Summer is an ideal time to explore the history of London and this programme of walks between July and September will include some new themes alongside the old favourites. The usual meeting places will be Leigh-on-Sea station, Fenchurch Street station although Some of the new themed walks will mean going to other stations to join the group.
If you are interested in coming along on any of these LONDON FOOTSTEPS walks then please let me know beforehand. You can get an off-peak rail ticket and the £5 cost of the walk is payable on the day. If you have a Senior Railcard or a Bus Pass then bring that along as well.
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Saturday, 11th July 2009
LONDON BRIDGE ANNIVERSARY FAYRE
You may like to enjoy a day out on the Bridge which will be closed to traffic all day. There will events, performers and stalls and plenty of entertainment – including sheep being driven across the Bridge by Freemen of the City of London. This is not a LONDON FOOTSTEPS walk.
Wednesday, 15th July 2009
CART-MARKING CEREMONY
This is another well-established tradition that takes place every year. The Carmen’s Livery Company organise a parade of wheeled vehicles through Guildhall Yard where the Lord Mayor performs the traditional ‘licensing’ with a branding iron! There will be a short City walk through the narrow streets and alleys around the Bank before and after the Cart-Marking Ceremony.
Meet at Leigh Station at 9.15 am or join the group at Fenchurch Street station near the ticket barriers at 10.30 am. Those who want to meet at Guildhall Yard can do so at 11 am.
Thursday, 24th July, 2009
COVENT GARDEN
One of the popular tourist areas of London holds many dark secrets. This was a an area that was created in the 17th century and was later to become one of the capital’s busiest fruit and vegetable markets. The walk follows in the footsteps of many great writers and artists and takes in Drury Lane, Long Acre and St. Martin’s Lane. It was the rich, aristocratic who flocked to the area yet close by was St. Giles, one of London’s most notorious slums.
Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station at 9.15 am or join the group at Fenchurch Street Station by the ticket barrier at 10.30 am. The walk starts at the Temple Station and you can meet there at 11.00.
If you are interested in coming along on any of these LONDON FOOTSTEPS walks then please let me know beforehand. You can get an off-peak rail ticket and the £5 cost of the walk is payable on the day. If you have a Senior Railcard or a Bus Pass then bring that along as well.
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Saturday, 11th July 2009
LONDON BRIDGE ANNIVERSARY FAYRE
You may like to enjoy a day out on the Bridge which will be closed to traffic all day. There will events, performers and stalls and plenty of entertainment – including sheep being driven across the Bridge by Freemen of the City of London. This is not a LONDON FOOTSTEPS walk.
Wednesday, 15th July 2009
CART-MARKING CEREMONY
This is another well-established tradition that takes place every year. The Carmen’s Livery Company organise a parade of wheeled vehicles through Guildhall Yard where the Lord Mayor performs the traditional ‘licensing’ with a branding iron! There will be a short City walk through the narrow streets and alleys around the Bank before and after the Cart-Marking Ceremony.
Meet at Leigh Station at 9.15 am or join the group at Fenchurch Street station near the ticket barriers at 10.30 am. Those who want to meet at Guildhall Yard can do so at 11 am.
Thursday, 24th July, 2009
COVENT GARDEN
One of the popular tourist areas of London holds many dark secrets. This was a an area that was created in the 17th century and was later to become one of the capital’s busiest fruit and vegetable markets. The walk follows in the footsteps of many great writers and artists and takes in Drury Lane, Long Acre and St. Martin’s Lane. It was the rich, aristocratic who flocked to the area yet close by was St. Giles, one of London’s most notorious slums.
Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station at 9.15 am or join the group at Fenchurch Street Station by the ticket barrier at 10.30 am. The walk starts at the Temple Station and you can meet there at 11.00.
Friday, 31st July, 2009
INK SPOTS
Fleet Street was once the home of Britain’s newspaper industry – but not any more. The great names of journalism are still remembered in and around the narrow streets and alley ways so our walk traces the literary history of the area and recalls some of the Fleet Street stories stretching back 600 years. We start on the steps of St. Paul’s Cathedral and finish near Chancery Lane Station.
Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station at 9.15 am or join the group at Fenchurch Street Station at 10.30 am. Those who want to meet at St. Paul’s should wait at the Queen Anne statue at the front steps of the Cathedral (11.30 am)
Wednesday, 12th August, 2009
DOCKLANDS
This riverside area has changed dramatically in the past 30 years yet behind the towering office blocks and smart shopping arcades is a fascinating story of poverty and wealth, slave trading and long hours of work in terible conditions. Life in Docklands was harsh yet it was right at the heart of Britain’s world-wide trading empire. Those who come on this walk may like to visit the Museum of Docklands afterwards.
Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station at 9.00 am. We travel to Limehouse and then get the Docklands Light Railway. Those joining the group at Docklands can meet at Canary Wharf Station (DLR) at 10.45 am.
Wednesday, 2nd September 2009
THE GREAT FIRE OF LONDON
It was on this day in 1666 that the fire started in Thomas Farryner’s bakery. Fires were not unusual in the City but this time it was to have disastrous consequences. Over 70 per cent of the buildings were reduced to smouldering ruins. The commercial life of the City was devastated and thousands were homeless. This walk traces the course of the fire from its start near the Monument until the flames finally died down four days later near the Old Bailey.
Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station at 9.15 am or on the forecourt of Fenchurch Street Station at 10.30 am
Tuesday, 15th September, 2009
STROLLING IN SOUTHWARK
This area was once part of the City of London so its history and importance stretches back 2,000 years. Away from the busy streets around Borough Market and the riverside attractions of Bankside, Southwark has a turbulent history which touches on the worlds of Chaucer, Shakespeare and Dickens as well as having a fair share of crime and poverty.
Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station at 9.15 am. Alternatively, you can join the group by meeting us outside W.H.Smith on the forecourt of London Bridge Station at 11.30 am.
Weekend, 19th & 20th September, 2009
OPEN HOUSE IN LONDON
This is an opportunity for you to visit some of the historic places of interest which are not normally open to the public. The City and West End attract thousands of people over the two days so it’s worth finding out what’s open and planning where you want to go and what you want to see.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ANY OF THESE WALKS THEN PLEASE LET ME KNOW. NUMBERS ON SOME OF THE WALKS ARE LIMITED. IF YOU WANT MORE DETAILS THEN CALL ME ON 01702 710232 OR SEND AN EMAIL TO davidwilliams@dwmedia.co.uk
