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LONDON AT YOUR FEET
LONDON AT YOUR FEET
JUST A FEW OF SOME OF ELLI'S HISTORICAL WALKS & TALKS
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ELLI FOR A FULL LIST OF WALKS & TALKS.
ELLI FOR A FULL LIST OF WALKS & TALKS.
- SHAKESPEARE'S LONDON: Will was born in 1564 and died in Stratford on Avon aged 52, but during his playwriting & acting career, spent about 20 years in London. In the 16th century, Southwark was Tudor London’s playground as it was outside of the City of London’s jurisdiction and therefore not bound by law and order. This area south of the river Thames was a hotbed of drunkenness, vice and prostitution, populated with licensed brothels, playhouse theatres, gambling dens and cruel sports. Theatre had not yet become respectable!
On our walk, discover the colourful history surrounding the area in Shakespeare’s day, talk of frost fairs and see the site of two of his original theatres, as well as a mediaeval palace and barbaric prison.
- A Jewish heritage walk in the East End to remember the ARRIVAL & SURVIVAL of the Jewish people in London in the late 19th/early 20th centuries. See where and how they arrived in the Port of London, discover the sites of the Poor Jews Temporary Shelter, their settlements and places of refuge. We will also visit the scene of the famous Battle of Cable Street and later hear about philanthropists, social reformers and the origins of Jewish youth clubs.
- NOBS, TOFFS & DANDIES: A 300 year history of posh shopping in Mayfair for 'refined ladies and discerning gentlemen'. Combined with dazzling shop windows and glittering arcades, this is retail therapy for the privileged, with Churchill's cigarmaker, Nelson & Wellington's hatters & bootmakers, the Queen's grocer & dressmaker. Discover the gentleman’s ruff collar, dandy Beau Brummel's fashions, royal warrants, designers and toffs.
- POVERTY, PLAGUE & POX: With the ever present threat of infectious diseases there was a big population in need of health and welfare care. In the middle ages this was embedded in the religious life of the City. Monks and nuns cared for the sick, old needy and orphaned. With the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century the huge gap left by their work was recognised and some of their institutions were refounded as secular hospitals, orphanages etc. The walk takes us to places of nursing and charity works and shines the light on individuals who helped their needy co residents of the City of London.
- STRONG WOMEN OF BOW: Follow in the paths of political pioneers, philanthropists, suffragettes, social reformers and legendary women (and maybe a man or two), all associated with Bow, in the East End of London. See the setting for the legendary match girls strike and the prime minister with their blood on his hands
- BLOOMSBURY is home to various hospitals, medical research centres and medical trusts. We will look at those who made a difference for the not so fortunate in society in days gone by, in particular, Dickens, Hogarth, Handel & Peter Pan himself J.M. Barrie who all highlighted and raised funds for children's causes
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