T. S. Eliot – The Waste Land Tour
Blackfriars underground station, London
Guided by Rick Jones
Adult: £20 · Students & Seniors: £15 · Children: £5
Walk Times
| Day | Walk Type | Start Time | End Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | Weekly | 11.30 am | 1.30 pm | Winter Summer | Reserve Online |
N.B. this walk will not take place on the following dates:
26-08-2026By walk’s end you’ll get it about this portrait, understand why it’s so “right.” Just as you’ll understand the poem and the times.
“Inexplicable splendour of Ionian white and gold…”
And a world-class guide to boot.
T. S. Eliot’s The Waste Land. The most influential poetic work of the 20th century. Because its centenary was just now “on the clock”
Rick Jones, a poet and musician* himself, has put together this tour of locations in the poem. Up Queen Victoria Street to where St Mary Woolnoth kept the hours, down King William Street to St Magnus the Martyr. And of course London Bridge and “a public bar in Lower Thames Street.”
“This walk has everything I want in a walking tour: a brilliant guide, an inspired route, lots of alleyways and hidden passageways, a secret garden, no end of surprises, fantastic A-List attractions, three stunning interiors, a pub, three rivers (two of them visible),
a heady mix of past and present London, London life surging and eddying all around us, gobsmacking “well I never” tiny details, and brilliant delivery of wondrous content (Rick doesn’t read those great lines, he’s memorised the whole poem – all of it anchored in the places he takes us to and what he shows us.) The walk’s a joy. And a revelation. I’ve come to the walk late – it’s been going six months now – so all I’m doing here is seconding what everybody who goes on it says. See the deluge of rave reviews it’s generated.” David Tucker
*”a poet and musician” hardly goes far enough. Rick guides his virtual tours in blank verse, he was the chief music critic for the Evening Standard for a decade, and he’s a top-flight Blue Badge guide.
The above photo was taken at the Athenaeum Club. It hangs outside the gentlemen’s lavatory.
And here’s Rick in action. Photo by walker Stephen Durham.
WHAT WILL I SEE?
Rick Jones’s T. S. Eliot The Waste Land walk has wonderful visuals.
A Selection from The Waste Land Portfolio
Here’s the grand finale (bears repeating, this one) – the view we get at walk’s end.
And here we are mid-walk. One of three superb interiors.
No words needed.
Single file into a secret garden.
Down the Thames at walk’s end, across the Thames at walk’s beginning
Not forgetting London Bridge Gatehouse.
Hurry up, please, it’s time…
“This way for The Waste Land walk, folks” (it’s London, stuff happens).
Want more walks like this? Check out our other literary tours of London.
Dily –
Fascinating, captivating and superbly told with a clear voice reciting poems, Shakespeare, opera, history of authors all connected to T S Eliot. The depth of Rick’s knowledge is immense and I learned a great deal about Eliot from his early personal life and education in America then in Paris and finally England.
Clare Mackinlay –
I did 6 tours in London, and this was easily the best. Rick painted an incredibly vivid picture of London during T S Eliot’s life. 11/10!
Kim B –
Rick was so knowledgeable and gave a fantastic tour on TS Eliot – he is passionate on the topic and has a great singing voice as he worked through the full poem by heart. ! It was the best tour we’ve done London! Recommend!
Richard O –
…Really fab walk with Rick Jones today….
….He’s an interesting fellow……clear voice ,touch of humour….the time just melted away….
We saw some great sights too….all linked to
T S Eliot famour poem….
Personally l know little of poetry……but l can say l do …!!
Well done Rick…..
For giving us all a great day….
Kind Regards……Richard
Zelda Mckillop Weber –
It was wonderful to follow in the footsteps of TS Eliot and to learn why and when he wrote the various parts situated in London. Rick has a beautiful voice and you can really appreciate his renderings of the poem. My husband is not a native speaker of English but he understood everything and enjoyed the walk very much.
Neil Gilkes –
Many thanks Rick for your fantastic interpretation and marvellous recitation and song.
If you are drawn to T S Eliot, don’t miss this walk.
Gordon Blackstock –
5 Stars to Rick and thanks for an excellent walk this morning
Jacky –
Rick Jones is a great guide – really enjoyed his recitations of The Wasteland, together with the odd song thrown in for good measure. Learned so much about both the City of London & T.S. Eliot’s life. Highly recommend.
stephen durham –
Simply brilliant. Rick was more than effective at bringing The Waste Land and TS Eliot to life through verbal eloquence, song, and humor. I was not well informed regarding the insights of the poem nor the life of TS Eliot. I left fully educated and extremely appreciative of this great work. Highly recommended
Janet Jenkins –
Two of the most enjoyable and educational hours I have spent in London. Thank you Rick.