Footprints of London

Celebrate the secret world in words! Photo: Cambridge Circus Sign – © David Charnick 2020 What’s your preference – George Smiley or James Bond? Both feature in this exploration of the shadowy world of secret agents in fiction. The tour features site-specific readings – some obvious, some much less so! Join me in a literary…

Explore the Shadowy World of the Secret Services! Photo: Vauxhall Cross from Vauxhall Bridge – © David Charnick 2020 The world of British Intelligence is dominated by the Security Service (MI5) and the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6). But the story of intelligence gathering and covert operations goes way beyond these two bodies. This tour considers…

Come discover the East End’s weaving industry! Photo: Former Weavers’ Cottage, Cheshire Street – © David Charnick 2021 Join me to explore traces of the East End’s first industry as we follow the ups and downs of the weaving trade. Thrill to the Cutters’ Riots and reflect on the hardships embodied in a 1797 soup…

Uncover traces of the Pool of London east of the City! Photo © 2014 Leigh Stanford – Custom House, London Docks Once the area downriver from the City of London Tower of London was alive with the maritime trade which brought goods from all over the globe. The river was alive with shipping, while sailors…

Celebrate the great defender – Rumpole of the Bailey! Photo: The Recording Angel, Central Criminal Court – © David Charnick 2020 Fortified with Château Thames Embankment, and overseen by She Who Must Be Obeyed, Rumpole of the Bailey devotes his time to keeping errant humanity out of chokey. Join me to explore Rumpole’s legal world…

Celebrate the great defender – Rumpole of the Bailey! Photo: Recording Angel, Central Criminal Court – © David Charnick 2020 Fortified with Château Thames Embankment, and overseen by She Who Must Be Obeyed, Rumpole of the Bailey devotes his time to keeping errant humanity out of chokey. Join me to explore Rumpole’s legal world through…

Celebrate the beginnings of the Isle of Dogs! Photo: the former Cubitt Arms (detail) – © 2023 David Charnick (PLEASE NOTE that aspects of this route may be problematic for persons with mobility issues. Please contact me IN ADVANCE to ensure that I can make proper provision.) In the 1840s William Cubitt headed east to…