Scheduled Walks 2010
Sat 7 Aug 2 p.m.
Sun 15 Aug 2 p.m.
Thurs 26 Aug 12 noon
Sun 29 Aug 11 a.m.
Sun 12 Sep 11 a.m. The Royal Society in Westminster Caroline
Fri 17 Sep 10 a.m.
Sat 18 Sep 10 a.m.
Sat 18 Sep 12 noon
Sat 18 Sep 2 p.m.
Sat 18 Sep 4 p.m.
Sat 2 Oct 1 p.m.
Sat 9 Oct 11 a.m.
Sun 10 Oct 10 a.m.
Tues 12 Oct 3.15 p.m.
Thurs 14 Oct 6 p.m.
Sat 23 Oct 11 a.m.
Thurs 11 Nov 6 p.m.
Fri 12 Nov 10 a.m.
Sat 20 Nov 11 a.m.
Sat 27 Nov 11 a.m.

 

Architectural Highlights of Paddington
Description: This walk starts with the engineering and architectural feats of Isambard Kingdom Brunel and his colleagues, finishes with elegant waterside Regency terraces in Little Venice, and along the way takes in the ultra-modern developments along Paddington Basin by some of today’s leading architects.
Duration: About 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Meeting point: Brunel statue, Platform 1, Paddington Station.
Cost: These walks are free to the public, courtesy of the Paddington Waterside Partnership.
Booking: Booking is essential – go to www.inpaddington.com.

 

Erno Goldfinger and 2 Willow Road
Description: 2 Willow Road, a National Trust property in Hampstead NW3, is a unique Modernist home designed by architect Erno Goldfinger in 1939 for himself and his family. With surprising design details that were ground-breaking at the time and still feel fresh today, the house also contains the Goldfingers' impressive collection of modern art, intriguing personal possessions and innovative furniture.
Duration: About I hour, including 15-minute video at the start.
Meeting point: 2 Willow Road, Hampstead NW3 1TH.
See http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-2willowroad.htm
Cost: Free to National Trust members; £5.50 to non-members; £8 for joint ticket with Fenton House.
Booking: Places on tours are limited and available on a first-come-first-served basis on the day.

 

Heart of the City
Description: This walk takes you around the centre of the historic and surprising City of London. You will see two thousand years of history on this walk, starting from the Romans, and building up to the vibrant 21st century city we have today. This walk will take you past some of the City’s most famous and iconic buildings as well as uncover some of its secret places and fascinating facts.
Duration: About 90 minutes
Meeting point: City Information Centre, St Paul's Churchyard EC4M 8BX
Cost: £6 per person
Booking: Just turn up on the day

 

Historic Smithfield
Description: This walk starts at St Paul’s Cathedral and takes you through the western side of the City, past Wren churches, through Postman's Park to St Bartholomew's Hospital, where you will learn about some of the City's business, religious and medical past.
Duration: About 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Meeting point: City Information Centre, St Paul's Churchyard EC4M 8BX. Click for map.
Cost: £6 per person.
Booking: Just turn up.

 

History of Medicine in Paddington
Description: St Mary’s Hospital and the canals provide the background to this walk which explores topics like the role war has played in medical discovery, the epidemics of the 18th and 19th centuries, the hospital itself and of course the discovery of penicillin.
Duration: About 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Meeting point: By the archway at the front of St Mary's Hospital, Praed Street, London W2 1NY
Cost: These walks are free to the public, courtesy of the Paddington Waterside Partnership.
Booking: Booking is essential – go to www.inpaddington.com.

 

History of Medicine in the City
Description: Starting at London’s oldest hospital, this walk takes you through over two thousand years of medicine. Hear about health and treatment through the ages, including how the Romans performed surgery, the grisly trade of body snatching, and how the plague affected this part of London. On this walk you’ll see some of the City’s oldest buildings and hidden gems and discover how the health and illness of the people who lived here over the centuries have left their mark on the City we see today and our current medical and surgical practices.
Duration: About 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Meeting point: The fountain in the square at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, West Smithfield EC1A 7BE. Click for map.
Cost: £8 per person.
Booking: Please e-mail Barbara on barbara@talesof2cities.co.uk or text her on 07595 368596 – or just turn up!

