London Walks
This isn't the first time these walks have been recommended
by members, but here's a reminder for those of you with London
in your plans …
Dr.
Samuel Johnson is quoted often, but it's true … "When a man
is tired of London he is tired of life; for there is in London
all that life can afford." Not only is there free admission
to most of the museums (The British Museum, The National Gallery,
Tate Britain and Tate Modern, the Imperial War Museum, and many
more), but London is also a city of fascinating neighbourhoods
in which to walk. London Walks is a walking
tour company with an astonishing variety of over 300 routes
and themes. There are at least nine walks offered each day,
three in the morning, afternoon, and evening, rain or shine.
No reservations are required; one has simply to show up at the
designated Tube stop ten minutes or so before the tour is scheduled
to start. Tours last about two hours, and cost £6 per person,
£5 for Super Adults (65+) and students. If an entrance fee is
required, you will qualify for the group rate.
The
guides are superb; many have Blue Badge or City
of London Guide qualifications; they may be actors, lawyers,
historians, journalists, retired museum curators, etc. During
a January stopover in London, we enjoyed the walks Jack
the Ripper's Slashing Ground, Westminster at War, Legal and
Illegal London, and were tempted by several others. Current
favourites include Occult London and the Da Vinci Code and
The Real World of Harry Potter.
Most
evenings include one pub walk. In addition to the regular series
of daily walks, there are others that take place monthly, also
Explorer Days excursions by train out of the city to
places such as Stonehenge, Canterbury and Oxford. Check out
the full gamut on-line at www.walks.com
and pick up a brochure from any tourist information centre or
from the guide on your first walk. And although we haven't tried
them, we hear there is a sister company in Paris doing walks
in English; info at www.paris-walks.com.
Ted and Judy van der Veen
Campbellville, ON
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