“Sexual intercourse began
In nineteen sixty-three…
Between the end of the “Chatterley” ban
And the Beatles first LP.”
Phillip Larkin, Annus Mirabilis 1967 (pub. 1974)
This tour contains frequent and explicit references to recreational drug use and sex. There are also descriptions of scenes of a violent nature.
Swinging London
London’s achievements in music and fashion during the 1960s reverberated around the world…
This walking tour pays tribute to – and then goes beyond – the world of The Beatles and Mary Quant.
In a walk through three neighbourhoods, zooming-in on the period 1962 to 1968, travelling from from the coldest winter on record (this wouldn’t be England if we didn’t talk about the weather!) to the shimmering Summer of Love. As the walk unfolds, we’ll we’ll see the old boundaries of the class system being blurred like never before.
Cast Of Characters
East End gangsters are rubbing shoulders (and more) with peers of the realm; in Soho they’re sloshing Coca Cola into perfectly good Scotch; they’re dropping their T’s at the BBC and pillars of the establishment are dropping their drawers in shabby Marylebone mews flats.
Meanwhile, pop singers are invited to Buckingham Palace to meet The Queen.
Boys’ hair is long, girls’ skirts are short and to be “Far Out” is to be “In”.
The old emblems of Empire and conquest can be acquired and worn for a couple of bob* in new-fangled “boutiques”. And presiding over it all a portly little socialist from the provincial North.
Somewhere over the wonderful Day-Glo rainbow of Swinging London, we’ll find both the most mythologised, and the most misunderstood period of the century. And we will ask… was it all the work of “Third-rate minds in a third-rate decade”? Or was it truly One Brief Shining Moment?
(*Translation: Bob was the old slang word for a shilling which is about 5p in modern money.)
We will visit…
Marylebone… to see the little back street where 13 years of Conservative government came crashing down amid a scandal of sex and spying; we’ll also get a view of a modern architectural and communications wonder rising to dwarf St Paul’s on the London skyline, like a vast, grey middle finger “saluting” the old order; and we’ll watch as pirates board the BBC.
Mayfair… where the class system is challenged as girls from Neasden and boys from Dartford cosy up with old Etonians and where protestors rampaged in the streets of sleepy London Town.
Soho… where the Mod gods came out to play and were laid low, along with the mighty, by the swingeing sword of justice.
Politics, Drugs & Showbiz
We’ll span the political spectrum from the Labour government’s decriminalisation of homosexuality, legalisation of abortion and abolition of hanging to Enoch Powell’s infamous Rivers Of Blood speech. As Harold and Ted look on we’ll meet everyone from Mick and Keith to Ron and Reg.
Drugs, the law, fashion, media, politics, race, architecture, class, society, showbiz, protest, music and sex…
If you can remember the 60s… you weren’t there.
If you can’t remember the 60s… join this NEW walking tour.
Happy walkers in a most unusual (but theme-specific) bar with guide Adam after the tour!
And here’s another reason [David speaking here] you should go on it:
Kate –
Adam is not only informative, he’s charismatic and enthusiastic as well. The pictures and actual places, along with a fabulous soundtrack made this tour so worthwhile. Thoroughly recommended and wish i had time to do more tours with him.
Kate –
Enthusiastic, charismatic and informative. Adam not only provided pictures to go along with the walk, he provided a soundtrack too. Absolutely brilliant. Top Marks.
Wish i could do another of his walks.
Janet Adam –
Highly recommended. Adam is a fantastic guide and I thought the email sent before the walk with photos of all the characters from the 60’s that we were going to find out so much about was a great idea. Thankyou Adam for taking us to the places we would never have found in London without this great guided walk.
Mandy Robotham –
Fabulous tour with Adam, who is hugely knowledgeable and a superb raconteur. I’m a Londoner born and bred but I learned so much about my own home city. Highly recommended.
Viv Hunsworth –
We thoroughly enjoyed the swinging sixties walking tour with Adam last week. Adam is great, he is very knowledgeable,informative, friendly & helpful & his little anecdotes made the walk very interesting.He gave us plenty of opportunity to ask questions & was very considerate on a hot day ensuring we walked in the shade whenever possible. Thanks Adam
Danny Taylor –
Adam never fails! We’ve done a few walks with him and other London Walks guides and they’ve all been informative and entertaining. The swinging 60s walk could easily have gone for another hour, as we didn’t go through Carnaby Street or Soho. (Essentially THE swinging 60s) The walk, through the mewses of the West End were fascinating and Adam, as always told the stories beautifully.
Dale Hayden –
Did our second walk this week with Adam. We are spoiled. Adam sets the bar high for London Walks and doesn’t disappoint. We have done dozens of London Walks and often build our trips around them. Adam was the highlight of this trip. Already planning on returning in two months to find another tour lead by Adam. The walk cover more than expected about the Swinging Sixties. Do this walk and you will not be disappointed.
Linda P –
Informative and fun, especially as we had worked in the area and had known some of the characters that were mentioned. Adam’s knowledge and descriptions, plus the addition of music, brought the whole walk to life. Definitely to be recommended
Øystein Bråthen –
A very interesting and funny walk about music, people and culture in the 60’s. Adam is a really good guide and storyteller.
Sylvia Wier –
Swinging ‘60s was the third tour I have taken over the years that was led by Adam. His tours are an absolute delight. He is informative and funny and he is good about interacting with his group. You can’t go wrong on one of his tours.