The programme of walks for May-July is now available - a mix of old favourites and something new. There are visits to the SANDYS ROW SYNAGOGUE and DRAPERS HALL, a chance to see the old CART-MARKING CEREMONY at Guildhall and a new walk, HOW ABOUT HOLBORN?
If you want to know more about how you can book a place on these walks then just contact DAVID WILLIAMS. Don't waste a minute. Numbers are limited and it works on a pre-booking first come-first served principle.
Thursday, 22nd May 2008
SECRET CITY GARDENS
London in late Spring is when the colours of nature transform the streets, squares and alleyways. The window boxes are in bloom and the Corporation Parks Department work overtime to maintain the 150 green spaces and churchyards that are so important in a City that is continually changing and growing. Come and see for yourself!
Meet at 9.15 a.m. at Leigh-on-Sea Station or 11 am at the ticket barrier of Platform 11 at Liverpool Street Station.
Tuesday, 27th May 2008
THE JEWS AND THE CITY
A visit to the oldest Ashkenazi synagogue in England, Sandys Row, will start this visit to the Spitalfields area. Since coming to Britain with the Norman invaders, the Jews have been an integral part of London’s financial and commercial life and their history is a feature of this walk on the fringes of the City. This walk will cost £7.
Meet at 9.00 a.m. at Leigh-on-Sea Station or 10.30 am at the ticket barrier of Platform 11 at Liverpool Street Station.
Wednesday, 4th June 2008
MURDER, MEAT AND MEDICINE
The walk starts near Smithfield meat market and you won’t be surprised to learn that this was also a place of hangings, riots and bawdy entertainment. The surgeons and doctors at nearby St Bart’s Hospital, founded in the 12th century, were always busy but their skill has saved many lives over the past 900 years. There’s also a chance to visit the Hospital museum with its famous Hogarth wall murals.
Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station 9.15 a.m. or outside the entrance to
Barbican Station at 11 am.
SECRET CITY GARDENS
London in late Spring is when the colours of nature transform the streets, squares and alleyways. The window boxes are in bloom and the Corporation Parks Department work overtime to maintain the 150 green spaces and churchyards that are so important in a City that is continually changing and growing. Come and see for yourself!
Meet at 9.15 a.m. at Leigh-on-Sea Station or 11 am at the ticket barrier of Platform 11 at Liverpool Street Station.
Tuesday, 27th May 2008
THE JEWS AND THE CITY
A visit to the oldest Ashkenazi synagogue in England, Sandys Row, will start this visit to the Spitalfields area. Since coming to Britain with the Norman invaders, the Jews have been an integral part of London’s financial and commercial life and their history is a feature of this walk on the fringes of the City. This walk will cost £7.
Meet at 9.00 a.m. at Leigh-on-Sea Station or 10.30 am at the ticket barrier of Platform 11 at Liverpool Street Station.
Wednesday, 4th June 2008
MURDER, MEAT AND MEDICINE
The walk starts near Smithfield meat market and you won’t be surprised to learn that this was also a place of hangings, riots and bawdy entertainment. The surgeons and doctors at nearby St Bart’s Hospital, founded in the 12th century, were always busy but their skill has saved many lives over the past 900 years. There’s also a chance to visit the Hospital museum with its famous Hogarth wall murals.
Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station 9.15 a.m. or outside the entrance to
Barbican Station at 11 am.
Monday, 9th June 2008
VISIT TO DRAPERS HALL
The history and role of the Livery companies are little-known to outsiders but have played a significant part in the development of the City of London since the 13th century. The Drapers are one of the 108 companies that still flourish and you will not be disappointed by seeing the grandeur and opulence of their building in the heart of the City. This visit and short walk will cost £8
Meet at 9.00 a.m. at Leigh-on-Sea Station or 10.15 am at the ticket barrier of the main entrance of Fenchurch Street Station.
Wednesday, 18th June 2008
CART-MARKING CEREMONY (Guildhall Yard)
Some of the ceremonies and traditions of the City seem like a throwback to another age – and this is one of them. Cart-marking began in 1681 when carts and ‘carrs’ required a licence – or mark - from the Common Council and the ancient ceremony, held annually by the Worshipful Company of Carmen - survives as another curious reminder of the City’s long and eventful history.
Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station at 9.00 a.m. or 10.00 a.m. outside the main entrance of Fenchurch Street Station.
Thursday, 3rd July 2008
ROTHERHITHE AND DOCKLANDS
This area south of the river is now re-named Surrey Quays. The transformation since the Surrey Commercial Docks were closed in the 1980s is startling yet the maritime traditions live on. The Pilgrim Fathers set sail for America and the first underwater tunnel in the worldwas built by the Marc Brunel and his son. We also visit a Norwegian church for coffee and waffles!
Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station at 9.15 a.m. Those who want to join at Rotherhithe should meet at Canada Water Station (Jubilee Line) at 11 a.m.
VISIT TO DRAPERS HALL
The history and role of the Livery companies are little-known to outsiders but have played a significant part in the development of the City of London since the 13th century. The Drapers are one of the 108 companies that still flourish and you will not be disappointed by seeing the grandeur and opulence of their building in the heart of the City. This visit and short walk will cost £8
Meet at 9.00 a.m. at Leigh-on-Sea Station or 10.15 am at the ticket barrier of the main entrance of Fenchurch Street Station.
Wednesday, 18th June 2008
CART-MARKING CEREMONY (Guildhall Yard)
Some of the ceremonies and traditions of the City seem like a throwback to another age – and this is one of them. Cart-marking began in 1681 when carts and ‘carrs’ required a licence – or mark - from the Common Council and the ancient ceremony, held annually by the Worshipful Company of Carmen - survives as another curious reminder of the City’s long and eventful history.
Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station at 9.00 a.m. or 10.00 a.m. outside the main entrance of Fenchurch Street Station.
Thursday, 3rd July 2008
ROTHERHITHE AND DOCKLANDS
This area south of the river is now re-named Surrey Quays. The transformation since the Surrey Commercial Docks were closed in the 1980s is startling yet the maritime traditions live on. The Pilgrim Fathers set sail for America and the first underwater tunnel in the worldwas built by the Marc Brunel and his son. We also visit a Norwegian church for coffee and waffles!
Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station at 9.15 a.m. Those who want to join at Rotherhithe should meet at Canada Water Station (Jubilee Line) at 11 a.m.
Wednesday, 9th July 2008
HOW ABOUT HOLBORN?
It is hard to imagine that Holborn, on the western edge of the City, was an overcrowded, squalid area with a reputation for hard-drinking, prostitution and crime. Charles Dickens lived in the area and was shocked by what he saw happening on his doorstep. Today, it is closely associated with publishing and the legal profession but behind the modern office blocks are some intriguing stories.
Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station 9.15 a.m. or in the booking-hall of Chancery Lane Station (Central Line) at 11 am
HOW ABOUT HOLBORN?
It is hard to imagine that Holborn, on the western edge of the City, was an overcrowded, squalid area with a reputation for hard-drinking, prostitution and crime. Charles Dickens lived in the area and was shocked by what he saw happening on his doorstep. Today, it is closely associated with publishing and the legal profession but behind the modern office blocks are some intriguing stories.
Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station 9.15 a.m. or in the booking-hall of Chancery Lane Station (Central Line) at 11 am
