Dickensian Walking Tour in London with Brit Icon Tours
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2–3 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most adults with basic mobility; walking on urban terrain with some staircases.
Overview
Step into Victorian London with Brit Icon Tours’ private Charles Dickens walking tour. Trace the novelist's footsteps through the city’s iconic sites, concluding with a drink at a Dickensian pub.
Charles Dickens London Walking Tour • Private
For all ages! • 2 ½ hours • Private Tour!
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About This Adventure
Embark on a captivating journey through Dickensian London, tracing the footsteps of Charles Dickens himself. Explore iconic sites from his novels, including locations from "Oliver Twist," while your expert guide shares intriguing stories and literary insights. Conclude your adventure at a charming pub, a favorite haunt of Dickens enthusiasts.
Welcome to Dickensian London!
Duration
2 ½ hours
About
Welcome to Dickensian London! Join our Dickens tour London and journey into the city of London that Charles Dickens would have known. Dickens suffered from insomnia and spent many sleepless nights walking the streets of London, collecting locations and inspiration to include in his novels. On this Dickens walk, we will follow in his footsteps and explore some of the buildings and streets that feature in Dicken’s novels and still exist today.
The Dickens London Walking Tour starts from Farringdon Tube station, heading towards some sites from Oliver Twist including where Fagin and the Artful Dodger induct Oliver into pickpocketing amongst shoppers in the busy market once held there.
The tour takes several famous London landmarks, and you’ll see ‘the great black dome of Saint Paul’s bulging at you from behind a grim stone building.’
At the end of the tour, an enchanting stop awaits you at a quaint pub you will see a pub as a gathering place for Dicken’s fans of a Tale of Two cities!
Your guide will reveal significant moments in Dickens’ life and explain how these have weaved into his books. You will learn about real-life people and the fictional characters they inspired.
Throughout the tour, there will be several opportunities to stop and take photos while your expert guide shares some extracts from Dicken’s writings and points out how they have changed or survived from Victorian London to the modern day.
The Dickens tour highlights several of London’s iconic sites. You will learn trivia about Charles Dickens and hear facts about the locations visited, both modern and Dickensian. Many of Dicken’s books are mentioned during the tour, including Little Dorritt, Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Great Expectations, Bleak House, A Dinner At Poplar Walk and A Tale of Two Cities.
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The tour finishes at a Dickensian pub off Fleet Street.
Adventure Tips
Wear comfortable shoes
The tour covers several miles on city streets with uneven pavement.
Bring a rain jacket
London weather can be unpredictable; having rain gear ensures your walk won’t be cut short.
Plan for private tour pacing
This private tour allows personalized engagement but expect about 2-3 hours of walking.
Bring questions for your guide
The expert guides welcome deep literary and historical inquiries to enrich your experience.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Urban foxes common in quieter London backstreets
- Pigeons and sparrows in city squares
History
London's Victorian era transformed the city both architecturally and socially, providing a vivid backdrop for Dickens’ novels.
Conservation
Brit Icon Tours practices respectful tourism, encouraging visitors to preserve the historic urban environment and minimize waste during their visits.
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Adventure Hotspots in London
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Comfortable walking shoes
Supportive footwear is crucial for navigating city streets and uneven pavement throughout the tour.
Layered clothing
Layering helps adjust to London’s variable weather during outdoor walking tours.
all specific
Rain jacket or umbrella
To stay dry in the frequent London showers that could otherwise disrupt your experience.
all specific
Reusable water bottle
Keeping hydrated is important during warm weather and longer walks.
summer specific