Highlights
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...
About This Deal
Departure Point
- Meet me outside the ONLY EXIT at Blackfriars underground station. Blackfriars underground station is on the Circle and District lines.
Return Details
- Right at Barbican underground station on the 1) Circle, 2) Metropolitan and 3) Hammersmith & City lines.
Duration
2 hours
Languages Available
- Human tour guide - English
Points of Interest
Stop At: St. Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Churchyard, London
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.
Duration: 2 minutes
Stop At: Shakespeare In The City Walk
Blackfriars Tube Station Meet on pavement/sidewalk outside only exit, , London
A Shakespeare statue most people miss. Shakespeare's popularity. Why you should ignore the conspiracy theories.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: St. Giles Cripplegate
Fore and Wood Streets, London Wall, London
The location of the original Blackfriars Theatre, and why you had to be rich to attend; plus how rich Shakespeare himself became.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Barbican
Aldersgate Street, England EC1A 4JA
The remaining fragment of the Blackfriars Monastery. Shakespeare's thematic obessions.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Church Entry
Church Entry, England EC4V
A really lovely, hidden quiet location connecting Shakespeare and King James.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Carter Lane
Carter Lane, England
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.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Cheapside
Cheapside, England
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.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Ireland Yard
Ireland Yard, England EC4V
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.
Duration: 7 minutes
Stop At: EC4Y 0JP
Victoria Embankment, England EC4Y 0JP
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).
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Queen Victoria Street
Queen Victoria Street, England
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.
Duration: 12 minutes
Stop At: London Wall
London Wall, England
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!
Duration: 7 minutes
Stop At: Saint Andrew's Hill
Saint Andrew's Hill, England EC4V
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.
Duration: 7 minutes
Stop At: Love Lane
Love Lane, England EC2V
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...
Duration: 7 minutes
Additional Information
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Children must be accompanied by an adult. Recommended age for a child: 10 years and above.
- A maximum of 15 people per booking
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Live entertainment
- Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points
- Professional Guide
Exclusions
- Image already added
Redemption Instructions
• Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Valid from the time of first use, for the duration selected.
Voucher Info
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
The tour identified in this promotion is made available through Viator. Groupon is not affiliated with or sponsored by the City Secrets Walks in connection with this deal. Please contact Groupon customer service for all inquiries related to this offer. Inquiries placed to Viator will be directed back to Groupon.
This offer is not eligible for promo codes.
Fine Print
14-day cancellation rights do not apply; no refunds or exchanges permitted. Voucher valid only for date and time listed; may not be exchanged or redeemed for other dates. Purchaser name and phone number must be provided at checkout; this information will be shared with Viator and the tour operator for purposes of order fulfillment. Groupon promo codes may not be used for this offer. Groupon voucher Terms of Sale do not apply. See the tour operator's terms and conditions for this offer here.
Offer is not eligible for our promo codes or other discounts.