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Fulfil your mystical curiosity with a Harry Potter London walking tour

Monday, January 18th, 2010

With the recent release of the sixth Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the half blood Prince, it looks like no matter how much he grows up, Harry Potter is not going anywhere as his adventures just get bigger and better.

People of all ages are obsessed with Harry Potter and what better way to get involved in this magical world than with a London sightseeing tour around the locations seen in the famous Harry Potter films?

Our Harry Potter walking tour at Discovery walks is perfect for the entire family and a great day out for the children. Our London walk takes you to all the famous sites and you will see the real places where the members of Hogwarts really went.

At Discovery walks we know that children do not miss a trick, which is why our London walk of the Harry Potter sets includes areas which are in the sixth film. You will get to see everything from the Diagon alley to riding the Hogwarts train and not forgetting the famous nine and a half platform at London’s Kings Cross station.

Our Harry Potter walking tours are self guided, meaning that we provide you with a detailed map and you and your family can make your way around the places where Harry went at your own leisure.

Beware of dragons and ghastly encounters as your embark on this London walk – magical powers are essential if you are going to make it to the Hogwarts express in time.

Discover your theatrical side with a London sightseeing tour

Friday, December 18th, 2009

If showbiz is your thing then there is no better way to discover the history of London’s early theatre productions and stars than with a walking tour of London around the famous Theatreland area.

The West End of London is brimming with history, however many people forget the impact and growth of theatres in this area. As you commence on a London sightseeing tour through Theatreland you will discover where some of the greatest artistic talent began.

Dating back to the 1600’s, you will walk through areas such as Covent Garden where it was buzzing with small theatres, with shows such as The Mousetrap, which still runs today, being one of the first recognised shows to be staged.

At Discovery Walks our walking tour of Theatreland London will show you some amazing buildings. Mostly from the Victorian and Edwardian era, the beauty of these theatres will have you singing and dancing down the streets.

This London walk will tell you tales of sorrow and woe whilst also filling you with laughter. With stories about some of the great British actors and actresses being relayed as you stroll along this walking tour, you will be constantly entertained, just as the theatres intend.

For those interested in the scarier side of London, this London walk will not disappoint. With most theatres rumoured to be haunted with icons of the past, our Theatreland walking tour will regale you with anecdotes and spooky tales to make you shiver.

Seat of the soul

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

Bored, stressed, tired and feeling a bit overwhelmed at work, but not sure how to counter it? Being out in the great outdoors can often be a great source of rejuvenating the anatomy of your soul. “You have got to be kidding me” you may think to yourself.

You shouldn’t – London walks are a great stress reliever, and a great way to absorb the capital’s wonderful culture.

The sense of self

Finding solitude and a sense of “stillness” is what you can find on a London sightseeing tour. Going on a famous walk in London may be exactly what you need, just to allow yourself to ‘stand still’ for a moment, break away from the daily hustle and bustle and appreciate the beauty surrounding you in this extraordinary capital.

All year long, you had been driving around, trying to meet those all important deadlines, exposing you to every frustration bumper to bumper traffic has to offer. A London walk may be just what you need!

London walks offer you a great opportunity to break free from just that. More so, you are able to experience an uplifting endeavour such as this all by yourself, with your family, kids and loved ones.

With the many different London walks we specialise in, we like to think of ourselves as offering healing for the soul and an opportunity for you to make up for lost time – something we are all too familiar with. Reconnecting with the seat of your soul ultimately can do wonders for the next time duty calls.

Green, green grass of home

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

For a while, you had been toying with the idea of taking at least one tour through London. The city of London promises breathtaking, extraordinary sightseeing – bringing back to life its magical history; a history that surrounds the people and places in contemporary London.

A walk in London, is simply one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself

Regardless of whether you are a local or a foreigner, every traveller’s worst nightmare is being ill informed about the city’s sights and where they can be located. Here at Discovery Walks we allow you to thoroughly research your options, and we are committed to our service delivery.

Our knowledge base stretches beyond simply knowing about the best London walks you may experience in the hub of Britain’s capital. Our main priority, you will find, is based upon the premise that we want your most valued memories linger on.

Choices of walks vary, ranging from walks through the Scottish Highlands, notorious walks, to London walks through the city’s most renowned East and West Ends. You are sure to find a London walk suited to tickle your every fancy, depending on your level of sense of adventure.

