Charles Dickens Old London - A Private Tour

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Duration:3 hours to 4 hours (approx.)
Location: London, England

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Treat yourself to a private and bespoke tour at your own pace to the sites immortalised by one of the most famous authors in the world, Charles Dickens. This tour takes you on a journey through Dickens life, and to the very sites that still survive much as he would have remembered them. Your guide will bring to life the Hidden Courts, Alleys and Taverns featured in novels such as Oliver Twist, The Old Curiosity Shop, Little Doritt and many more. The tour includes free entry to the Charles Dickens Museum located in the very house he wrote Oliver Twist, Nicholas Nickleby and The Pickwick Papers.
• See the places Charles Dickens lived and worked
• Real locations featured in the stories
• Includes free entry to Charles Dickens Museum
• Explore hidden Alleys, Courts, and Taverns
• A private tour at your leisure - No rushing or strict schedule!
• Met direct at your London accommodation
• Includes hidden sites

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1.
The tour begins in the area where a young Charles Dickens spent some of his childhood. A time and place that would haunt the author for the rest of his life. He later used this area as the main setting in the novel Little Doritt. We will tour all the back streets and discuss Dickens early family life.
2. Crossbones Graveyard & Garden of Remembrance
To highlight the poverty and desperate conditions that Dickens often based his works upon, we will make a stop at Crossbones Graveyard. This is a former burial ground for the outcasts of society deemed unsuitable for a proper Christian burial. Mainly prostitutes and their illegitimate children. Ironically enough these prostitutes were licenced by the Bishop of Winchester, and known as the Winchester Geese. In Dickens time it was said that after a storm or heavy rain, bones would stick out of the ground, eventually leading to the site being closed. It was rediscovered in the 1990's, and now offers a place of peace and memorial to those outside of social conventions.
3.
London's only surviving galleried Inn, and often referred to as 'Shakesperes local' as the famous bard is said to have performed plays in the courtyard. Charles Dickens was also known to drink at the Inn and most famously mentions the historic Tavern in Little Doritt . One of London's oldest and most historic pubs.
4. Borough Market
We will walk through the world famous Borough Market and head to the steps where Nancy waited for Mr Brownlow in Oliver Twist. It may be hard to resist all the pleasant smells coming from the food stalls on the market, but feel free to have a browse. There has been a market on this site since the 1400's and it would have been a lively place Dickens knew well.
5.
Let's get off the beaten path and head deep into the world of Ebeneezer Scrooge and 'A Christmas Carol' as we visit Scrooge's Counting House, the place where he took supper on Christmas Eve, and Charles Dickens favourite Chop House the George and Vulture. If Dickens was on this tour with us, he would be able to go in to the George and Vulture, find his favourite table, and even order his favourite meal. Not a lot has changed. This atmospheric old tavern was the meeting place of the Pickwick Club and is mentioned over 20 times in the Pickwick Papers. The equally unchanged Tavern round the corner, Simpsons is most likely Scrooge's favourite eating spot. Your guide will explain why!
6. Leadenhall Market
Featured in A Christmas Carol, and most recently as a filming location for the Harry Potter Movies.
7. Royal Exchange Building London
Right next to the Bank of England, the Royal Exchange is where the Ghost of Christmas yet to come takes Scrooge to see his colleagues discussing his funeral. The steps of the Exchange are the traditional spot where Royal announcements are made. Today you can cross the trading floor, but the bankers are long gone. Now designer shops, and Champagne bars attract the visitors attention.
8.
A Tavern with Cellars dating to the 13th Century. This Pub was a haunt of Dickens and a meeting place for the Hellfire Club. David Copperfield drinks here in the Novel of the same name.
9. The Old Curiosity Shop
This Tudor building was already 300 years old when Dickens wrote about it. Amazingly it still stands surrounded by buildings of the modern world. Imortalised by Dickens as The Old Curiosity Shop. Then we will walk through the areas a young Dickens worked and lived, and the location of Fagins Den in Oliver Twist.
10. Inner Temple
Let's explore the area where Dicken's worked as a junior Clerk. From the mysterious Inns of Court he took inspiration that would later find it's way in to David Copperfield, Great Expectations, and Martin Chuzzlewit.
11. Charles Dickens Museum
The tour ends at the Charles Dickens Museum. This was the Authors home from 1837, and from these rooms Charles Dickens released Pickwick Papers and Oliver Twist. Your tour includes entry to the house.

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Posted By : jerrydI1264XG
Last September on a visit to London my wife and I arranged a tour of Chartwell and Biggin Airfield with Richard, and we had a wonderful time (see my earlier review for details). So, when we knew we would be in London in April with our daughter and her husband, I contacted Richard about setting up a walking tour of old London for the four of us, as I knew from chatting with him on our previous visit that he was extremely knowledgeable about English literature and London history.

As was the case in September, we thoroughly enjoyed a delightful day with the best tour guide we've ever used. Richard guided us on a walk from the Tower of London to Covent Garden, pointing out sites and buildings of importance in London history, as well as historic pubs, movie locations, and many fascinating sites associated with the life and work of Charles Dickens and other favorite authors (e.g., Arthur Conan Doyle). Richard's knowledge of "all things London" is simply incredible.

Though all four in our group have made numerous trips to London over the years, every stop we made on our walk was a new experience for us. Richard definitely knows the "hidden gems" of the city, and we all agreed that our six-hour walk was a most memorable and enjoyable learning experience - and definitely among the highlights of all our many travel experiences in England.

Our walking tour was well-paced and very well organized. In addition to being knowledgeable and totally prepared, Richard is also extremely personable and engaging. I honestly cannot imagine a better tour guide for a visit to London. If you are looking for an exceptional travel experience, contact Richard!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2022-04-25 15:04:49

Posted By : Denise_B
Richard was fun, engaging, knowledgeable and flexible. We enjoyed his company immensely. Very happy with our experience!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2022-03-06 04:07:36

Retrieving available

Tickets

Charles Dickens Old London - A Private Tour

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1.

2. Crossbones Graveyard & Garden of Remembrance

3.

4. Borough Market

5.

6. Leadenhall Market

7. Royal Exchange Building London

8.

9. The Old Curiosity Shop

10. Inner Temple

11. Charles Dickens Museum

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY

Partner Resources

How it works

Travel

Insurance

Adventure

Contact

Retrieving available

Tickets

Charles Dickens Old London - A Private Tour

WHAT'S INCLUDED ⟱

WHAT TO EXPECT ⟱

1.

2. Crossbones Graveyard & Garden of Remembrance

3.

4. Borough Market

5.

6. Leadenhall Market

7. Royal Exchange Building London

8.

9. The Old Curiosity Shop

10. Inner Temple

11. Charles Dickens Museum

ADDITIONAL INFO ⟱

CANCELLATION POLICY ⟱

Partner Resources

How it works

Travel

Insurance

Adventure

Contact

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY