Welcome to the December newsletter of our walks and events for the coming month, and again this month we have a comprehensive range of walks, including some Christmas themed walks, a visit to one of the Clerkenwell’s historic features, and we start with a unique challenge:
Over the winter months Islington Guided Walks can offer you a new challenge!
Three separate towers in Islington offer incomparable views of the City and London as a whole. Each has a fabulous history. Climb all three and receive a free certificate to prove you have scaled the heights of Islington.
Caledonian Clock Tower
This beautiful Victorian clock tower, built in 1855 as part of the once-bustling Metropolitan Cattle Market, is now open for tours that showcase the intricate workings of its 19th-century clock and offer breath taking views over London. Tours include a climb up the tower’s 178 steps, If you make it to the top you are rewarded with a 360-degree view over London, stretching to Canary Wharf, and the Olympics site from an open balcony.
Booking at Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/caledonian-market-clock-tower-tour-tickets-1042793662917
St Mary’s Church Tower, Upper St
St Mary’s, Islington on Upper Street has played a central role in the history of Islington for a thousand years. As well as providing a glimpse into the history of St Mary’s and how it has influenced Islington today, you’ll also have the opportunity to climb the 120 steps to the top of the tower, giving you a bird’s-eye view over London.
Booking at Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/st-mary-islington-church-and-tower-tour-tickets-542957158477
Canonbury Tower
You’ll see inside the oldest building in Islington and enjoy a magnificent view for miles over London from the roof of its tower. Canonbury Tower was built in the late 16th century and is a rare survivor of Tudor domestic architecture in London. On this 90-minute tour you’ll see the existing Tudor interiors and hear about the many notable characters associated with the building, including Thomas Cromwell of Wolf Hall fame, You’ll also have the chance to climb up to the rooftop which affords wonderful views over London in all directions.
Booking at Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/canonbury-tower-tour-tickets-475150296327
Angel at Christmas: an Islington Walk
Angel, Islington. The festive spirit is in the very name of this part of London!
Discover the history of the area – for centuries famed for its pastures, dairies, fresh water wells and pleasure gardens – and some of its associations with Christmas.
Upper Street, Islington’s main road and liveliest thoroughfare, is particularly magical in the build up to Christmas. Delve into its colourful past and enjoy its equally vibrant present through its eclectic range of shops, restaurants, theatres, pubs and cafes.
The walk lasts approximately two hours. It will take place come rain or shine, so please be prepared for all weather conditions!
Start: Outside Angel tube station, Islington High Street, N1 8XX.
Finish: a short walk from Highbury & Islington tube station.
Praise for London On The Ground’s other tours of the area:
“A great afternoon visiting a part of Islington I thought I knew but found out more and more about!”
“wonderful tour of Angel… very impressed by your extensive knowledge.”
“…a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon, the tour was brilliantly structured and Jonathan’s narrative flowed beautifully – hugely informative and very entertaining.”
This walk takes place on the 7th of December at 11:00 and can be booked by clicking here.
Christmas walk in Clerkenwell
Exploring the themes of Celebration, Religion, Charity & Tradition during the festive season with a guided walk through this historic quarter of London.
What we eat, what we drink, our Christmas traditions, the way we worship and charitable deeds are all explored as we stroll through hundreds of years of history – from Medieval through to Victorian times to the present day.
Join us as we reveal the stories behind Clerkenwell’s landmarks and buildings.
This walk takes place on the 13th, 22nd and 23rd of December and can be booked by clicking here.
The Clerks’ Well – Water, Water Everywhere
2024 marks one hundred years since the rediscovery of the medieval Clerks’ Well, unearthed in 1924 on a building site in Farringdon Lane. To mark this anniversary, you are invited to join guides from Islington Guided Walks for a short water-themed tour of the area and an opportunity to view the Clerks’ Well. Join this This free 60- minute tour is on Saturday 14th December. The tour begins at Farringdon Station and ends at the Clerks’ Well.
The walk can be booked by clicking here.
We hope that there is a walk to interest you during the month of December, and that you get an opportunity to look across London from one or more of the three Islington towers.
Our next newsletter will be on the first Sunday in January.
You must be logged in to post a comment.