You may be aware of Britain’s variable weather patterns, as well as, though limited, dangerous wildlife. Flexibility is what you, the traveller, ought to build into your approach when deciding to explore this gift to yourself. Our trained professional staff are here to offer you not only assistance with best choice of London walk, but also practical advice on making your choice of London walk pleasant, safe and last but not least, memorable.

Our Free London walks - Beyond Harry Potter

Thursday, September 24th, 2009

In 2003 Richard Jones launched his series of free London walks. Since then many people have explored London following the careful step by step directions that Richard has paced out for them.

London walks should be a liberating experience and it is our belief that our customers should have a choice. To that end we are the only London walks company that offers you both pay and join tours of London or the free print off and do it yourself option.

Our Harry Potter London walks have blazed quite a trail across the London sightseeing scene. Thousands of people have asked for the PDF of the Harry Potter Tour and treasure Hunt around London. One family, who were following the route, even had the amazing experience of encountering Daniel Radcliffe and a film grew shooting scenes for the next Harry Potter Film in Westminster.

Indeed this PDF has been so popular we’ve now decided to roll out a whole series of walking tours which will commence in November and which will feature all manner of subjects. Our Riverside London Pub Walk will be the first to go live and will take you to some amazing Riverside hostelries that have changed little in over a hundred and more years.

As we explained back in June the London Pub Walk will include a quiz and treasure hunt as well as lots of fascinating facts and history about the streets through which you walk and the pubs that you visit.

The finishing touches are just being done now and then it will go through are usual rigorous quality control whereby it will be walked several times by an independent assessor to ensure that the route and directions work and then it will be offerred up as one of our Free London walks PDF’s that you will be able to download and do as and when you choose.

Of course, if you are looking for a private group tour or an office social or team building you can book a tour guided tour with us from just £7 per person.

So there you have it, more choice of ways to see London than any other Walks company. So why not get to know us and Experience a Welcome Difference?

London walking tours - the height of adventure

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

The London spirit has a way of drawing people into it. That is why people are always finding themselves in the midst of the London hustle and bustle. Most people think that London is only about doing all the tourist attractions and having a good time.

However, in order to appreciate the city for more than its museums and sometimes gruesome history, you have to be willing to explore. That means walking around this wonderful city to find the treasures that lie deep within.

London walking tours make this possible for you. Travelling with a group, you are able to experience the heart and soul of London that makes it such a fascinating city.

Fair is fair

While you will be able to enjoy the diverse London culture, you still need to feel that you have had an adventure. After all, isn’t that what holidays are all about? We would not bother leaving our homes if this wasn’t the case! Our London walking tours offer you the best of the city, while, at the same time, learning something valuable.

This can be through simply doing the pub tour or even our infamous Jack the Ripper tour. This way you can feel part of the fabric of the city, soaking up some of its illustrious quirks as well as its culture.

So, maybe a change in the way that you see London is in order. Depending on the level of excitement that you seek, we are able to offer you a chance to expand your mind in one of the UK’s greatest cities.

Satisfy your curiosity with a London sightseeing tour

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

More and more people are finding it rather liberating to pack their bags and go on a sabbatical. With more time to kill and a small budget to hand, it is clear why people are opting to do this.

Furthermore, travelling in a group does not hinder your curiosity. In fact, travelling as a group is a great way to maximise the most out of your travel time.

When you are on your own, group activities with like-minded people are always a good way to go. A London sightseeing tour is not anything like you might be used to. We want you to feel the fabric of London as well as explore the holes that lie within it.

Getting your London fix

London is not only about being the financial capital or the architectural boudoir; it is about bringing the past to life. There is more to it than the Crown Jewels or the gruesome stories of the Tower of London.

In order for you to explore all these and the other wonders that you might not have considered, then our London sightseeing tour could be just the remedy.

A cheeky perk to enjoy is having a nice drink in one of the many pubs that London has to offer. Naturally, you could also get more intimate with the knowledge of London by doing a pub tour with us!

However curious you are about London, we are here to cater for your needs with a diverse package of our London sightseeing tours. Why not visit London, and then come back for more?

