On Sundays
we pluck just one walk from the vast London Walks repertoire and put it centre
stage.
You can check out the full schedule at www.walks.com.
But if you only take one walking tour this week, why not make it…
Viva Vauxhall!
Vauxhall Tube, exit 2 10.45 am on Sunday, April 16 Guided by Isobel
Hidden Gardens, James Bond, Pottery & Pleasure Gardens, Thames & Tea.
That's where we're taking you on this Tour du Jour, what this walk is about. "Yea, right, Vauxhall," you say.
Okay, let's answer the implied question: why go on the walk? Because there's something very solid and inspiring going on in Vauxhall, that's why. It is of course known for its historic pleasure gardens, for giving its name to a car, for being home to Jeffrey Archer and MI6, but probably most of all to the many people who drive through it or see it from the windows of trains, for a fearsome traffic junction. Which is to say, it's really not known at all. This is central London that's well and truly undiscovered London. But it's worth uncovering – worth discovering. Because away from the slash and gash of the multi lanes and railway lines, this neighbourhood is full of character and interest. It's anything but non-descript. As guide Isobel puts it, "the more I researched the walk, the more I got the sense of overlapping strong communities; of individuals and groups who have created important local projects with little cash and a lot of what the business community likes to call blue sky thinking. Blue sky and yet very earthed."
PRACTICALS
The meeting point for the Viva Vauxhall walk is just outside exit 2 of Vauxhall Tube. The Viva Vauxhall walk will take place at 10.45 am on Sunday, April 16.
About Your Guide…
Isobel
Isobel is an artist, journalist, linguist, prize-winning Blue Badge Guide and London Walks' token aristocrat. One of her ancestors introduced the waltz to this country.
A London Walk costs £10 – £8 concession. To join a London Walk, simply meet your guide at the designated tube station at the appointed time. Details of all London Walks can be found at www.walks.com.
