Tim’s history of London, walk 6, Dr Johnson’s London

'If you wish to have a just notion of the magnitude of this city, you must not be satisfied with seeing its great streets and squares but must survey the innumerable little lanes and courts. It is in this that the wonderful immensity of London consists '.

In the mid eighteenth century London was one of the great European cities. Recovered from the Great Fire, London was recognisably a modern city. It was in intellectual ferment with philosophers, economists, artists and politicians discussing how to live in a modern society.
At the heart of this debate was the towering figure of Dr Johnson and the geographical centre of his circle was around Fleet Street.

Our walk will take us through the centre of old London exploring Johnson's little lanes and courts. We will avoid the traffic and discover the hidden heart of London.

We meet at 10.30 in Host Cafe, housed in the beautiful Wren church of St Mary Aldemary and after a coffee, we start walking at 11.
I’ll be at a table with a sign inside the church. The church is in the triangle formed by Bow Lane, Watling Street and Queen Victoria Street. Nearest tubes are Mansion House or St. Paul’s.

We walk through the little lanes and courts around the Cathedral and through the alleyways of Fleet Street and the Temple. We see where Dr Johnson lived, drank and worked. We drop into Christopher Wren's greatest church with 2,000 years of history and visit the Inns of Temple. Finally we will end up in a historic London pub for a late lunch.
As Dr Johnson sort of said ‘If you’re bored of London you’re bored of life’. And we’re never bored of London.

Cost will be £10
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THIS IS AN OVERFLOW WALK AIMED AT THOSE STILL ON THE WAITLISTS