Welcome to the final Camden Guides newsletter of 2023. Just three walks as we come to the end of the year, and the first of these takes place tomorrow, Sunday the 3rd of December, and which offers a Christmas walk around a north London village:
Christmas in Hampstead Village
Join Elena Paolini for a historic but fun Christmas walk in charming Hampstead Village.
Did you know that the first Christmas card was designed by a Hampstead resident almost 200 years ago? And that the Victorian cookery writer who gave us the first recipe for a “Christmas pudding” is buried in Hampstead?
You will hear these Christmas-related stories and many more on this guided walk in charming Hampstead Village. As the sun sets and the twinkly lights begin to illuminate the cobbled lanes and quaint cottages, you will be transported to a bygone era, reminiscent of Charles Dickens’ timeless tales.
Hampstead Village is picture-perfect any time of the year, but it’s positively magical at Christmas. So grab yourself some mulled wine and join me for a festive stroll.
The walk takes place on Sunday the 3rd of December and can be booked at this link.
Edwardian Emporiums and Forgotten Factories: a history walk in Bloomsbury
Step back in time and stroll through the enchanting streets of Bloomsbury with our accredited guides Elena and Ellika. We will bring to life the forgotten stories of a bygone era as we explore the eclectic array of shops and factories that once populated this historic district. From quaint corner stores to opulent emporiums, discover the fascinating evolution of commerce in Bloomsbury in the Victorian and Edwardian eras and beyond.
As we meander through Bloomsbury’s crescents and mews, we’ll discover the remnants of old factories and workshops that once churned out beds, furniture, sweets, toys and an assortment of other wares, each a testament to the vibrant industries that thrived in this district often better known for its poets and artists. We’ll delve into the rise of the shopgirl and her pioneering role in transforming London’s retail landscape and women’s lives.
Join us for a journey through time in a neighbourhood where the echoes of commerce and craftsmanship linger in every brick and cobblestone.
The walk takes place on Sunday the 10th of December and can be booked at this link.
Slums and Squares and Rock n’Roll
You will probably know lots of bits of the St Giles’ area: Tottenham Court Rd tube, Centrepoint, Shaftesbury Ave, Seven Dials…but you probably don’t know how the area came to be as it is. A fascinating story of ancient roadways meeting, a medieval leper colony, a failed posh residential district, a notorious Victorian slum and the most unspoilt Georgian square in London. I would be delighted to help you explore all this (and see the street where Elton John worked as a tea boy and the Rolling Stones and Genesis recorded their earliest singles).
The walk takes place on Saturday 16th of December, and can be booked at this link.
Our next newsletter will be on the first Saturday of January, 2024.