Charles Dickens Private Walking Tour
Description
This walking tour will take us to places that both inspired Charles Dickens the writer but also those real locations that shaped Dickens the man. All writers take inspiration from the people they meet and places they visit, and Charles Dickens was no different. His novels are so successful because he so enjoyed wandering the streets of London and picking up the rich details of everyday life.
Tour Options
Itinerary
See locations relating to Little Dorrit and visit where Dickens family were imprisoned.
The site of the old debtors prison that so influenced the young Charles Dickens.
These beautiful and largely unvisited gardens were created by a contemporary pf Charles Dickens and in her own way equally famous social reformer in what was one of the worst streets in London and close to where Dickens lived as a boy.
Stand on Nancys Steps where poor Nancy met her end
Visit sites of poverty that inspired Dickens to write. See the places where the pick-pockets operated in Oliver Twist and much more
We will pass by this famous theatre and learn about the history and locations nearby.
The oldest court in the western world in effect is next to the notorious old Newgate Prison and site of public executions to Victorians in fact and fiction.
Learn about Winchester Geese and the lives of the poor and forgotten as we follow in the footsteps of how Dickens would walk to work.
Find out about an inadvertent impact St Pauls had on the life of Charles Dickens
As well as seeing the outside of this very famous church we will visit the legal districts where characters such as Pip would feature. Please note sometimes at weekends, access to this area is closed to the public.
Visit the outside of the actual Old Curiousity Shop, perhaps the oldest shop in London and right next to what was then a place of terrible poverty.
The most famous newspaper street in the world which amongst other things not only played an important role in the life of Charles Dickens but the alleys and taverns also feature in his literature.
This area is full of Dickensian history especially relating to Bleak House and is also the home to the biographer of Charles Dickens
See some of the pubs that Dickens himself drank in and where characters visited in the novels.
We visit other literary places along the way, including the outside of the home of the man who wrote the Dictionary.
Visit the alleyway where poor Krook spontaneously combusted infront of his shop.
Pass through parts of Bloomsbury and see where Charles Dickens lived after he had become successful and enjoy the sumptuous streets of this literary hotspot.
We finish the tour at the front door of the Charles Dickens Museum, his perfectly preserved house which you'll no doubt want to explore and perhaps have a well deserved cup of tea in the delightful restaurant at the back.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We can meet you at your Central London Hotel (not just those listed above), otherwise just outside Borough High Street Tube Station where the tour commences.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- We have earmarked this tour as especially safe during the Coronavirus outbreak due to generally quiet places that we visit where social distancing is generally not a problem. All of our tours are private so it is just you/your family and your guide. To make it easier and safer for all concerned we would suggest starting this tour a little later than the usual time, perhaps around 10.30-11am which allows us all to miss rush-hour. We are happy to still come to your hotel to meet you but for the moment we would suggest meeting us at the tour starting point. This allows you to arrive by a taxi or uber rather than public transport. Please feel free to wear masks throughout or at times during the tour. Your guide will also have a mask with them.
Reviews(21)
Kevin was our tour guide. He was not only knowledgeable about Dickens, but he also knew everything about the history of London and was able to provide us with interesting facts and show us the sights. We learned more from him during this tour than all of our other tours combined. Kevin was also kind and beyond patient with us. Thank you for such a wonderful experience!
Our guide Kevin was fantastic!
from the minute, we met Kevin, we knew we had a great tour guide. His love and passion for his native city poured from him and such an affable and interesting fashion. He shared many secrets about London and many secret little alleys. He told great stories that always had an entertaining and surprising ending. He knows so much and is willing to share everything. I would highly recommend him for anyone.
Thankyou for your amazing review. I'm so glad that you enjoyed your tour with Kevin so much. It's a great route and I myself never tire of exploring all the little alleys. Thankyou!
We thoroughly enjoyed our Dickens walking tour. Our guide conveniently met us at our lodging and we headed over to Borough Market via the tube. We then proceeded over London bridge to the ancient city of Londinium. So many secret alley ways and twists and turns. We saw lots of Dickens sites and with a good side dose of the history of London and some famous movie scenes thrown in too. We ended at the Dickens museum and that was perfect. Our guide Kevin was enthusiastic and knowledgeable and really made the tour. This tour was so good I'd come back to England to take another one! We all highly recommend it!
Thanks so much for your kind review. We're really glad that you enjoyed our Charles Dickens Private Walking Tour so much and very appreciative of your taking the time to leave such a nice review!
Kevin was a delight to hang with the duration of our tour. His knowledge, even with the small little details, was amazing. He loves what he does and you can feel the passion in his voice. Thank you for an amazing day. Highly recommend.
Thanks so much for your review. I'm glad that you enjoyed it and explore the old city at Christmas when it feels particularly Dickensian. Kevin says Hi too!
Stephen was an incredible guide! His passion and enthusiasm for history made this tour perfect. He took us through parts of London that a regular tourist would never see. His knowledge of Dickens’ history and approach to literature led us through alleys, to find old prisons and workhouses and even the real places that Dickens used as the basis for Scrooge’s home, Little Dorritt’s church. We did the long version of the Dickens tour…wear your walking shoes!! But please know that Stephen is happy to accommodate your need for a rest or a meal…or a quick diversion into a market or bakery for a treat! If you are a Dickens fan or history buff, Stephen Liddell is your man for an interesting trip through London. Look him up, tell him what you want to see and then follow him merrily through the city!
Thanks so much for your amazing review Barrie. I'm so glad that you had such a nice time. I really enjoyed it too. You can really get into things when you go down those alleys and visit the places Dickens knew so well. I love taking people where no-one else goes. I don't think we saw another tourist the whole time we were out!
The option to meet at our hotel is why we chose the longer tour. Steven arrived early and took good care of us all morning. My husband is not a Dickens enthusiast and in hindsight it would have been safe for him to entrust me to Steven. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and saw places that Dickens wrote about: Marshalsea Prison and Little Dorrit’s Church were the most emotional for me but seeing where the young Charles Dickens lived while working in the shoe blacking factory brought me to tears.
Hello! I hope you're both keeping well. Thank-you so much for your lovely review of our Charles Dickens tour. I'm ever so glad that you had such a good time and got to see so many important but rarely visited places from Dickensian London.
Kevin was a remarkable guide, knowledgeable and clear in his remarks. He is a walking encyclopedia, a fascinating and beautiful person.
Thankyou for your great review of our great :-) Private Charles Dickens Walking Tour. I'm so glad you enjoyed it and had fun with Kevin. It's one of our favourite tours especially in the run up to Christmas and all things Christmas Carol. Thanks again!
I am a Dickens lover. I saw parts of London would never have found on my own. My guide was knowledgeable and interesting. One could tell that he loved sharing his part of London with others.
Thanks Joyce, it was great meeting you and taking your on the Charles Dickens tour. I'm glad you enjoyed it and hope everyone is much recovered after Covid.
This is a must do/see for any Dickens enthusiasts. Our guide was charming, informative, and engaging. It was amazing to see places that were frequented by Dickens that were still open and functioning AND had survived the war bombings. We had a very enjoyable day. Make sure to wear good walking shoes.
Thanks so much for your lovely review. I'm so glad you enjoyed our tour. Yes it's amazing some of the places we go to and I also have these moments when I find somewhere new and can't believe that Dickens once stood here or various places inspired Oliver Twist or Great Expectations etc.
