History: History Walks

Over the space of six weeks, we shall walk Victorian streets with theatrical and musical connections, see a church stuffed with actors, a favourite eating place of Edward VII and the earliest cop shop. Moving west we’ll learn how London’s travellers aspired to go further west across the Atlantic, visit the oldest garden centre in London and walk along the canal towpath leading to the Midlands. We see how a riverside village, home of a great painter and many writers and artists became for a decade the most fashionable area of London. Eastwards downriver to a town full of great buildings, site of royal palaces, and great riverside views. Walking through the ‘heart of government’, we discover the remains of a royal palace, the site of the first traffic lights and variations on classical architecture. We also look how people crossed the Thames, the varied construction of bridges both temporary and permanents, the colourful watermen and ferries. Not only will we develop an appreciation of specific areas of London and London life but also will have achieved some healthy exercise from these two-hour walks. There’ll be opportunities to discuss what has been seen with your fellow students. Information will be available for following up the topics covered in the course and other related courses.