Shakespeare in the City Walk - In Shakespeare's footsteps North of the Thames

Highlights

Itinerary

1. 1

   This is the starting point for the 'Shakespeare in the City Walk'. Meet me outside Blackfriars UNDERGROUND Station. Blackfriars underground station is on the Circle & District Lines. (Be careful - do NOT go South of the river to Blackfriars overground station). There is only one exit so you won't miss me. I will be standing metres away from that underground station exit, with a sign on my rucksack featuring Shakespeare's face.

   2 minutes•Admission free

2. 2

   Royal Observatory Greenwich

   A Shakespeare statue most people miss. Shakespeare's popularity. Why you should ignore the conspiracy theories.

   5 minutes•Admission free•See on map

3. 3

   Royal Observatory Greenwich

   The location of the original Blackfriars Theatre, and why you had to be rich to attend

   plus how rich Shakespeare himself became.

   10 minutes•Admission free•See on map

4. 4

   Royal Observatory Greenwich

   The remaining fragment of the Blackfriars Monastery. Shakespeare's thematic obessions.

   5 minutes•Admission free•See on map

5. 5

   Royal Observatory Greenwich

   A really lovely, hidden quiet location connecting Shakespeare and King James.

   5 minutes•Admission free•See on map

6. 6

   Royal Observatory Greenwich

   The site of a Shakespeare house in London, and its fate. The play likely written here. PLUS, a church with a hidden sculpture of Shakespeare praying, and a very important document. The Researcher who makes Americans proud. The play 'Richard 111' and its connections to the area.

   15 minutes•Admission free•See on map

7. 7

   Royal Observatory Greenwich

   An extraordinary hidden totem pole made from a very famous William Shakespeare speech. You would NEVER find this weird and wonderful monument by yourself! Declan, who used to be a professional actor, gives the entire speech. Next, The College of Arms and the Shakespeare family's coat of arms. Why that honour came two months too late. Plus Ben Jonson's joke at Shakespeare's expense. Also information about Shakespeare's children.

   15 minutes•Admission free•See on map

8. 8

   Royal Observatory Greenwich

   On to a plaque revealing Shakespeare's generosity, why you should keep looking in dusty attics, plus the background to Shakespeare's two daughters and their very different fortunes.

   7 minutes•Admission free•See on map

9. 9

   St. Paul's Cathedral

   To the magnificent St Pauls Cathedral and a breathtaking revelation about it (although we don't go inside). Shakespeare's best ever seller, plus his sonnets and a reasonable interpretation of his sexuality. Declan's favourite words by anyone EVER (clue: it's only 4 words and they are by William Shakespeare. And they are cosmic).

   10 minutes•Admission free•See on map

10. 10

    Royal Observatory Greenwich

    Next a section on Shakespeare's amazing vocabulary, and why it just wasn't enough. The location of a pub he drank in and who else drank there. Plus a section on Shakespeare's religion, and why he was lonely and reclusive.

    12 minutes•Admission free•See on map

11. 11

    Royal Observatory Greenwich

    Up next, a bust of William Shakespeare, and the men who honoured him

    which plays we would lack without them. Plus revelations about his writing style. Also why you should NOT get all starry-eyed thinking about Love Lane!

    7 minutes•Admission free•See on map

12. 12

    Royal Observatory Greenwich

    The location of Shakespeare's second house, and why Shakepeare ended up in this area. Plus the full story of how Shakespeare made a marriage and then regretted it.

    7 minutes•Admission free•See on map

13. 13

    Finally, at a church he knew, the two best known actors of his age, and the sad case of his brother Edmund.

    Declan finishes with another complete and hauntingly beautiful speech from Shakespeare's last play, in which Shakespeare gets cosmic again. The speech is perfect because it is about saying goodbye...

    7 minutes•Admission free

14. 14

    Royal Observatory Greenwich

    Declan then walks to Barbican underground station if you want to accompany him to join the underground train system. Barbican is on three different underground lines: The Circle, Metropolitan, and Hammersmith & City Lines. By the end of this magical tour I promise - and the rave reviews here on TripAdvisor agree - that you will know William Shakespeare, and his London, infinitely better!

    5 minutes•Admission free•See on map

Meeting point

Meet me outside the ONLY EXIT at Blackfriars underground station. Blackfriars underground station is on the Circle and District lines.

The map shows London. The exact meeting point is the address above.Open larger map

Pickup

• Everyone meets at the start point

Know before you go

• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• Children must be accompanied by an adult. Recommended age for a child: 10 years and above.
• A maximum of 15 people per booking
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
• Mobile or paper ticket accepted
• One per booking
• • Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Valid from the time of first use, for the duration selected.

Cancellation and refunds

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.