London Guided Tours Menu
Individual Private & Tailor Made Walks Also Available
(Photos above: Peter Forsyth)
Walking tours can be chosen from my repertoire below, or sometimes customised to suit a special interest, with a couple of weeks' notice. For some walks there are links here to a photo gallery. Please contact me to discuss a walk.Routes and content are under constant review so future walks may differ in detail from those described here. It will be assumed that you have read and accepted the general terms and conditions before making use of the tours.
I am also available to give lectures.
Victoria & Belgravia Walk
Curious History around Victoria
Starts
with some social and railway history around Victoria station. Then
introduces the remarkable former residents amongst the area's green squares
including two Victorian scientists - one famous and the other almost
unknown despite his putting every waking minute to good and sometimes
bizarre use.
Curious History around Victoria
Starts
with some social and railway history around Victoria station. Then
introduces the remarkable former residents amongst the area's green squares
including two Victorian scientists - one famous and the other almost
unknown despite his putting every waking minute to good and sometimes
bizarre use.Vauxhall & Lambeth Walk
Invention, Intelligence and Industry in
Vauxhall & Lambeth: The Untoothsome Pear
In
the old days of soap boiling and manure making it was generally said
of Lambeth that "The skies ain't blue and the grass ain't green." We still pass the old gas works but now
this is an area with greenery (partly thanks to the Blitz), interesting relics and remarkable stories including intelligence matters spanning 300 years.
Invention, Intelligence and Industry in
Vauxhall & Lambeth: The Untoothsome Pear
In the old days of soap boiling and manure making it was generally said of Lambeth that "The skies ain't blue and the grass ain't green." We still pass the old gas works but now this is an area with greenery (partly thanks to the Blitz), interesting relics and remarkable stories including intelligence matters spanning 300 years.
Invention & Discovery in the Heart of LondonHolborn to Trafalgar SquareA
central London walk covering many aspects of invention and discovery
through the ages. Developed for National Science and Engineering Week
2013. From the comical to the ghoulish and from the domestic to the
cosmic. |  |
Westminster War Walk
Nine Boffins from Two World Wars
Stories of scientific
ingenuity, heroic and curious experiments, scientific intelligence,
cunning deception and pacifism. Also featuring some of those who were
close to Churchill in his underground bunker. The walk embraces a wide range of topics including patent medicine and the circus. Book tickets
Nine Boffins from Two World Wars
Stories of scientific
ingenuity, heroic and curious experiments, scientific intelligence,
cunning deception and pacifism. Also featuring some of those who were
close to Churchill in his underground bunker. The walk embraces a wide range of topics including patent medicine and the circus. Book ticketsLondon Spy Walks
I
feature stories of espionage, covert operations, cunning and deception
on many of my walks. But if you prefer a walk entirely on this theme
alone then that's available too. Codes, bugs, secret weapons and gadgets. |  |
Richmond Park Walk
Curious History in Richmond
Beautiful
views, especially in spring and autumn, and the unlikely setting for a number of wartime battles of wits
and science. Golf, dinosaurs and more. More of a ramble than a city
tour, and therefore there's a break for tea.
Photo: Prabha Thapa
Curious History in Richmond
Beautiful
views, especially in spring and autumn, and the unlikely setting for a number of wartime battles of wits
and science. Golf, dinosaurs and more. More of a ramble than a city
tour, and therefore there's a break for tea.Photo: Prabha Thapa
Holland Park & Notting Hill Walk
Curious History in Holland Park and Notting Hill:
Hair Raising Service
Tales of deception,
intelligence, adventure and people-watching, plus the first electrically
lit house in London. There are grand houses, an industrial relic and a
Japanese Garden.
Curious History in Holland Park and Notting Hill:
Hair Raising Service
Tales of deception,
intelligence, adventure and people-watching, plus the first electrically
lit house in London. There are grand houses, an industrial relic and a
Japanese Garden.Blackheath Walk
Curious History around Blackheath:
Peg Legs and Enigmas
The
dramatically bleak expanse of Blackheath is surrounded by fine homes.
It has been favoured by astronomers, explorers, engineers and a
Bletchley Park code breaker.
Curious History around Blackheath:
Peg Legs and Enigmas
The
dramatically bleak expanse of Blackheath is surrounded by fine homes.
It has been favoured by astronomers, explorers, engineers and a
Bletchley Park code breaker.Piccadilly & Mayfair Walk
Curious History in Piccadilly and Mayfair:
Razzle Dazzle and Electric Fish
A
spy story, a medical pioneer, electric fish, an eccentric advisor to
Lord Mountbatten, the buttocks of a Nobel Prize winner, and more. This
walk includes back streets and arcades and we pass the Royal
Institution.
Photo: Mike Gould
Curious History in Piccadilly and Mayfair:
Razzle Dazzle and Electric Fish
A
spy story, a medical pioneer, electric fish, an eccentric advisor to
Lord Mountbatten, the buttocks of a Nobel Prize winner, and more. This
walk includes back streets and arcades and we pass the Royal
Institution.Photo: Mike Gould
Kensington Gardens & Paddington Walk
Curious History around Kensington Gardens
What links the penny post with a cream cracker? From
millionaires row, we walk through the gardens and up to the lab where Alexander Fleming
discovered penicillin. Also, the stories of a scientific suffragette,
the wife of a Victorian engineer and much more.
Curious History around Kensington Gardens
What links the penny post with a cream cracker? From
millionaires row, we walk through the gardens and up to the lab where Alexander Fleming
discovered penicillin. Also, the stories of a scientific suffragette,
the wife of a Victorian engineer and much more.Wimbledon Walk
Curious History in Wimbledon: Local Heroes
A
walk to and through the village featuring an aviator, an author, a
Nobel winner, an engineer, an astronomer and others.
