Paul and Tim's Greater London Talks and Walks

Please read all details carefully

Join Tim on a walk through nineteenth century London in the warm glow of Victorian gaslights and evoke the light and atmosphere of the past.
For most of the nineteenth century London was lit by gas. Revolutionary at the time it transformed the city, making the city streets much safer. Remarkably 1500 of these lights still remain, mainly in Westminster. On our walk we will learn how to recognise a genuine gas lamp from their many imitations and appreciate the distinctive light they cast. We will walk through royal parks, past some of the greatest houses in London and explore the tiny alleyways of Covent Garden. We´ll even see the only light powered by rich people´s poo. We´ll end in an iconic pub.

We meet at Green Park Tube station. Take the exit to ´Green Park and Buckingham Palace´. (There are public toilets in the station). Just outside the exit there is a park cafe and a statue to the Goddess Diana. That´s where we meet. Ill be wearing a bright yellow jacket so you can see me in the gloom I´ll be there from 4.45 and we start walking at 5.

The cost is 15 POUNDS. This is because I´m limiting attendance to no more than 14 (I don´t want to lose you in either a dark park or a shady Soho alley.) Pay cash or card on the day or by PayPal or bank transfer.
Phone is 07846 899I56

Photo by Jim Osley.

MEET: 10.45 Pret a Manger 81, Piccadilly (almost next to Green Park station) for tea

or 11.15 by the fountain and coffee stall in Green Park just outside the exit of Green Park station for the start of the walk.

My number is 07815009191.

Mayfair was once the site of the fair where a woman of light character was excluded and a riot followed, where you can see Harry Nilson's flat of death, find out why the Dorchester was known as the safest building during the Blitz and who it attracted, and the great and the good who had the finest of mansions here in the 18th and 19th century.

Please pay £12 to my account 75471878 sort 090128 or cash on the day.

If you see the word 'Unpaid' by your name only you can see it. It means you have not paid through Meet up. No one else can see this; you have not been shamed as a debtor.

In search of London’s Little Italy
Please note change of time - 14.15 for 14.30 start
A walk where we will hunt down the ghostly reminders of what was once a thriving Italian community.
At the end of the 19th century a thriving Italian society was based around the Clerkenwell Road. At its peak tens of thousands of Italians made up one of London’s most vibrant communities.
They were employed as ice cream makers, organ grinders, chefs and waiters. But there were also gangsters, revolutionaries and priests amongst their numbers. A few made fortunes, some remained desperately poor but most gradually prospered. During the second world war a terrible injustice was wreaked upon the community and one tf the great tragedies to beset Londoners took place. Post war the community was dispersed.
There are some remnants of that past still existing in the area and over the last few years there has been a resurgence of Italian themed businesses.
We’ll discover all that remains and all that is new.
Remember to bring your historical imagination; you’ll need it!
We’ll also be discovering Fagin’s Den of pickpockets, a thirteenth century church and and one of London’s oldest, most famous and yet secretive pubs
Fee is £10, cash on the day, by card, by PayPal or bank transfer.
Number to call or text in emergency is :
O7846899I56

Photo by Jim Osley.

MEET: 10.45 for tea in Pure Coffee, 100 Moorgate, London EC2M 6AB

or 11.15 for the start of the walk just outside Pure.

My number is 07815009191.

Did you know that there are approximately 376 open spaces totalling 32 hectares in the Square Mile that include parks, gardens, churchyards and plazas? No, neither did I! When I found this out I thought it was time to explore some of the best of them.

On this walk we will visit:
the indoor garden at the Barbican,
the churchyard given over to remembering those who sacrificed all, Britain's oldest public park
two historical graveyards amongst others. There's a pavement with a difference and a chance to find out why quakers are called quakers.

If you see unpaid by your name just ignore it.