N.B. this walk will not take place on the following dates:
06-06-2025
“It was the best of walks, it was the best of walks…..” Charles Dickens and Guide David
Short read: A sojourn into a lost city – an Atlantis.
Long read: Dickens and London? He wrote London. You read him, it’s part of you, you’re part of it. Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, Little Dorrit – all part of English literature. Same goes for walking his London. Pip’s lodgings in Great Expectations (“who enters here leaves noise behind”); the bank which employed “resurrection man” Jerry Cruncher in A Tale of Two Cities; Tulkinghorn’s chambers (“where lawyers lie like maggots in nuts”) in Bleak House; even the “original” Old Curiosity Shop (or is it?).
Dickens’ immortal Sam Weller had “extensive and peculiar” knowledge of Dickensian London. This walk keeps that tradition alive. Tradition and peculiar being the watchwords. Because we thread our way into a Victorian London of nooks and crannies and alleyways and gas lamps and 18th- and 19th-century houses – and no cars! It’s the part of London where Dickens lived and worked: Embankment, Charing Cross, Strand, Rules Restaurant, Covent Garden, Wellington St, St Mary ‘in the Way’, Old Curiosity Shop, LSE, Central Law Courts on Fleet St, Childs Bank (formerly on Fleet St) and Inner Temple. It’s the London of David Copperfield and Pip and Pickwick papers. It’s “Inimitable” – like Dickens himself.
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE GUIDING
Don’t just take it from us…
MEET YOUR GUIDE
Get to know David P.– find out a bit about him (spoiler alert, he’s warm, friendly, and ever so likable). All of which well and truly comes across in this recent London Calling podcast interview I did with him.
THE CHARLES DICKENS’ LONDON WALK – THE PRACTICALS
The Charles Dickens’ London Walk takes place every*Friday at 2.30 pm. The meeting point is just outside the Villiers Street exit of Embankment Underground Station Tube. *Not Dec. 25
LONDON WALKS PRIVATE WALKS
If you can’t make one of the regularly scheduled, just-turn-up, Charles Dickens's London it can always be booked as a private tour. If you go private you can have the Charles Dickens's London walk – or any other London Walk – on a day and at a time that suits your convenience. We’ll tailor it to your requirements. Ring Fiona or Mary on 020 7624 3978 or email us at [email protected] and we’ll set it up and make it happen for you. A private London Walk – they’re good value for an individual or couple and sensational value for a group – makes an ideal group or educational or birthday party or office (team-building) or club outing.
GIVE THE GIFT OF LONDON WALKS
A private London Walk makes a fab gift – be it a birthday or anniversary or Christmas present or whatever. Merchandise schmerchandise (gift wrapped or not) – but giving someone an experience, now that’s special. Memories make us rich.
We’ve had the priviledge to take part in an amazing Charles Dickens tour led by Richard (3rd), who’s been extremely kind, informative and clear. It’s been a great experience! Thank you Richard! PS: I found a very good and cheap second-hand copy of C. Tomalin’s book on Dickens. Thanks for mentioning and recommending such a reliable and thourough biography!
Rated 5 out of 5
Linda Tournade –
David P. is one of London’s best tour guides! I thoroughly enjoyed his Dickens tour and loved spending time with him and our small group in Ye Olde Chesire Cheese (which Dickens frequented) at the end.
Rated 5 out of 5
Catherine Kriske –
We went on the Dickens walk with Richard III. As lifelong Charles Dickens fans it was everything we could have asked for. Richard was knowledgeable and witty. He kept the pace just right. We learned so much!
Rated 5 out of 5
Mark Baldwin –
Excellent walk! David is an expectational guide who ensured everyone was enjoying the walk and tended to a few special needs of some of the attendees.
Message to David: I related that Bar in street names refers to barricade; I was mistaken it refers to a barbican.
Rated 5 out of 5
Andrea B. –
Excellent! London walks were recommended to me & having now gone on 2 in 2 days, I’m so very happy for the recommendation. Richard III was my guide for both the Charles Dickens & Notting Hill & Portobello Market walks. Both were wonderful. I learned so much from Richard. He walks at an easy pace, with frequent pauses to deliver a fascinating bit of history. Richard is a terrific story teller; just a delightful guide. Many thanks! I’ll be joining again soon. 🙂
Rated 5 out of 5
Terri Kutner –
My husband and I loved Richard 3’s Charles Dickens tour. In fact it was one of the highlights of our recent 10 day trip to London. My husband was ambivalent about going on a Dickens tour since he had last read Dickens in high school but was willing to go. Richard was so knowledgeable about not only Dickens but the buildings, geography, society and economy of Dickens’ London that he enabled us to see London through Dickens’ eyes. Highly recommend this tour and Richard 3.
