A Road to Ruin - Private Tour

Uncover the relationship of Londoners and their alcohol

Road to Ruin, alcohol themed Private Tour

On this alcohol-themed walk where we discover an ancient drover's road which led to riches for some and ruin for others.

Investigate a number of fascinating buildings along an ancient Drover's road into London including an 'in and out pub', a world famous inn, a brewery, two gin distilleries and even a licensed pawn broker!

During this guided walk will also be investigating the relationship between Londoners and their alcohol, whether that's making, drinking or selling it. We explore different classes of society and how the popular English past-time of drinking was interpreted by artists of the day including Georgian engraver and artist William Hogarth.

Learn how we gained the expressions 'One for the road', 'a Mother's ruin' and 'dead drunk'.

Start: outside Angel Tube Station 
End: Farringdon Station

Duration: 90 mins | Step-free access: yes

No alcohol consumption involved. Suitable for all age groups.

Private tour price:

£135 includes up to and including 12 people. £160 13 - 30 people

Max group size: 30

A Road to Ruin - an alcohol themed private tour
 

A Road to Ruin tour reviews:

"Another very informative and enjoyable walk with Hazel and her new microphone which was a great addition." Anonymous

"If you enjoy fascinating facts this walk is worth doing." Anonymous

"A thoroughly interesting and pleasant walk around Farringdon exploring the history of London and its relationship with alcohol. Brilliantly guided tour with a fascinating explanation and comparison of some famous Hogarth sketches. Great way to spend a Saturday morning." Andrew, Wood Green

"Thank you Hazel. Fabulous alcohol en route walk. I am hooked to history of London now." Jade, Singapore

"Another really enjoyable social historic walk, thanks Hazel!" Chloe, High Barnet

"Excellent! The best way to see and learn the interesting cultural aspects of London." Rosemarie B, Florida USA

“Thanks Hazel for an informative and enjoyable walk.” Ian, Greenwich

"Lovely interesting walk Hazel. Thank you. Just off to have a pint of gin now!" Joan, Feltham

“Excellent! Really enjoyed learning some of the history of the area and having a chat.” Liz Australia 

" Excellent walk. Hazel was very engaging and informative She had designed an interesting historical and produced copies of relevant William Hogarth prints to bring it to life. I’d certainly go on further walks with her." Anon

“Fantastic tour - Hazel was so knowledgeable and fun. We did a tour called 'Road to Ruin' and it was just great. Really interesting and the time flew by, we learnt so much about the area. There were no questions hazel couldn't answer and she made the tour really interactive and enjoyable. We are definitely going to do another one soon!" Anon

"Hazel was a well-informed and entertaining guide and in the course of this short but brisk walk we covered Islington's historic pubs, breweries and distilleries. We also covered in interesting detail some Hogarth drawings and had a short discussion on Hogarth's methodology. Varied and fun." Anon

"Hazel is always an amazing and entertaining guide. She makes history come alive and even if you think you know a specific area of London - however many times you have walked down a particular street - you’ve definitely missed something! Hazel will encourage you to stop, look around and explore the history. Totally recommend." Anon

"A fascinating walk! Our guide was very knowledgeable and made it both informative and fun." Rae & Peter L 

"I really enjoyed the 'Road to Ruin Walk' from the Angel to the Farringdon Tube Station. The guide Hazel was a cheerful, friendly person with very well researched knowledge who enjoyed sharing it with the group. Her illustration of certain points through pictures/ works of art were also very effective. I like guided walks through London very much as they take me through streets I have never been or make me look at familiar areas with new insight." Anon

"Fantastic walk! this was really interesting. the tour given was very detailed and informative and the tour guide obviously knew her stuff and made it engaging and fun! The walk was great and i will definitely look out for the other guided walks." Anon

"If you enjoy fascinating facts this walk is worth doing." Anon

"Another very informative and enjoyable walk with Hazel and her new microphone which was a great addition." Anon

Ilona Mosejeva   15-Sep-2019

Rated : StarStarStarStarStarVery informative and adventurous.