Photo: Peter Forsyth
Curious History in Wimbledon: Local Heroes
A
walk to and through the village featuring an aviator, an author, a
Nobel winner, an engineer, an astronomer and others.Photo: Peter Forsyth
Woolwich Tour
Curious History in Woolwich: Making the Earth Move
Stories
of invention and discovery around the old military heritage sites of
Woolwich. Logistically this is a slightly complex tour which
supplements walking with some public transport (two boats and a bus) and
thus it is only suitable for small groups. I'm proud of this tour - but
if you are not tolerant of minor delays, and a little dockside dirt and
decay, then this tour is not for you.
Curious History in Woolwich: Making the Earth Move
Stories
of invention and discovery around the old military heritage sites of
Woolwich. Logistically this is a slightly complex tour which
supplements walking with some public transport (two boats and a bus) and
thus it is only suitable for small groups. I'm proud of this tour - but
if you are not tolerant of minor delays, and a little dockside dirt and
decay, then this tour is not for you.West Brompton Walk
Curious History in West Brompton
A particularly attractive cemetery (often
used as a film location) with an interesting set of Victorians who have
made this their last resting place, plus a swashbuckling botanist and a
cantankerous balloonist.
Curious History in West Brompton
A particularly attractive cemetery (often
used as a film location) with an interesting set of Victorians who have
made this their last resting place, plus a swashbuckling botanist and a
cantankerous balloonist.South Kensington & Knightsbridge Walk
Curious History in Knightsbridge and Kensington
Ending near the
famous Science and Natural History museums, one of the scientists
featured in this walk managed to put the sex into the sextant. War
stories include: war time cookery, why you might want to sleep in a
new suit, and how to prevent the trains from running on time.
Curious History in Knightsbridge and Kensington
Ending near the famous Science and Natural History museums, one of the scientists featured in this walk managed to put the sex into the sextant. War stories include: war time cookery, why you might want to sleep in a new suit, and how to prevent the trains from running on time.
Across the Fleet Walk
Curious History around the Fleet
Starting
near Smithfield, some Georgian science including unusual things to do
with a sirloin of beef, and a look at the history of some Victorian
landmarks.
Photo: Mike Gould
Curious History around the Fleet
Starting
near Smithfield, some Georgian science including unusual things to do
with a sirloin of beef, and a look at the history of some Victorian
landmarks.Photo: Mike Gould
Clapham & Wandsworth Commons Walk
Curious History in Clapham and Wandsworth:
Under Cover and Round the Bend
A longer walk involving astronomy, treachery, dinosaurs and sanitaryware. Some architectural surprises feature around these two attractive areas of parkland.
Curious History in Clapham and Wandsworth:
Under Cover and Round the Bend
A longer walk involving astronomy, treachery, dinosaurs and sanitaryware. Some architectural surprises feature around these two attractive areas of parkland.Westminster & Whitehall Walk
Curious History in Westminster and Whitehall:
The Cat and Bagpipes
The Cat and Bagpipes was the nickname given to a pub which once stood in Downing Street and was frequented by Fellows of the Royal Society. From
dinosaur dung to the first traffic light, hear about some of the lesser
known and more interesting stories of Westminster away from the world
of royalty, religion and politics.
Curious History in Westminster and Whitehall:
The Cat and Bagpipes
The Cat and Bagpipes was the nickname given to a pub which once stood in Downing Street and was frequented by Fellows of the Royal Society. From
dinosaur dung to the first traffic light, hear about some of the lesser
known and more interesting stories of Westminster away from the world
of royalty, religion and politics.Chelsea Walks
Curious History along Cheyne Walk:
Flea Traps and Goribuns
This walk goes from west to east along Cheyne Walk and past the Physic Garden and Royal Hospital.
Curious History Astride the Thames:
Storm Cones and Candlesticks
Starting south of the river this is a partly riverside walk including
quaint architecture. It ends in South Kensington.
Curious History along Cheyne Walk:
Flea Traps and Goribuns
This walk goes from west to east along Cheyne Walk and past the Physic Garden and Royal Hospital.Curious History Astride the Thames:
Storm Cones and Candlesticks
Starting south of the river this is a partly riverside walk including
quaint architecture. It ends in South Kensington.Bankside & Southwark Walk
The Oxo Cube
Behind the Bankside tourist trail are some lesser known sights, curiosities and stories
Christmas WalkThe Oxo Cube
Behind the Bankside tourist trail are some lesser known sights, curiosities and storiesChristmas market etc. woven into a walk combining Laurence's usual themes but with a festive twist.
Walks in Preparation
An Odd WalkGoing against the grain, cutting across corners of common and taking an unlikely route through suburbia between Wimbledon Park and Barnes this (longer) walk is inspired by a fine set of Local Heroes who might not otherwise get the attention they deserve.
Also Bloomsbury, Marylebone, St John's Wood...
London Geek Tours
Geeks, you should enjoy these walks!
Historical Figures Featured in the Walks
These are ones you may know, to give you an idea of the territory. My speciality is the interesting ones you may not know.
Charles Babbage, Joseph Banks, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Charles Darwin, Humphry Davy, Michael Faraday, Alexander Fleming, Benjamin Franklin, John Hunter, James Clerk Maxwell, Isaac Newton, Kim Philby, Alan Turing and Barnes Wallis
Historic Locations Featured in the Walks
This is a list of places and institutions which have mostly vanished from the map London map (if they were ever on it) but which are covered among Laurence's different walks.