Guided London Walks & Tours with Discovering London

The club objectives are to enhance members' knowledge and appreciation of London; to share interests with like-minded people; to have enjoyable and entertaining events. We run guided walks and visit places not normally open to the public, or where expert guides are available for group bookings.

Programme of events for May - August 2020
St Pancras Old Church
St Pancras Old Church is believed by many to be one of the oldest sites of Christian worship in England. Although the present building is largely a Victorian reconstruction, Norman and Tudor remnants can be seen. The graveyard contains famous memorials to Sir John Soane, Mary Wollstonecraft and others. On the way I will show how the King’s Cross has been redeveloped before our have a private guided tour.
Thursday 23 May

House Mill.
Originally built in 1776, on a man-made island on an existing pre-Domesday site, it is the largest surviving tidal mill in the world. The mills originally provided flour for the local bakers of Stratford-atte-Bow. Following the craze for Gin the 18th century, they were converted as part of the Three Mills Distillery. We have a private tour showing the machinery working, and talk on the history. A café is available.

Friday 31 May
Garden Museum
The Garden Museum is located in the deconsecrated Church of St Mary-at-Lambeth. It re-opened in 2017 after an 18-month redevelopment project. The collection includes tools, art, and ephemera of gardening, and a gallery about garden design. We can also climb the medieval tower. The newly designed Sackler garden contains the tombs of Captain Bligh and the Tradescants. I will do a guided walk along the river from Vauxhall before our visit.
Monday 10 June


City Gardens I will give a tour of several City Gardens which provide such a delightful contrast with the historic and modern architecture of the City. We start at St Paul’s, which provides a dramatic backdrop to the gardens with magnificent trees, including Abies Grandis and Liquidamber. Other highlights include the Cleary Gardens on the site of Roman ruins, and the romantic gardens in the ruins of Wren’s Gothic St Dunstan’s in the East.
Thursday 11 July

Sackville College Awayday
Arriving at East Grinstead we find the Bluebell Railway Station. We then have a private tour of Sackville College, a Jacobean Almshouse founded in 1609 and still in use as an Almshouse today. We see the Common room where residents used to cook meals, the Great Hall with its Minstrels’ Gallery and hammer beam roof, and the Chapel with its carved door. Coffee & biscuits are served. I will give a short tour of historic East Grinstead after lunch.
Saturday 20 July

Richmond Walk
I will lead a guided walk starting from Richmond Hill, with the famous view over the Thames that inspired the capital of Virginia to be called Richmond. From the Star & Garter we walk down through the luxuriant Terrace Gardens to the river and on to the beautiful 18C Richmond Bridge. We then see 3 other bridges before walking through the historic remains of Richmond Palace to Richmond Green with its theatrical connexions with Shakespeare.
Monday 12 August

FOR HOW TO JOIN AND BOOKING INFORMATION PLEASE TELEPHONE:
020 8654 4370 OR EMAIL ME AT:
brian.cookson@ndirect.co.uk

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