“I’ve been walking about London for the last thirty years, and I find something fresh in it every day” Walter Besant
Overture: History. Eccentricity. Characters. Well I never. Quirkiness. Secret places. Secrets. London today, tomorrow, yesterday, 800 years ago. The past is never dead, it isn’t even past.
Charles Dickens refrain: “Everything about London is strange.”
Short read: London is stranger than fiction.
Long read: A little something for the connoisseur. A collector’s piece of a walk. A walk that’ll change the way you see central London. A walk that teems with unexpected delights, odd places and passing strange things and people.
Item: the Watergate that appears to lead nowhere but was the river entrance to the Duke of Buckingham’s palace. If you watched that Sky series Mary and George you will know all about ‘Steenie’ and his scandalous life and loves. If you didn’t, Embankment Permutations will start you down that primrose path. How are you going to be proof against it when you discover the Duke’s reputation and the truth about his lovely legs! Item: the eccentricities of Samuel Pepys – and for good measure the story behind the fan lights in the street where he lived.
Item: the first – the grandpappy – the gold standard of ‘theme pubs’ (‘Excellent’ you’ll cry; ‘elementary’ says Alison). Item: cracking the mystery of the Trafalgar Square lions and the mysterious disappearance of the pigeons (hint: God’s assassin did for them).
Item: Benjamin Franklin (what a carry on: his carrying on with his landlady’s daughter, his narrow escape, his… well, just you wait). Item: George Washington and that portable flogging and beheading kit. Item: the grand old dame of crime fiction, Agatha Christie. And that’s just for starters.
EMBANKMENT PERMUTATIONS – THE MEETING POINT
The meeting point is just outside the river exit of Embankment Tube.
Embankment Permutations – London is Stranger than Fiction is guided by Alison.
LONDON WALKS REVIEWS
“Best Tourism Experience in London” Gold Medal Winner Visit London
“The best walking tours are organized by London Walks” USA Today
“the unfailingly fascinating London Walks… If you can’t find one [of their tours] that captures your fancy, maybe you really are tired of life.” San Francisco Chronicle
LONDON WALKS PRIVATE WALKS
If you can’t make any of the regularly scheduled, just-turn-up, public Embankment Permutations walks do think about booking one as a private tour. If you go private you can have the Embankment Permutations Walk – or any other London Walk – on a day and at a time that suits your convenience. We’ll tailor it to your requirements. And – always with private London Walks and tours – we go to great lengths to make sure the guide-walker(s) “fit” is well-nigh perfect. Ring Fiona or Peter or Niamh 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. Or indeed a fab present – be it a birthday or anniversary or get-to-know-your-new neighbourhood gift or Christmas present or whatever. Merchandise schmerchandise (gift wrapped or not) – but giving someone an experience, now that’s special. Memories make us rich.
Avril Rossiter –
Alison had prepared her material well and was pleasant and informative. We learnt some interesting new facts.
Chris Moore –
This walk is an absolute delight – I have lived in London for thirty years and discovered so much in a couple of hours with Alison about the nooks and crannies of the city: places you think you know well come alive with so much more colour and character; hidden corners just off the main streets are full of quirks and curiosities you might never come across; I love learning about London’s history and its characters and, of course, you can just read a book, but Alison’s treasury of knowledge and wealth of humorous anecdotes delivered at a leisurely pace really make it an enriching experience – I can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon! Oh, and if you want a few tips about the best little pubs and bars…
Debbie Ping –
Fantastic time with Alison on her Embankment Permutations tour…not only was she engaging and knowledgeable, she also made the walk great fun….I wish she had taught me history at school! Will definitely be back for more.
Colin Whitcomb –
Alison was the perfect guide. Her Embankment Permutations tour was a real eye opener . Literally! She taught us to take our time to look more closely at buildings and alleyways and look for the finer details which reveal their history. A wealth of knowledge and lots of fun. Thanks Alison. We’ll be back!
Ben Miller –
Alison invested impressive street by street research of the area from Embankment to Seven Dials and tour members are the beneficiaries. I have walked through those streets dozens of times but Alison took us into alleys, nooks and courtyards to show us hidden secrets that are fascinating. An added bonus are several hidden pubs, shops and restaurants that Alison pointed out which were rewarding to return to after the tour.
Alan Rogers –
Alison before, I had high expectations! I wasn’t disappointed. It is a very eccentric and fascinating area of London. So much information crammed into a two hour walk. Well worth every penny. Thanks Alison.
S. Hall –
Alison was very knowledgeable and really knew all the places we walked – I’d have loved to have looked into some of the side places she pointed out, rather than going back later on our own, but other than that, we had a great walk and I absolutely recommend her walks.
Tim Gifford –
Very interesting and enlightening walk hosted by Alison who is very knowledgeable on the oddities in this district. A very pleasant two hours and a mine of fascinating facts. Highly recommended.
Eva Smith –
We really enjoyed this walk with all the quirky alleys and passages Alison showed us. Also we heard about interesting historical facts and stories. Well worth going on this walk.
Carole Harrison –
I had a fantastic time on the Eccentric London Tour led by Alison who was extremely informative & knowledgable about the area, buildings & people who resided in them. I learnt so much and found it very interesting. Will definately go on another tour in the future. Thank you Alison it was amazing.