“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:
Darren Ruston –
A really insightful look into some of the murkier waters of the Swinging 60’s and full of fascinating facts about some of the lesser known movers and shakers, including “Groovy Bob” who sounds like he could have a walk to himself! Adam’s knowledge of his subject combined with his colourful, flamboyant and vivid descriptions of the period make this walk a must, particularly if you have an interest in the culture, people and architecture of the 60’s. Thanks, Adam.
Darren Ruston –
A really insightful look into some of the murkier waters of the Swinging 60’s and full of fascinating facts about some of the lesser known movers and shakers, including “Groovy Bob” who sounds like he could have a walk to himself! Adam’s knowledge of his subject combined with his colourful, flamboyant and vivid descriptions of the period make this walk a must, particularly if you have an interest in the culture, people and architecture of the 60’s. Thanks, Adam.
Stuart Thomson –
A fabulous mix of music, film, culture, counter culture and architecture which all bring the swinging sixties to life. Adam’s stories, wonderfully told, make the whole walk a total joy.
Malcolm Fraser –
So good to be immersed in a time when London was such a ferment of radical creativity. Fun and knowledge-packed.
Helen Lucas –
A really wonderful walking tour of a scandal laden period, absolutely loved seeing all the spots where the famous events happened and Adam our guide added extra detail which prompted lots of interesting discussion with our group. Highly recommend this tour.