SOUTH LONDON

From Swimmers To Cyclists and a Park to a Picture Gallery – Discover Herne Hill
Not as well known as it’s neighbours in Brixton and Dulwich, Herne Hill is a revelation with impressive Victorian houses, independent shops , attractive green spaces, a Lido and plaques to notable people including an author, a leading art critic and a sports coach. Throw in a sporting venue, a statue of an Elizabethan superstar and ending in one of London’s villages , an ideal place to take refreshment, you’ll want to move to the area after taking this walk!

From Almshouses to Art: Discover Penge
Penge dates to before the Domesday Book: transformed from communal farming lands to its current SE20 incarnation via the arrival of canals, railways and a ‘Crystal Palace’, transported from Hyde Park to Penge’s doorstep. From the obvious grandeur of the Royal Waterman’s Almshouses to the small Victorian cottages of the Alexandra Estate, built for the working poor,  the story of Penge can be discovered in its architecture and streets and heard in the tales of some famous past inhabitants including a rock star, a 19^th century writer, a  famous cook, a punk legend, an author and some pre “Strictly” ballroom champions. In recent years Penge has become home to the best collection of high quality Street Art in London so forget trendy Shoreditch and come to Penge!!

From A Brewery To A Bedouin Tent: Discover Mortlake
Just 10 miles of London is the delightful area of Mortlake.  Once a peaceful riverside village surrounded by market gardens and orchards,  Mortlake became a retreat for London businessmen and their families. After the arrival of the railway Mortlake developed into a larger suburb giving employment to many in one of London’s largest breweries. The Mortlake Brewery closed down in 2015 but its Victorian buildings still dominate the town as they await redevelopment. We’ll walk along the riverside to see the University Stone marking the finishing line of the annual Oxford v Cambridge Boat Race, we’ll admire some elegant 18^th century houses  and see the site where the famous Mortlake tapestries were made by  17^th century Flemish weavers.  We’ll see a hidden air raid shelter, visit two  historic churches  and hear of some famous residents from Tudor times to the present day. Our tour finishes with a chance to view the spectacular tomb of a Victorian explorer.

EAST LONDON

From Films to Philanthropy – Explore Leytonstone
Adjacent to Epping Forest and Wanstead Flats, Leystonstone was once a country retreat for well to do City gents surrounded by open countryside. One of the grand houses Leytonstone House, home to the Philanthropic Buxton family remains and on this tour we will see the house and learn of that family’s connections with abolition of the slave trade. Elsewhere, we will hear about more recent notable residents including a footballer, a pop star, a fashion photographer, an early tv chef and the film director known as “The Master of Suspense”. In amongst the roads and railways we’ll walk through green spaces, see a pub that was a drinking haunt of highwaymen and finish at a community centre which was once a home for “fallen girls”, now renovated with a good café for refreshment.

NORTH LONDON

Actors, Almshouses, Parks and Peace – Discover Friern Barnet
This exploration of one of North London’s lesser known suburbs reveals attractive green spaces, a notorious asylum, a statue of a Queen , two Victorian churches, the burial place of a forgotten 18^th century playwright and a hidden theatre that kick started the career of one of Britain’s favourite actors. All this and more will be revealed on this tour of a rarely explored corner of Greater London.

From Swimmers To Cyclists and a Park to a Picture Gallery – Discover Herne Hill
Not as well known as it’s neighbours in Brixton and Dulwich, Herne Hill is a revelation with impressive Victorian houses, independent shops , attractive green spaces, a Lido and plaques to notable people including an author, a leading art critic and a sports coach. Throw in a sporting venue, a statue of an Elizabethan superstar and ending in one of London’s villages , an ideal place to take refreshment, you’ll want to move to the area after taking this walk!

From Films to Philanthropy – Explore Leytonstone
Adjacent to Epping Forest and Wanstead Flats, Leystonstone was once a country retreat for well to do City gents surrounded by open countryside. One of the grand houses Leytonstone House, home to the Philanthropic Buxton family remains and on this tour we will see the house and learn of that family’s connections with abolition of the slave trade. Elsewhere, we will hear about more recent notable residents including a footballer, a pop star, a fashion composer, an early tv chef and the film director known as “The Master of Suspense”. In amongst the roads and railways we’ll walk through green spaces, see a pub that was a drinking haunt of highwaymen and finish at a community centre which was once a home for “fallen girls”, now renovated with a good café for refreshment.

Actors, Almshouses, Parks and Peace – Discover Friern Barnet
This exploration of one of North London’s lesser known suburbs reveals attractive green spaces, a notorious asylum, a statue of a Queen , two Victorian churches, the burial place of a forgotten 18^th century playwright and a hidden theatre that kick started the career of one of Britain’s favourite actors. All this and more will be revealed on this tour of a rarely explored corner of Greater London.

ALL THE GROUP TOURS