City of Christmas Past - a yuletide London history walk for all ages
Saturday 18 December 2021
Rediscover 'Christmas Past' as it was celebrated in the City through the ages, and uncover the origins of some of our most popular yuletide traditions. We'll 'meet' the real Dick Whittington of panto fame, duck down alleys to find Dickens' Mr Scrooge and the Christmas Ghosts he encountered, and hear how Roman Londoners celebrated Christmas. Our festive journey of discovery will end at Diagon Alley, also known as Leadenhall Market, with its magical Christmas tree, yuletide shopping, and the chance to sup a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie.
We'll discover:
- the origin of festive favourites like those mince pies, the turkey and the Christmas Tree
- how 17th century apprentices reacted to the Puritan Ban on Christmas (clue: not by writing a letter to The Times...)
- the man responsible for ushering in our roast turkey tradition
- the truth about Dick Whittington, his cat (and the biggest public toilet ever built...)
*Rendezvous at 1115am for 1130 departure, outside Cannon Street Rail & Tube station*
Walk is 1.3 miles on the flat, approx 75 mins. Suggested age 10+. £6 for kids!