Walk Through Words: A Literary Tour of London’s English Heritage

Booking a literary walking tour in London is pretty simple, and there are plenty of options depending on what kind of experience you want. If you’re a foreign student or just someone who wants to dive into English culture and language, group tours are a great way to go. For example, companies like Literatours run daily walks that cover famous writers like Shakespeare, Dickens, Keats, and Chaucer. These tours usually last about an hour to an hour and a half, cost between £10 and £20, and you can book easily on their website or by just sending them an email or message on social media.

Another popular option is London Walks. They do themed tours like “The London of Oscar Wilde” every Saturday, plus tours about Dickens, Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and more. These usually run around two hours and cost about £20, but there are discounts if you’re a student or senior. It’s best to book ahead online, but sometimes you can just turn up and join in. These group tours are great because you get to hear English spoken naturally and even chat with other people in the group—perfect for practicing your speaking and listening skills.

If you want something a bit more personal or tailored, private tours are available too. Companies like London Guided Walks or Ye Olde England Tours offer private literary tours that you can book online. For example, Ye Olde England Tours does a lovely Bloomsbury walk covering the homes of writers like Virginia Woolf, George Orwell, and Dickens. These private tours are usually around two to three hours and cost roughly £60 to £80 per person, depending on the group size. City Unscripted is another great option—they let you customize your tour and even offer hotel pick-up. This is perfect if you want to focus on certain writers or topics that interest you most.

If you’re more independent and want to explore at your own pace, there are plenty of self-guided options too. Websites like Free Tours by Foot offer free downloadable maps and guides for literary walks around places like Chelsea or Bloomsbury. No booking needed—just grab the guide and head out when you’re ready. This way, you can practice your reading and pronunciation without worrying about keeping up with a group.

When booking, think about what works best for you: do you want to join a group, have a private guide, or just go solo? Most tour companies make booking easy online, and they usually provide clear info about meeting spots and payment. Don’t forget to check if there are student discounts—that can really help! Group tours are great for meeting new people and practicing conversation, while private tours give you a chance to ask lots of questions and dive deeper into the stories behind the writers.

Oh, and here’s a fun little story: on one tour about Oscar Wilde, the guide was talking about how Wilde’s wit was so sharp it could “cut glass.” Right at that moment, one of the students accidentally dropped their water bottle, and it smashed loudly on the pavement! Everyone laughed, and the guide joked, “Well, there you go—that’s Oscar Wilde’s wit in action!” Moments like that make these tours not just informative, but really fun and memorable.

So, whether you join a group, hire a private guide, or go it alone, a literary walk around London is an awesome way to improve your English while soaking up some incredible culture and history.

John Moran