Rated 5 out of 5
Neil & Rose Cole’s –
Dickens Walk with Richard III Friday 27th October 23 . This was a very interesting and informative walk around Dicken’s London Richard was a superb guide with great knowledge delivered with humour . We highly recommend this.
Rated 5 out of 5
Kat Saunders –
A fantastic Charles Dickens walk with Richard 3rd. Loved Richards delivery & dry wit, just added to his knowledge on his subject.
Really loved the walk & totally recommend.
Next the Victorian walk & will def request Richard.
Rated 5 out of 5
Kathleen –
Loved our Dickens tour with David. We visited areas and side streets of London area that we never would have if not have taken the tour. David was enthusiastic and passionate and knowledgeable about Dickens. Loved this tour!!! Highly recommend for Dickens fans. THANKS
Rated 5 out of 5
Cristina Mottura –
E’ stato davvero un piacere fare questo London Walk con David che ha saputo trovare l’equilibrio perfetto fra simpatia e intrattenimento e informazione dettagliata e specializzata sulla letteratura e storia al tempo di Charles Dickens. E’ stato molto bello anche conoscere gli altri “London walkers” provenienti da tutte le parti del mondo. IL tempo a Londra vola sempre troppo velocemente così spero di avere presto un’altra occasione di fare un altro tour con David e la London Walks.
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Francesco Petrocchi –
We’ve had the priviledge to take part in an amazing Charles Dickens tour led by Richard (3rd), who’s been extremely kind, informative and clear. It’s been a great experience! Thank you Richard! PS: I found a very good and cheap second-hand copy of C. Tomalin’s book on Dickens. Thanks for mentioning and recommending such a reliable and thourough biography!
Linda Tournade –
David P. is one of London’s best tour guides! I thoroughly enjoyed his Dickens tour and loved spending time with him and our small group in Ye Olde Chesire Cheese (which Dickens frequented) at the end.
Catherine Kriske –
We went on the Dickens walk with Richard III. As lifelong Charles Dickens fans it was everything we could have asked for. Richard was knowledgeable and witty. He kept the pace just right. We learned so much!
Mark Baldwin –
Excellent walk! David is an expectational guide who ensured everyone was enjoying the walk and tended to a few special needs of some of the attendees.
Message to David: I related that Bar in street names refers to barricade; I was mistaken it refers to a barbican.
Andrea B. –
Excellent! London walks were recommended to me & having now gone on 2 in 2 days, I’m so very happy for the recommendation. Richard III was my guide for both the Charles Dickens & Notting Hill & Portobello Market walks. Both were wonderful. I learned so much from Richard. He walks at an easy pace, with frequent pauses to deliver a fascinating bit of history. Richard is a terrific story teller; just a delightful guide. Many thanks! I’ll be joining again soon. 🙂
Terri Kutner –
My husband and I loved Richard 3’s Charles Dickens tour. In fact it was one of the highlights of our recent 10 day trip to London. My husband was ambivalent about going on a Dickens tour since he had last read Dickens in high school but was willing to go. Richard was so knowledgeable about not only Dickens but the buildings, geography, society and economy of Dickens’ London that he enabled us to see London through Dickens’ eyes. Highly recommend this tour and Richard 3.
Neil & Rose Cole’s –
Dickens Walk with Richard III Friday 27th October 23 . This was a very interesting and informative walk around Dicken’s London Richard was a superb guide with great knowledge delivered with humour . We highly recommend this.
Kat Saunders –
A fantastic Charles Dickens walk with Richard 3rd. Loved Richards delivery & dry wit, just added to his knowledge on his subject.
Really loved the walk & totally recommend.
Next the Victorian walk & will def request Richard.
Kathleen –
Loved our Dickens tour with David. We visited areas and side streets of London area that we never would have if not have taken the tour. David was enthusiastic and passionate and knowledgeable about Dickens. Loved this tour!!! Highly recommend for Dickens fans. THANKS
Cristina Mottura –
E’ stato davvero un piacere fare questo London Walk con David che ha saputo trovare l’equilibrio perfetto fra simpatia e intrattenimento e informazione dettagliata e specializzata sulla letteratura e storia al tempo di Charles Dickens. E’ stato molto bello anche conoscere gli altri “London walkers” provenienti da tutte le parti del mondo. IL tempo a Londra vola sempre troppo velocemente così spero di avere presto un’altra occasione di fare un altro tour con David e la London Walks.