Oliver Twist: a Private Tour

Suitable for all age groups. Please note all children must be accompanied by an adult.

Duration

90 minutes

About

Oliver Twist Private Tour: A Journey into 1837 London

From Angel to Farringdon – Discover the Streets of Dickensian London

Step back in time to the London of 1837, a city teetering on the edge of change. The Victorian era had just begun, yet the great social reforms of the Age of Improvement were still years away. Poverty and crime were rife, workhouses loomed over the destitute, and the city’s criminal underworld flourished in its dark, winding alleys.

On this exclusive private walking tour, led by a qualified London guide, you’ll follow the route described in Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, tracing the final leg of Oliver’s journey into the capital’s most notorious corners.

Starting at Angel Tube Station, we step into the pages of Dickens’ novel, where the Artful Dodger first introduces young Oliver to the world of thieves and scoundrels. As we make our way to Farringdon, we’ll pass through streets Dickens knew intimately, uncovering the real-life inspirations behind his characters, settings, and social commentary.

What to Expect on Your Private Tour

🔹 Tailored Experience – As a private tour, this walk is exclusive to your group, allowing for a personalised experience. Whether you're a Dickens enthusiast, a history lover, or simply curious about London’s past, your guide will adapt the tour to suit your interests.

🔹 Expert Storytelling from a Qualified Guide – With years of experience bringing London’s history to life, your guide will transport you to the streets of 19th-century London, painting vivid pictures of the era’s hardships, villains, and survivors.

🔹 A Deep Dive into Dickens’ World – We’ll explore:

• The real streets that inspired Oliver Twist and how they’ve changed (or not) since Dickens’ time.
• The grim reality of workhouses, the Poor Law, and the social divide between rich and poor.
• The burial practices of the time, from paupers’ graves to the scandal of body snatching.
• The infamous crime hotspots of Hockley-in-the-Hole and Saffron Hill, once teeming with pickpockets, highwaymen, and shady characters like Fagin and Bill Sikes.

🔹 A Walk Through London’s Underworld – Discover how Dickens’ work was rooted in reality, exposing the city’s hidden slums and criminal networks. Victorian London was a treacherous place, especially after dark, where thieves and rogues lurked in wait. We’ll step into that world and see it through Dickens’ eyes.

Tour Details

📍 Start: Angel Tube Station
📍 End: Farringdon
⏳ Duration: 90 minutes
♿ Step-free route – fully accessible

This private tour offers a unique opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Oliver Twist and the Artful Dodger, discovering the story behind the story with an experienced London guide.

Join us for an unforgettable journey into the heart of Dickensian London.

Oliver Twist Tour Reviews:

Stephen (5/5) - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This was a fantastic tour of Dickensian London. Our guide - Hazel is a fount of knowledge on London past and present. I discovered lots of things around the corner from where I live that were completely new to me including a shop which I plan to go back to."

Anonymous (5/5) - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Absolutely fascinating walk. Makes you see this part of London very differently. Having a reread of Oliver Twist now. Hazel is a fabulous guide and I would highly recommend!"

Veronica (5/5) - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Really excellent. So much I didn't realise it think about in regards to Oliver twist and his London and times. The films of course pretty everything up. Hazel talked about life as it was. Kept up a good place and made the information intestinal for everyone in the group."