Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens Walking Tour in London

"I so enjoyed this walk. When Hazel read the extract at the start, it was just words. By the end of the walk, it had become substance and it is rare to be given such insight into exactly what an author truly meant to portray. Thank you Hazel" Alison P

"Hazel was an excellent raconteur and evoked the sights, sounds and smells of Oliver's first meeting with the Artful Dodger with many entertaining stories." Cath, Melbourne, Aus

"An interesting walk in an area I know well, packed with stuff I didn't know and a thorough knowledge of the walk subject." Bill, Bermondsey

"We have done a few walks with Hazel now and each time she has us enthralled with her interesting stories of London. A well researched walk and will want you to read/reread Charles Dickens." L Winder

"Absolutely fascinating walk. Makes you see this part of London very differently. Having a reread of Oliver Twist now. Hazel is a fabulous guide and I would highly recommend!" M Finch

"Hazel, you are a London gem and your knowledge, enthusiasm and energy is all wonderful. Thank you for a lovely tour. We'll be back for more....." M & R Raikes

"This was another fascinating walk from Hazel on a blustery, wet Easter Sunday. She took us on a tour of the places mentioned in Oliver Twist, bringing it all to life with her descriptions of the sights, sounds & smells of Victorian London and quoting passages from the book. Highly recommended." Christine & Ian

“Oliver Twist walk - great for adults and kids”

"Took the Oliver Twist walk yesterday with my 10-year old daughter. It was a fab experience that we both enjoyed. Lots of historical facts, engagingly presented, made us really see and relive London as it was then. We'll definitely be doing this walk again.. and other walks offered by Hazel." Visited January 2016

“Oliver Twist w/Hazel at London Guided Walks

"This tour, following in the footsteps of Oliver Twist, is very well planned, organized, and executed. Hazel has vast knowledge of London, its history, and all aspects of interest to those who want to learn. We especially enjoyed her articulate style, engaging tempo, and humour. Highly recommended for tourists and Londoners alike! We are repeat customers. Hazel is terrific!"

“Interesting and fun walk”

"The walk was really interesting, detailed and pertinent with its title (which is not always so obvious with other walk groups). The guide was enthusiastic and able to make the walk even more interesting and even funny. I have learnt lots of things about Oliver Twist and Dickens's age and I can remember them thanks to the attitude of the guide and her way of explaining." Visited December 2015

Discover some real gems from the capital’s past including the evocative King’s Wardrobe.

You will enter havens provided by conservation areas within the bustling modern City and look at the importance of rivers – not just the Thames – in providing defences and transport. We retrace where the Roman citizens of Londinium built their impressive villas.

We see where the huge priory of Blackfriars which dominated the area after moving here in 1278 stood, and explore the history of a Norman Castle – a royal residence given as a wedding present to Katherine of Aragon. We visit two theatres – one where Shakespeare wrote and performed many of his plays – and an ancient guild.

Join us and follow in the steps of both Shakespeare and Pepys on this circular tour of a fascinating corner of the City of London.

Start: Blackfriars Station | Finish: Blackfriars Station

Tour Duration: 90 mins | No step-free access

"What a brilliant way to spend 90 minutes! Hazel, the tour guide, has a sunny disposition, a wide range of historical and up to date general knowledge and a good sense of humour.We were taken to places we didn't know existed and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. This was our first walk with Hazel but we are definitely going on some more." M Anderson

"Fabulous, informative tour - well worth doing. Suitable for families with older children as well as singles or couples interested in London's history. We learnt lots of fascinating facts about the rare and the architecture with a steady stream of stories from our guide. Highly recommended." L Fields

"Who'd have thought Blackfriars could be so interesting. Hazel knows her stuff and always makes time to answer any questions you may have" G Faulkner

"What a friendly guide Hazel is. This was the first of her walks I had been on and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought I knew the Blackfriars area but Hazel took us down side streets and alleys I'd never even noticed before! She has clear diction and a microphone so you can hear her above traffic, just as well as she is very informative and funny. Recommended" K Prendergast

"Hazel has wonderful knowledge and a real passion for history. The 90 minute tour was very informative, nicely explained and illustrated. During the walk the group came across a man who was minding his own business cleaning up a stash of clay pipes and broken bits of pottery which he had discovered. Added to the history. Blackfriars is one area that has greatly changed. It would be lovely to go back in time to see the old beauty as it was described by Hazel." F Daft

"I would highly recommend this walk. Hazel uses a great deal of her great personality to make the walk and history come alive." R Cumbers

"Informative, interesting and a splendid way to spend 90 minutes. Hazel the guide is excellent. I have been on three of the walks and I cannot recommend them highly enough. Take advantage of the opportunity and go on a walk." D Bradburn

"Hazel was great and the tour was interesting. Glad I went." J Freeman

"This was a fascinating walk around Blackfriars and Hazel made it really enjoyable with her incredible knowledge of the area's history. It's just the right length and a really fun way to spend the afternoon. We will certainly book more walks with Hazel." C Bleathman

"What a great thing to do on a Saturday afternoon. I found the walk to be the right amount of time - I have been on two hour London walks and I have to say that they felt too long. Hazel is enthusiastic, very knowledgeable, has a great personality and presents the information with humour. She encouraged questions and enjoyed interacting with the group which made the whole thing seem more personal. I only wish I had had time to join her and others for a drink at the end. I will certainly look out for future walks led by Hazel!" E Chambers

"Lovely walk around parts of Blackfriars you would most probably be unaware of plus loads of informative knowledge finished off with a G+T in lovely pub. Hazel enthusiastic as always. Great way to spend a Saturday afternoon." G Evans

It is on this guided walk we delve into what makes a Victorian Christmas and explore traditions which may be older than you think.

At the beginning of the 19th century Christmas was hardly celebrated. Many businesses did not even consider it a holiday. But by the end of the century it had become the biggest annual celebration and took on the form we recognise today.

We wander through old streets of the City of London and Westminster, exploring lives of late Georgians and Victorians at Christmas, dipping into Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' along the way.

Start: St Paul's Cathedral | Finish: Trafalgar Square

Tour Duration: 90 mins | Not wheelchair accessible

“Victorian Christmas Walk”

Really enjoyed our Victorian Christmas walk with Hazel today. It is really interesting to learn about some of the things that you see everyday in London and also some of the things that you don't see as they are off the beaten track. Excellent.

“Festive Victorian Christmas walk”

Another great walk! This was my second walk with Hazel and again it was both fascinating and fun. As before my baby in his pram joined in and loved the buzz of the friendly group. I shall definitely be back, thanks Hazel!

“A Victorian Christmas”

"This was my second walk with Hazel and I thoroughly enjoyed it. There was quite a good group of us and we also had a baby who was as good as gold. The weather was also on our side as the evening was quite a good one to stroll around the Victorian part of the City. Hazel is a very interesting guide and knows lots of facts. I am already looking forward to my next one in the New Year. It's definitely a great way to discover London, even the parts I already knew." Visited December 2015

"Fantastic, full of information, unknown facts, and built a vivid picture of Victorian Christmas." Karen S, Brockley

"Another great offering Hazel , expertly delivered as ever with fun and pzzazz." Sarah B, London

"Thanks Hazel for a wonderful walk! Definitely looking forward to coming to another walk soon." Gerald, LA

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Stuck for something to do between Christmas and New Year?Walk off your Christmas dinner on our fun and engaging Twixmas London walks.

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