Walk Through History

We may think we know Victorian London – the Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, and Royal Albert Hall may all spring to mind – but what about the exact footprint of the Crystal Palace, the first sheltered housing for the poor, the first schools, the glorious church regarded as the first and foremost example of High Victorian Gothic architecture in Britain or the Byzantine pumping station known as the Cathedral of Sewage? Hidden Victorian London takes us on a journey, seeking out the hidden gems of the Victorian city and revealing the compelling stories behind them.

The incidents and events of the Victorian era shaped a city that expanded and changed more rapidly than it had ever done before, or since. Victorian Londoners grappled with challenges from industrialisation, overcrowding and disease, to the coming of the railway, dramatic social change and religious uncertainty. Hidden Victorian London investigates these people and their achievements, affording us the opportunity to appreciate and reflect on the difficulties they overcame, and how they may inspire us to overcome the pressures we face today.

Included are chapters on Kensington (birthplace of Queen Victoria), the Victorian West End, Victorian Westminster and many more, illustrated with beautiful line drawings and maps to guide you. All of the walks can be done in a morning or afternoon, and make a final stop to a recommended Victorian pub.