Caryline Warner   1-Aug-2019

Rated : StarStarStarStarStarWould thoroughly recommend. Hazel was an excellent guide and was able to answer all the questions she was asked so seemed very knowledgeable. She handed out photo sheets to further illustrate what she was talking about. The walk took just under 2 hours and I have to say we were very ready for a coffee by the end!


Diana Watt   30-Jul-2019

Rated : StarStarStarStarA very enjoyable walk from the Angel to Farringdon Station. The Hogarth prints were well chosen to illustrate contemporary life and the evils of fecklessness and a fondness for gin. How unlike today!


Patricia Eaton   29-Jul-2019

Rated : StarStarStarStarStarInformative, imaginative and fun. The Road to Ruin was a thoroughly enjoyable guided walk. It was well researched and brilliantly delivered. Thank you.


Joy Himsworth    27-Jul-2019

Rated : StarStarStarStarStarLoved my second walk with Hazel - such an informative, friendly and interesting guide. Perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon!


Steven Cousins   23-Jun-2019

Rated : StarStarStarStarStarReally enjoyable stroll through London. Hazel was very knowledgeable and brought the past to life. I would recommend this tour.


Louise Bacon   21-Jun-2019

Rated : StarStarStarStarStarAn excellent walk conducted by Hazel down the road to ruin from the Angel to Farringdon. Full of information and anecdotes from the Angel station (and the street on the Monopoly board) being the only tube station named after a Pub. She was excellently prepared with images from Hogarth who depicted the Angel amongst other' roads to ruin', gin being the main culprit with beer being brought in as a better substitute! It ended at the Castle pub which is still also holds a pawn brokers licence thanks to Queen Victoria's son, the Prince of Wales. Do the walk to find out why.


Hannah Woodley   16-Apr-2019

Rated : StarStarStarStarStarReally interesting walk, learnt lots about the history of the drinking establishments of the Islington area, and why certain areas and places are named as they are. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and gave us lots of interesting facts. Very funny too. Highly recommend.


Anonymous   7-Apr-2019

Rated : StarStarStarStarReally enjoyed Hazel's walk she was so enthusiastic and cheerful very knowledgeable. Would highly recommend.


Amanda Mackie   3-Apr-2019

Rated : StarStarStarStarThis walk is from Angel Tube Station to Farringdon Tube Station. Hazel is an excellent tour guide. She has really done her research and highlights aspects of her tour with very good interpretations of the Hogarth prints she shows us. She is very personable and a pleasure to spend an hour or so with. We would definitely take another of her tours.


Anonymous   1-Apr-2019

Rated : StarStarStarwe spent an hour and a half walking around Islington, complete with the dissection of some Hogarth images. All in all this outing was definitely a strong encouragement to come back and explore some more.


Anonymous   31-Mar-2019

Rated : StarStarStarStarStarExcellent walk. Hazel was very engaging and informative She had designed an interesting historical and produced copies of relevant Howgarth prints to bring it to life. I’d certainly go on further walks with her.


Anonymous   30-Mar-2019

Rated : StarStarStarStarStarHazel is always an amazing and entertaining guide. She makes history come alive and even if you think you know a specific area of London - however many times you have walked down a particular street - you’ve definitely missed something! Hazel will encourage you to stop, look around and explore the history. Totally recommend.


Rae and Peter Lee   28-Mar-2019

Rated : StarStarStarStarStarA fascinating walk! Our guide was very knowledgeable and made it both informative and fun.


Anonymous   15-Jan-2018

Rated : StarStarStarStarI really enjoyed the 'Road to Ruin Walk' from the Angel to the Farringdon Tube Station. The guide Hazel was a cheerful, friendly person with very well researched knowledge who enjoyed sharing it with the group. Her illustration of certain points through pictures/ works of art were also very effective. I like guided walks through London very much as they take me through streets I have never been or make me look at familiar areas with new insight.


Anonymous   5-Jan-2018

Rated : StarStarStarStarStarFantastic walk! this was really interesting. the tour given was very detailed and informative and the tour guide obviously knew her stuff and made it engaging and fun! The walk was great and i will definitely look out for the other guided walks.


Anonymous   29-Feb-2016

Rated : StarStarStarStarIf you enjoy fascinating facts this walk is worth doing.

 
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