charles dickens's london

charles dickens's london
Charles Dickens is one of the world's most famous authors. He was born in Portsmouth and died in Kent, but the majority of his life was spent in London. He knew London as well as any black cab driver and wandered its streets taking in all the different areas. He also witnessed the many varied people who lived there and would file this information away using it in his publications. He knew Borough and Southwark well.  No one knew why he had such a connection with this dark and dangerous part of town until his biography was written. All will be revealed. We start the walking tour at the only galleried inn left in London on Borough High Street where we talk about its associations with both Shakespeare and Charles Dickens.
The tour then continues through the area around Borough Market, down to the official Dickens's church in London and over to where he lived as a young boy. We will also visit hidden places in London such as the remains of a debtor's prison and learn how this influenced Little Dorrit. We will talk about the hardship of life in London, how he helped the plight of the poor and 'fallen women' and we will stop for a few minutes' contemplation at Crossbones graveyard, a notorious paupers' pit where prostitutes were buried. 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times!' We then cross the Thames entering the City to see where Charles Dickens based A Christmas Carol and Pickwick Papers. There are some wonderful hidden gems and old alleyways that look lost in time and have changed very little since Dickens was a lad (which is weirdly a Shakespearean expression!). This walking tour will show you the best places to visit and sights to see in London for any Dickens fan.
Length of Tour:​​
  • 2.0 hours

Price:​​
  • Starting from £270

Booking Recommendations:​​
  • Best taken most days and times!
Places / Areas Visited:
  • Borough
  • Southwark
  • City of London
  • London Bridge

What our guests are saying:


"This was one of the best tours! It was very fun and informative. We were taken to places we wouldn't otherwise venture to and was shown so much history of London from the original London bridge to prisons. From Charles Dickens residence to churches.
Our guide was very funny and charismatic and the tours usually attract couples. Not child friendly but at times very funny. I would definitely go again and recommend to my friends. Maybe this would be good to go as a group."
-KellyNukem, A TripAdvisor Review

READY TO BOOK?


Private tours start from £270. Contact Emma for details and pricing for your group. ​