SPLASH OF COLOUR ON A WET SUNDAY

Some people may think that wandering round Hackney, Hoxton and Shoreditch on a wet Sunday morning can be depressing. Wrong! The weather makes no difference if you are taking in the markets at Columbia Road, Cheshire Street, Brick Lane and Spitalfields. Try it sometime.

The atmosphere in the Columbia Road flower market was colourful - in every sense. This is where to find a bargain bloom, some eye-catching ornaments and pots for the garden and trays of bedding plants at knock-down prices. Get there early if you want to find some parking space - because by 2.00 pm it's finished.

There are some remarkable Victorian terraces around the market - at remarkable prices! Yet back in the 1970s the developers were hovering around, bulldozing large areas and putting up some pretty dreadful-looking blocks of flats. Some of the old rows of terraced houses from the late 1800s have survived - Elwin Street and Quilter Street for example - and there are other buildings - schools, churches, old industrial premises - which remind you of the days when living conditions in the East End were harsh and bringing up large families was a tough prospect.

Now in Brick Lane and Spitalfields you have glossy shops which are at the cutting edge of fashion and design; restaurants that serve a bewildering choice of Asian food and numerous stalls selling everything from mobile phones to bicycles. It's a vibrant and heady concoction of races, cultures and language. Try it one Sunday and you won't be disappointed.

If you want to know more about walking the streets of London then take a look at our special programme covering May to September. Later in the Summer there's a Spitalfields walk scheduled - and you could book a place now.

SUMMER PROGRAMME OF WALKS

Now here's where I start with a compliment and a word of thanks to a group from Bournemouth U3A who came on one of my walks in March.


"We were so delighted with the walk, even to the extent that a person who had lived in London saw places she had not seen before. What a knowledge you have."

Thanks ladies and gents from Bournemouth. Your comments are appreciated. They arrived in my e-mail box just as I was preparing the Summer programme of walks.

There are some real goodies on offer - as well as the usual favourites. Groups as well as individuals are very welcome and if you want to name the date then that's no problem. I recently had a couple from Boston who only had a few days here - and what could I offer? The answer was a special version of my "INTRODUCTION TO THE CITY" walk and they were delighted.

So remember, if there's a special area of the City you would like to visit and have a date in mind, give me a call or send an e-mail. Here's a selection of the morning walks I have to offer in May and June. They are leisurely 2-hour strolls with regular stops so that I can point of places, events and people who have made a contribution to London's history.

Saturday 13th May

THE FLOW OF HISTORY
Another chance to take a stroll along the Thames path from the Tower of London and appreciate how the river has played such a defining role in the growth of the City.

Saturday 3rd June

THE LAST BURIAL GROUND IN THE CITY
This is another secret of the City – and to find it we head beyond the Barbican to the four acre cemetery at Bunhill Fields. It is the only remaining burial ground in London, the last resting place for some of the remarkable people who have contributed to the history of the City. And on the way, we pass more of those green spaces and gardens which encourages nature to thrive amongst the high-rise buildings.

Wednesday, 14th June

THE RIVER THAMES POLICE MUSEUM and WAPPING WALK
The visit to the Thames Police Museum at Wapping (11.30 am) is a special arrangement and we have to book beforehand. There are 20 places available on the visit which is part of a walk that takes in St Katherine’s dock, Shadwell Basin, the riverside inns, Execution Dock and the old dockland heart of London.

Saturday, 17th June

INTRODUCTION TO THE CITY
For those who want a general picture of the way London has developed over the last 2,000 years then this ever-popular walk is a must. You go through the streets, alleys and narrow passageways; see some of the finest Wren churches and grand buildings and learn something about the people and events that have made the City so inspiring.


To find out more email david@londonfootsteps.co.uk You will want to know where to meet and what time.