Get the true East End story with a London walk

Friday, August 21st, 2009

Are you from another part of the United Kingdom or another country and are fascinated by the East End of London history and their way of life. If so, then this walking tour is perfect for you. This London walk will take you through all the streets and buildings of the East End, to make you be able to really imagine what life was like years and years ago.

Walk through the medieval streets to discover what made this area of the city so different from the rest and what made the people in it tick. Breathe in the classic East End atmosphere to give you a real sense of adventure.

How about gangster lovers? Maybe you are a big fan of old East End gang culture or have seen the film The Krays so many times that you cannot wait to see where this evil duo grew up and committed most of their crimes and torture.

Or you may have grown up in the East End of London and want to know where you came from and if you have any traits that relate to the East End. Think back to stories your parents or grandparents told you and relive their moments through the narrow and cold streets.

See with your own eyes how little this area has changed and what makes it so unique. Of all the walks of London, this is a true insight into the history and culture that made the East End of London the charismatic place it is today.

Discover Shakespeare’s London with this London Walk

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

One thing England is famous for is its vast array of poets and literary writers. If culture and verse are what you are looking for, then you will be inspired and impressed with the London Discovery Walk showing Shakespeare’s London.

Renowned as one of the greatest poets ever, maybe you have already visited or planned a visit to Shakespeare’s home town in the Midlands, but want to see where it his career really took off. Walk the banks of the River Thames to see where this exceptional poet took the plunge and moved to the city to make a success of himself.

This London walk will show you the dark alleyways and streets which William Shakespeare will have walked through, and the drinking holes and churches that will have been a playground for the famous poet and contributed to his inspiration.

If you are fascinated by how this great dramatists mind worked and want a little London sightseeing, scour the depths of the city to hear stories of the accusations Shakespeare received from playwright Robert Greene. Pass by venues where some of the first Sonnets and Poetry were played, going back as long as the late fifteen hundreds.

For the true literary lover, what could be more spectacular than a visit to the world famous Shakespearean theatre, The Globe Theatre? Share the phenomenon of the building which has been home to some of the country’s world famous shows.

This London walk will have you hooked and fascinated, and is perfect for those wanting to celebrate and embrace true English talent.

Literary London - walks and houses

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

Our repertoire of great London walks feature several that explore London’s literary heritage.

London boasts an extremely long and rich literary tradition.

Geoffrey Chaucer lived above Aldgate, in the easternmost part of The City until 1386, and playwright Joe Orton lived on Noel Road in Islington until his 1967 murder.

Marguerite Radclyffe Hall, author of the first lesbian novel, The Well of Loneliness, lived in Chelsea and is buried in Highgate Cemetery, both of which our featured on our London walks in those areas.

Oscar Wilde, Dylan Thomas, Virginia Woolf, Fanny Burney, George Orwell, D. H. Lawrence, George Bernard Shaw, Rudyard Kipling, George Eliot, Dorothy L. Sayers, William Blake—the list of authors who made London their home goes on and on.

Alas, a little blue plaque is usually all that’s left to mark the past, but there are some exceptions.

The wonderful Georgian town house where lexicographer Samuel Johnson lived and worked, compiling the world’s first English dictionary, is now a shrine called Dr. Johnson’s House, 17 Gough Sq., Fleet Street, EC4.

His original dictionary, on display, includes the definition “Dull: to make dictionaries is dull work.” There’s not much here in the way of furnishings, but the long upstairs room in which he worked has plenty of ambience.

Thomas Carlyle’s House, 24 Cheyne Row, SW3, is an 18th-century Queen Anne on a beautiful Chelsea back street.

The Scottish author/historian/philosopher lived here 47 years, until his death in 1881. His house remains virtually unaltered, to the extent that some of the rooms are without electric light. In this eerie atmosphere you can imagine yourself sitting in one of the writer’s original Victorian chairs or playing the same piano Chopin himself played.

Dickens’s House, 48 Doughty St., WC1, was home to one of London’s most famous novelists for a short but prolific period.

It was here where he worked on  Pickwick Papers, Nicholas Nickleby, and Oliver Twist. His letters, desk and chair, and first editions are on display, along with some memorabilia of his wife, Catherine.

If you are interested in DIY London walks you might like to purchase a copy of Richard Jones’s guide to Dickens London Walking Dickensian London that offers a choice of 25 walks around the London that Dickens knew and wrote about.