London history & walks

London History Walks & Courses

From its Bronze Age beginnings to capital status, London has witnessed growth and destruction throughout its long history. Join us for lively classroom and online discussions as well as our popular walks around the city and discover who and what has left their mark on the city.

Watch City Lit tutor Eleanor Jackson explore some of London's secret spaces:

Courses available both in-person and online

We offer a range of long and short courses allowing you to choose between online and in-person learning. All our courses are live, interactive, and taught by expert tutors. No matter how you prefer to learn, we've got the class for you. See our guide to online learning for more information about accessing our live online courses.

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  1. The London of Bram Stoker and Dracula
    Evening
    Course start date:  Tue 31 Oct 2023

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Diane Burstein
    Although born in Ireland, Bram Stoker came to London to work with the great Actor Manager Henry Irving at the Lyceum Theatre and spent the rest of his life here. While working at the Lyceum he published his most famous and enduring novel “Dracula” in 1897. This virtual tour takes us to the London locations of that novel so we cover a wide range of ground from Hendon to Hampstead and Piccadilly to Pimlico tracing the footsteps of the fictional vampire and his creator. Learn about the places Stoker visited, the people he knew, the library where he researched and the history of the book on stage and screen.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £12.00
  2. German history: 1923 - existential crisis and miraculous survival of the Weimar Republic
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 18 Nov 2023

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Rudolf Muhs
    1923 was a crucial year in the history of Weimar, with multiple existential challenges making it an annus horribilis while it can also be regarded as an annus mirabilis as the Republic survived almost against the odds.
    Full fee £49.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £32.00
  3. South Bank and the Festival of Britain
    Evening
    Course start date:  Tue 9 Jan 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Diane Burstein
    On this virtual tour we go back to 1951 when the Festival of Britain took Londoners out of post war austerity to marvel at the latest innovations in art, design, industry and technology at a festival to celebrate the centenary of the Great Exhibition of 1851. Find out how this event was a catalyst for the regeneration of the entire South Bank which is today famous for its arts centre. We trace the surviving remnants of the festival including a mural by artist Topolski, two sculptures and the recently restored Royal Festival Hall. We view the post festival arts centres such as the National Theatre and finish with a great riverside panoramic view from the Oxo Tower.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £12.00
  4. From markets to malls: the history of shopping in London
    Course start date:  Tue 6 Feb 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Diane Burstein
    From the City markets and shops of Cheapside (Medieval London’s Oxford Street) we move via the historic specialist shops of St James’s to the grand department stores and London markets. Discover how Londoners changed their shopping habits through the years and learn about the history of some of our most famous stores. A shop founded by a royal footman, a 17th century hatter, the department store owner who went to jail for expanding his business and the store which was the scene of its owner’s murder all feature.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £12.00
  5. The old Jewish East End
    Course start date:  Mon 6 May 2024

    Location on this date:  Off Site

    Tutors:  Diane Burstein
    Today the London Jewish community is associated with areas to the North West and North East of London but this tour explores the area where Jewish people settled from 1656 onwards. Take a guided walk through the streets of the East End to reveal old synagogue buildings, a soup kitchen , markets, shops, businesses and homes associated with London’s Jewish community. We’ll hear about some of the personalities associated with the area from philanthropists to performers.



    Meets outside Liverpool Street Station , Liverpool Street Exit outside the upper concourse of the stationby the Kindertransport Memorial next to McDonalds.
    Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00
  6. Crime and punishment in Old London
    Course start date:  Mon 10 Jun 2024

    Location on this date:  Off Site

    Tutors:  Diane Burstein
    Take a guided walk through the old City and its borders taking in beheadings and brutality at the Tower, tales of cutpurses and con men, the rise of prisons and the ghastly punishments that were meted out to wrongdoers. We go on a journey to Newgate Gaol, the Bridewell Prison and the places of execution including the notorious Tyburn Tree to hear tales of brutality, escapes and the bloodthirsty crowds who watched executions. Our tour includes London’s atmospheric legal quarter taking in the Old Bailey, The Royal Courts of Justice and the Inns of Court to discover how London’s legal system developed .



    Meet outside St Paul’s Cathedral by the Statue of Queen Anne.
    Full fee £19.00
  7. Trains, drains and remains
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sun 15 Oct 2023

    Location on this date:  Off Site

    Tutors:  Marilyn Greene
    Considering the history of the city which is lying largely under our feet, we will discuss trains entering the City, the tube and post office tunnels, water conduits, hidden rivers, and archaeological remains from burials and buildings found in the city.



    Starts at Blackfriars tube station, ends near Monument station. Considering the history of the city which is lying largely under our feet, we will discuss trains entering the City, the tube and post office tunnels, water conduits, hidden rivers, and archaeological remains from burials and buildings found in the city.



    Starts at Blackfriars tube station, ends near Monument station.
    Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00
  8. Lamp-lit Hampstead
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 9 Dec 2023

    Location on this date:  Off Site

    Tutors:  Marilyn Greene
    Discover the mysterious atmosphere to Hampstead on a tour after-dark where the streets are lit by old-fashioned lamps. We will wind through the narrow back streets and catch glimpses of its fascinating history from the glow of lamps and lit buildings. This tour is particularly stunning over the Festive season where subtle Christmas lights add to the effect. We will end at the historic Holly Bush Tavern where we can warm up with a drink!



    Tour starts outside Wagamama 58-62 Heath Street, NW3 1EN Ends Hampstead Tube Station.
    Full fee £19.00
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