of the exiled Russians was captivating , Margarita’s knowledge and storytelling were amazing and made the tour unforgettable. Highly recommended.
Chas –
The best walk l’ve been on with London walks.
Margarita brings along photos, prints, etc, to explain the people and places. She’s knowledgeable, engaging, and has great sense of humor.
Matt –
Lovely lady, the walk wasn’t arduous (despite the previous ten mile walk), incredibly interesting! I learnt quite a bit, and had a few nice photo opportunities. 🙂
Nancy Smyth –
Excellent, Margarita is friendly and knowledgeable. We really enjoyed our tour, it was so interesting.
Daisy –
Such a great tour! So interesting and Margarita is an excellent guide ❤️
John Snelling –
This is an excellent and highly informative walk. Margarita certainly knows her stuff and presents it in a clear and engaging fashion. Other walks cover the stories of revolutionaries in the East of London but if you have been on one of them, this walk is essential to complete the picture as important parts of the story happened in Camden and Islington. Thoroughly recommended.
Dan –
Margarita’s walk was excellent. Thoroughly recommended.
Ben –
Margarita is a treasure of knowledge, insight, and fun that made our very wintry evening a superb one.
She guided us around a corner of London that is slowly revealed to have played a prominent role of this pivotal parts of world history. Jostling among Saturday night drinkers is also effectively what the revolutionaries did in forming their plans in crowded pubs and cramped flats.
Clive Ellis –
This really was a fantastic walk. Margarita was an excellent tour guide who was very knowledgeable and I learnt so much. Thank you. You will not be disappointed.😀
Mr Nicholas Warner –
One of best things I’ve done. As a young communist here in England in my youth and with a Marxist as a dad I and as someone who has actually visited the Soviet Union And whose grandfather was a supporter like so many idealists of all nations of the “worker’s state” thought I had “seen it all”, had nothing to learn about The Russian Revolution in London until I met Margarita. Spaceba.