The Old Palace Quarter
Green Park underground station, London (Green Park exit, by the fountain)
Guided by Claire or Jan or Karen or Peter
Walk Times
| Day | Walk Type | Start Time | End Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | Weekly | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Winter Summer | Reserve Online |
Short read: “I’d put this one in the top three of the 59 different London Walks that I’m personally able to guide. It’s got everything I want in a walk” (David).
Long read: Okay, that’s the “opinion” – here’s what it’s based on. 1) It’s olde, vintage London. There are secret passageways that take you into the 16th-century. And the 18th-century is par for the course. It’s so well preserved it’s a miracle the whole neighbourhood hasn’t been sold off to a museum. 2) So, as you’d expect, visually it’s very appealing.
3) It’s storied. It’s storied because it’s full of character, full of characters, and marinated in history. 4) It’s nooked and crannied. Why is that important? “Well, maybe it’s just me, but I like to see things other people don’t get to see” (David again). 5) It’s got wonderful guides. Their names are Jan, Peter, Claire and Karen (winner of the big one –the Tourist Board’s Guide of the Year Award).
THE OLD PALACE QUARTER – PRACTICALS
The Old Palace Quarter walk takes place at 2.30 pm every* Friday. The meeting point is just outside the Green Park exit – by the fountain – of Green Park Tube Stop. N.B. the walk ends at St. James’ Palace, a couple of minutes’ walk in the Park from Green Park Tube. Though putting it thus – “walk in the Park” – borders on lèse-majesté. Because it’s the most exclusive walk in the Park. It’s the Queen’s Walk – the royal promenade! *Not Dec. 25
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE GUIDING
Don’t just take it from us…
LONDON WALKS REVIEWS
“The original and best – there are several companies offering walking tours of London but London Walks (London’s oldest) is easily the pick of the bunch” London, Cadogan Guide
“award-winning London Walks are unrivalled for quality and range” American in Britain Magazine
“Best Tourism Experience in London” Gold Medal Winner, Visit London
“27th December 2.30 pm. Sunny afternoon. Jan led a wonderful tour which was easy to follow (in more ways than one), and full of historical and architectural facts. I’ve been on a few of these over the years and all have been well-researched, well-led and ideal for me and my three 20-something kids. We went to a walk the day before (Boxing Day) but the rainy weather was so horrendous that we bailed out 20 mins before it started. The ‘just turn up’ policy is ideal for such situations but I felt a bit guilty nevertheless. These walls take place whatever the weather.” nigelw101, Lincolnshire UK, TripAdvisor, December 2019
LONDON WALKS PRIVATE WALKS
If you can’t make one of the regularly scheduled, just-turn-up, public Old Palace Quarter walks do think about booking one as a private tour. If you go private you can have the Old Palace Quarter Walk – or any other London Walk – on a day and at a time that suits your convenience. We’ll tailor it to your requirements. And – always with private London Walks and tours – we go to great lengths to make sure the guide-walker(s) “fit” is well-nigh perfect. Ring Fiona or Peter or Niamh 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 present – be it a birthday or anniversary or get-to-know-your-new neighbourhood gift 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 SOUPÇON
“a world of clubby, oak-panelled rooms”
MIND THE GAP
LONDON WALKS WILD CARD
You’ll see where God was killed.
LONDON WALKS – STREETS AHEAD!
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE GUIDING
“If this were a golf tournament every name on the Leader Board would be a London Walks guide”
LONDON WALKS CODA
Want a racier description of the walk? Try this: if you’re prim and prudish better give this one a miss. Because this walk’s, well, juicy. This area’s 1660s Party Town. It’s the historical ‘Rock n’ Roll’ walk of the swinging 1660s and beyond. Real life ‘Game of Thrones’ stuff. Bedroom antics back then – and hey presto it’s Jon Snow the bastard today. Not to mention Samantha Cameron. So, yes, Hello Party Town! Welcome to Love Nests out West! The chapter headings are delicious and salacious – let alone dizzying, dazzling, sizzling, dumbfounding. Maiden Lepers. The Return of the King. Boots Washed in the Froth of the Finest Champagne. Duels in Pickering. Legover London & Mistresses off the Mall. Bowler Hats. Human Toilets. James Bond. Raindrops Keep Falling on My Bet. Her Majesty’s Secret Service. The Assassinated Racehorse. The American Bar Associations. The Man Who Laid Down His Wife for His Country. The Prime Minister and the Actress. ‘Well [Giggle] He Would, Wouldn’t He?’ And that’s just for starters.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Avril Coleman –
The 6 of us us who did this tour mid March thoroughly enjoyed it. Karen was so entertaining and engaging and brought us through several little passage ways that opened up into little hidden gems. You would probably never venture down some of these thinking they were private. The two hours was over so fast. A fabulous afternoon, off the beaten track and even some rain and drizzle could not dampen it. Thank you so much . We would highly recommend. 👍🏼⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Valerie –
As a Londoner born and bred I was amazed at how little I knew about this area of London, even though I had actually worked there for several years and thought I knew it quite well. Claire was very entertaining and interesting with facts and stories. I loved learning about all the places that are hidden in plain sight! I highly recommend this delightful tour with Claire.
Ilsa Bick –
This was a first-rate walk. Claire was incredibly knowledgeable and although we “know” that area of town, this is the first time we’ve gotten a true history. We especially appreciated all those lovely little courtyards. And who knew that “mews” are a perversion of the French for “moult?” If you want to know why THAT is, take this walk!
Olga V –
Thank you ,Claire and London walks.
As usual it was fabulous, entertaining and informative.