The London of Samuel Pepys
Description: Samuel Pepys is famous for his diary, of course, but it is less well known that he served as the President of the Royal Society for two years and that Isaac Newton’s Principia carries his imprimatur. This walk takes you around the sites in the heart of the City that Pepys frequented and gives you a special opportunity to visit St Olave’s, Hart Street, the church at which Pepys and his wife worshipped and where they are buried.
Duration: About 2 hours.
Meeting point: The Royal Exchange, Bank EC3V 3LR (by the statue of the Duke of Wellington).
Cost: £10 per person to include refreshments at St Olave’s.
Booking: No booking necessary. For more information about events being organised for the Royal Society’s 350th anniversary, see www.royalsociety.org.

The Royal Society in the Enlightenment
Description: Built in the 1820s as a home for the King’s Library, the Enlightenment Gallery at the British Museum is considered one of the finest interiors in London. On this guided tour you will hear the story of the Royal Society’s role in the Age of Enlightenment. You will see fascinating objects collected by Hans Sloane, President of the Royal Society and founder of the British Museum, and by other Fellows including explorers James Cook and Joseph Banks on their voyages of discovery.
Duration: About 1 hour.
Meeting point: To be advised on booking
Cost: £8 per person.
Booking: Please e-mail caroline.dunmore@btinternet.com to book your place. For more information about events being organised for the Royal Society’s 350th anniversary, see www.royalsociety.org.

The Royal Society in the City of London
Description: This walk reveals many intriguing sites in the heart of the City with links to Fellows of the Royal Society. You will hear about Isaac Newton’s work at the Royal Mint, Edmond Halley’s adventures at sea and Humphry Davy’s experiments at Newgate Prison. You will explore the alleys where Christopher Wren and Robert Hooke frequented coffee-houses, and learn all about their involvement in the rebuilding of London after the Great Fire, finishing at Wren’s supreme legacy to Londoners, St Paul’s Cathedral.
Duration: About 1 hour 30 minutes.
Meeting point: The Monument, Monument Street EC3R 8AH.
Cost: £8 per person.
Booking: No booking necessary. For more information about events being organised for the Royal Society’s 350th anniversary, see www.royalsociety.org.

The Royal Society in the History of Medicine
Description: Starting at London’s oldest hospital and finishing at one of its great churches, this walk takes you through the Royal Society’s involvement in the history of medicine. You’ll find out about the contribution to the development of medical science made by Royal Society Fellows such as Percivall Pott and Alexander Fleming and hear how Samuel Pepys survived surgery before anaesthetic. This walk shows how the health and illness of the people who have lived and died in the City of London over the centuries have left their mark on the City we see today and our current medical and surgical practices.
Duration: About 1 hour 45 minutes.
Meeting point: St Bartholomew’s Hospital, West Smithfield EC1A 7BE (by the fountain in the square).
Cost: £8 per person.
Booking: No booking necessary. For more information about events being organised for the Royal Society’s 350th anniversary, see www.royalsociety.org.

The Royal Society in Westminster
Description: This walk shows you the three beautiful homes the Royal Society has had since 1780: Somerset House, Burlington House and Carlton House Terrace. Along the way you will see many other less-well-known sites related to leading Fellows, including Joseph Banks, Humphry Davy, Michael Faraday and Charles Darwin, and hear the stories of their remarkable achievements.
Duration: About 1 hour 45 minutes.
Meeting point: Somerset House, Strand WC2R 0RN (by the entrance to the Courtauld Gallery).
Cost: £8 per person.
Booking: No booking necessary. For more information about events being organised for the Royal Society’s 350th anniversary, see www.royalsociety.org.