Scheduled Walks

Tuesday 18^th March– Victorian City. The Victorians made their mark on the City with new roads, railways, bridges and buildings of distinction. This walk explores the south-western part of the City in search of its Victorian heritage. Meet at Blackfriars Station at 11am.

Thursday 27^th March – Lower Belgravia. The area between Sloane Square and Victoria lies partly in the Cadogan estate and partly in the Grosvenor estate. It has been home to Mozart, Noel Coward and others and today has some of the most expensive property in London. Meet in the centre of Sloane Square (next to the fountain) at 11am.

Wednesday 9^th April – Vauxhall. The site of the medieval Falke’s Hall, Vauxhall became a popular 18^th century playground with the Vauxhall Pleasure Garden near the river and the Oval cricket ground. With the decline of the Pleasure Garden however, Vauxhall became a very mixed environment of Victorian middle-class terraces, artisan cottages and Peabody buildings. It is still a vibrant mix of people – and a few spies! Starts at 11am from outside Vauxhall tube station.

 Wednesday 23^rd April– Beer, Burials and William Booth (Whitechapel, Stepney and Mile End). Until the 18^th century, Whitechapel, Stepney and Mile End were small hamlets. However, over time, they have merged into one another. They were poor places and the first stopping places for generations of immigrants – French Huguenots, East European Jews and more recently a large number from Asia. Meet at 11am outside Whitechapel station.  

Friday 9^th May – Knightsbridge. This is the first of 2 walks in Knightsbridge (Part 2 will be in the Autumn series). It covers the area between Hyde Park Corner and Harrods. The area south of the road that runs from Hyde Park Corner to Brompton Road was developed in the early 19^th century on land owned by the Dukes of Westminster and the Earls of Cadogan. Since then, these elegant squares and crescents have been home to the aristocracy, politicians, writers, artists, the rich and famous. Meet at 11am at Hyde Park Corner, outside the entrance to the Lanesborough Hotel.    

Monday 19^th May – Putney / Fulham. The village of Putney probably dates from the 15^th century but with the building of the first Putney Bridge in 1729, Putney became a fashionable suburb, which it still is. North of the bridge is Fulham Palace, the home of the Bishops of London until 1973. This walk starts outside the entrance to Putney railway station at 11am and takes you through central Putney and over the bridge to Fulham.

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Tuesday 3^rd June – Soho. (Private Eye, 2is and a Beady Eye). Soho has been linked with the sex industry for over 200 years, but it is also associated with the music industry and as a social venue for writers, artists, politicians and entertainers. Due to the narrow pavements and general congestion in the area, this walk is limited to 15 people with pre-payment on booking. However, the walk will be repeated on 6^th June (see below). Meet outside Foyle’s Bookshop, Charing Cross Road at 11am.  

Friday 6^th June – Soho. (Private Eye, 2is and a Beady Eye). Soho has been linked with the sex industry for over 200 years, but it is also associated with the music industry and as a social venue for writers, artists, politicians and entertainers. This walk is limited to 15 people with pre-payment on booking. Meet outside Foyle’s Bookshop, Charing Cross Road at 11am.  

Friday 4^th July – Little Venice. Little Venice is a comparatively recent name for parts of Paddington and Maida Vale bordering the Paddington arm of the Grand Union Canal and the Regent’s Canal. On one side is the mixed area around Paddington Green but to the west and north are scores of upmarket Regency style terraces, popular with actors, artists and writers. So, why not come ‘gongozzling’ in Little Venice. Meet at 11am opposite Edgware Road tube station (Bakerloo Line exit).