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

based on 78 reviews

Duration:2 hours (approx.)
Location: London, England

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Your Guide, Declan McHugh, has spent 40 years studying and researching William Shakespeare, and is especially knowledgeable about Shakespeare's London life. He will take you to hidden, beautiful places In London connected to Shakespeare. His passionate and knowledgeable words will summon up for you Shakespeare's life in his London: his friends, the places he knew, his work, his language, even his intriguing love-life!

You walk in William Shakespeare's footsteps NORTH of the river Thames. You will be shown many memorials to Shakespeare including statues, plaques, busts, and even a 20 foot (7 metre) aluminium totem pole incorporating one of his greatest speeches!

Plus - the icing on the cake - Declan, is a former professional actor and delivers some of Shakespeare's most famous speeches - just for you...

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

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.
A Shakespeare statue most people miss. Shakespeare's popularity. Why you should ignore the conspiracy theories.
3.
The location of the original Blackfriars Theatre, and why you had to be rich to attend; plus how rich Shakespeare himself became.
4.
The remaining fragment of the Blackfriars Monastery. Shakespeare's thematic obessions.
5.
A really lovely, hidden quiet location connecting Shakespeare and King James.
6.
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.
7.
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.
8.
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.
9.
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.
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.
11.
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!
12.
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.
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...
14.
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!

ADDITIONAL INFO

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Posted By : alanag480
Great tour. The places included are off the beaten path and little known facts of Shakespeare are sprinkled throughout the tour. The tour guide was very knowledgeable with many snarky and witty quips and even recited full Shakespearean speeches in full dramatic effect. Would recommend to Shakespeare fans and people on holiday in London.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-22 07:33:06

Posted By : Deborah_C
Declan was an excellent guide. Passionate about Shakespeare’s history, he enthusiastically presented historical information and entertaining stories about the Bard. As a small group, he took time to interact with each of us while guiding us to places we never would have found ourselves. If you are interested in Shakespeare, this is a fantastic tour for you.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-16 05:02:11

Posted By : Dream241823
Great tour, Declan was very knowledgeable and entertaining. Joining instructions were very clear. Would definitely recommend this walking tour and look forward to booking one of his other walking tours!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-14 14:42:30

Posted By : johnwZ9766NN
Great tour of Shakespeare’s life on the north side of the Thames. Well researched, funny and very interesting. Really worth doing.
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Posted On : 2024-06-14 14:05:10

Posted By : Fee1963
Declan is a really engaging guide, with lots of great information. We walked for two hours and learnt so much about lesser known aspects of Shakespeare’s life and times in London. The time passed so quickly with all the detail Declan imparted to us. We were a group of six and the walk was comfortable for everyone.
I would thoroughly recommend both the tour and Declan as a guide.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-14 13:09:03

Posted By : Sherpa41431054797
Great tour to see the lesser known side of Shakespeare. Really cool bits of history you never knew you needed to know. Tour guide was very engaging and was full of fun information.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-08 03:04:50

Posted By : kanoat2024
Declan was extremely passionate and well-researched about Shakespeare! He gives his audience hidden gems that not many Londoners know about, and does so with such amazing gusto and love.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-31 08:11:06

Posted By : glorialR9613YC
Amazing tour. He is clearly an expert on Shakespeare. Very entertaining! Many of the places we visited we wouldn't have other wise!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-31 08:09:00

Posted By : Sherpa52850794906
Wonderful tour of areas Shakespeare lived and wrote at within the city- loved the occasional monologue recital, was so enriching, thank you!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-05 16:15:57

Posted By : Elaine45
On an unusually cold and wet day in May, Declan gave us a fascinating insight into the London that Shakespeare knew, taking us to little-known corners and conjuring up lost fragments of the city with deft and well-documented detail. The research, knowledge and enthusiasm that underpin this tour are significant and Declan provides just the right combination of facts, insights, theories, interaction and some very well-chosen and beautifully delivered extracts from the Bard himself. Friendly, informative, entertaining and inspiring - I could have listened for hours!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-03 10:12:05