WHAT THE WALK IS ABOUT: This 90 minute leisurely tour does not go to the Globe Theatre (because everyone already knows it), instead it uncovers lesser-known monuments and locations in the City of London on the North bank of the Thames, with connections to Shakespeare's life, his friends, his loves and his work.
The film 'Anonymous' proposes that William Shakespeare did not write his plays. I believe that William Shakespeare DID write his plays and therefore this may not be the tour for you if you refuse to believe that. Instead you can go on somebody else's tour. I do not propose to spend the tour arguing this point, I will just get on with showing you aspects of Shakespeare's London.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Visit the only two exact locations in London of Shakespeare houses
See the practically unknown hidden monument created from one of Shakespeare's best-known speeches
Go to the site of the Blackfriars Theatre, the lost sister theatre to the Globe
See the spot where we believe Othello, King Lear and Macbeth were written
Discover what Shakespeare was like as a man, including his complicated personal life
Visit Church locations Shakespeare knew
Hear some sublime Shakespeare speeches. I am a former professional actor and I
illustrate what I talk about with Shakespeare's own immortal words. This is a feature of
this walk that people especially love.
VISITOR BOOK QUOTES:
From my visitors' book here are just a few of the rave reviews I have received over the years for my 'The Shakespeare City Walk':
"I liked this tour much better than other Shakespeare Tours" - Gunmilla Thorsson, Sweden.
"Highlight of trip" - Christine O'Grady, Australia
"Loved the speeches from Shakespeare himself" - Nicoletia, Italy.
"Magnificent eye-opening tour" - Kevin Connell
"Declan is the best guide in London" - Manfred and Heidi Gloag, Germany
"An absolute highlight of my travels to date...incredible insight into the world of Shakespeare" - Kylie Sandover, Australia
"Best thing I've done in 5 years of London living!" - Gemma Clarke
"Excellent - the highlight of my trip" - Geraldine Murphy, USA.
"Thank you for this superb, history-filled and inspiring experience" - Elizabeth Vandepaer, USA. "The most enthusiastic, friendly and interesting tour together with first class acting on the side" - Magnus, Sweden.
"Excellent - his passion for London and for the history of the stage shines through in his every word. A must-see in London. No Shakespeare enthusiast should be without" - Lauren, Canada.
"Declan is a true expert on Shakespeare" - M. Robert
"Informative, entertaining - all that we wanted. Patient with questions, clearly enjoying very much what he's doing. Wonderful!" - O. Royal
"Exquisite knowledge base. Phenomenal job!" - S. Cote
"Best thing in London - probably for the whole trip. Fantastic!" - A. Jones
"Brilliantly researched and very informative. Your work, expertise, and love of Shakespeare really shone through. Thank you!!" - C. Martin
"A complete delight, Thank you, Declan" - J. Hurley
OTHER ACCOLADES: 'The Shakespeare City Walk' is one of only five walks recommended by The Independent newspaper as 'The Grand Tours' of London. Here's what they say:
MEETING TIME AND PLACE: 11am on Friday mornings only at Blackfriars underground station.
Some sites say Temple underground station but that is out-of-date information still hanging around on the Net and those sites are incorrect. I do the tour so I should know!
*** Blackfriars underground station (Circle and District lines) has been totally redone and the meeting place for this Tour is now right outside that underground station's only exit, a few feet away on the pavement. Look for the sign with Shakespeare's head on my rucksack when you emerge from the station onto the pavement. The sign is at knee-level not eye-level.
*** W A R N I N G *** Before you set off to come to your walk, I very strongly suggest that you add an extra 15-20 minutes to your travel time to compensate for possibly getting stuck in one (or more) of London's extremely frequent tube train delays. Unfortunately, people who turn up late will miss this walk since I simply have to start the walk with the people who turn up on time. Just to be clear about this, if you miss the start of the walk for any reason, you miss the entire walk since I turn up off my mobile when I begin and you won't be able to find me in the side-streets. If it is your fault that you turned up late - because you did not start off early enough and did not allow the recommended extra time for possible tube train delays etc - you will not be refunded if you paid in advance. The sad reality is that hundreds a year miss my walks...*** W A R N I N G ***
HOLIDAYS: You must always ring the number given in the Contact section on the morning of the walk you plan to come on, in case I am on holiday. It's essential to ring in any case because unforeseen circumstances can happen once or twice a year which mean that a particular walk cannot take place.
If you book through 365tickets.com and then a walk is cancelled by me (this has maybe happened twice in 13 years so it is a very rare event but theoretically possible), you will be refunded by that company or you can transfer to another date. The other company, LondonTown.com, don't actually charge you since you pay me when you turn up so no refund is necessary from them.
PRICE AND DISCOUNTS:
The price for adults who just show up without any other deal is £10, or £8 for for children (aged 12-14).
If you have the London Pass the price is £7 for adults (15+) and £5 for children aged 12-14. You must actually show me the Pass.
Alternatively you can advance book online at either of the following two SECURE internet sites for a £0.50p discount on the normal undiscounted price :
If neither of the two public times given fit your needs, you can always email me or give me a call at the number in the Contact section and then we can discuss a private tour. I'm sometimes willing to do private tours on my days off. The price is just £12 per person with a minimum of 15 people per walk OR the equivalent value if there are less than 15 people ie 15 x £12= £180. If it's a corporate walk there is an extra £35 charge ie £215 minimum; also a £30 charge if I have to cancel a public walk to do your private one, but I can only cancel public walks if no-one has yet booked for them.
ALWAYS CHECK THE MESSAGE:NB Updated details of times, engineering works and other underground line problems, are always given on the message at the telephone number in the Contact section.
MY OTHER WALK
In case you are interested I also perform a very well-known London horror walk called 'The Blood and Tears Walk'. That one is edgy and disturbing but also good fun and will only cost you £5 if you come on this one first, otherwise it will cost £10 (undiscounted price).
FINALLY:I really look forward to meeting you soon and providing fresh insights for you into the wonderful world of the genius William Shakespeare.
