This autumn, get out and about in the streets, parks and hidden spaces of London as the Literary Footprints Festival 2021 gets underway. There’s a choice of in-person and virtual tours with an eclectic array of themed walks to discover.
This annual festival is hosted by the knowledgeable guides from the Footprints of London tour company. The walks and tours on offer all have a connection to classic plays, well-loved books or renowned authors. And it runs for the whole month of October, so there’s plenty of opportunity to join in.
This year’s Literary Footprints walks and tours
So, what’s on offer at this year’s event? Well, there’s a bit of something for everyone, from bookworms and curious minds, to history buffs and culture vultures. You can enjoy virtual tours that delve into the worlds of people like Oscar Wilde, Churchill and Shakespeare; taking in the locations that played a big part in their lives. Or you can head out with guides to explore the haunts of authors and characters, taking in fascinating areas such as Bankside, Bloomsbury and Clerkenwell.
And if you fancy something a little more offbeat, then there’s a selection of quirkier tours too. Head out with guide David Charnick to discover stories of spies and assassinations with Dangerous Secrets. Or take the alternative tour, London Destroyed with Rob Smith, for a sci-fi take on the West End. Online, you can follow guide Mark Rowland on his virtual tour of a murky London at night with Dickens after Dark.
Established in 2011, Footprints of London is a company offering guided walks with a difference. They’re owned by the guides, who are all qualified and accredited by at least one of the London guiding associations, so they know their stuff. All the walks are researched and written by the guides themselves, so you’ll get a unique perspective.
For more fascinating festivals, head over here!
When: 1st – 31st October 2021
Where: Across London and online
£: Tickets cost £12 for each walking tour or £9 for concessions. Virtual tours cost £6 each
More info: footprintsoflondon.com/literaryfestival