Festival of Britain Walking Tour
Explore post-war London, the Southbank’s art, music, and architectural innovations, and the iconic Dome of Discovery, Skylon, and Tempest Prognosticator. Visit historic locations, uncover untold stories, and discover the lasting legacy of one of Britain’s most ambitious cultural events.
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Celebrate 75 Years of the Festival of Britain on London’s Southbank
Join our expert guide on a circular walking tour celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Festival of Britain, following the route taken by thousands of visitors flocking to London’s Southbank in the summer of 1951. Step back in time to a post-war London, where a city recovering from the Blitz came together to celebrate British innovation, science, and culture.
Discover why the Festival was hailed as “the tonic for the nation”, transforming a bomb-damaged riverside site into a vibrant showcase of hope, creativity, and progress. Explore how this landmark event helped Britain emerge from the austerity of the post-war years and dared to imagine a future filled with optimism
Experience the art, music, and architectural wonders of the Festival, including tea dances, concerts, and illuminated fountains. Marvel at the Dome of Discovery, the Festival of Britain Calypso, the working factory on the Southbank, the iconic Skylon, early experiments in 3D cinema, and the whimsical Tempest Prognosticator invented by Dr Merryweather.
Uncover the Festival’s controversies as well as its triumphs, and see the lasting legacy still visible on the Southbank today. Spot the wandering Coade Stone lion, admire restored artworks once hidden under a tarpaulin in a South London hotel, and discover markers that tell the story of an event that left an indelible mark on London’s cultural landscape.
By the end of the tour, you’ll gain a vivid understanding of one of the 20th century’s most ambitious cultural events. Leave with a rich appreciation for the ingenuity, spectacle, and stories that shaped the Festival of Britain, and explore the Southbank through the eyes of the millions who experienced it firsthand.
Start: Waterloo Station
Duration: 90 mins
End: York Road
Your Guide: David Turnbull
Festival of Britain Walk Reviews
Qualified London Tour Guides
All Upcoming Guided Walks
Suzie
This walk was so interesting. David is a very knowledgeable guide, and he led us deftly through the crowds to show us all the important sites from that wonderful exhibition of 75 years ago. And, incredibly, 2 of the people on the walk went to the exhibition as children, which added even more to the experience for the rest of us! And even more amazing, David’s main source for planning this walk was an original copy of the programme for the
Exhibition, original price 2/6, that he’d picked up for just £2 from a charity shop – just wow!!
Monica
Very informative. It brought back memories of when I was a child. I can remember the opening of the Festival Hall.
I had no idea that a brewery on the site had to be knocked down to make way for the Festival hall. You learn so much from these walks.
Geoffrina
Really enjoyable walk around Waterloo and South bank. Our guide David had lots of information about the festival of Britain which I had not known and it was good to see the things that remain which you would not know about without the help. Would recommend given this year is the 75 th anniversary.
Carolyn
I found the tour very interesting and enjoyable .David was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable.Would recommend this walking tour
Linda W.
Excellent walk with a really good guide. David was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about his subject.
Peter L.
Although the guide had no no first hand experience of the 1951 event his knowledge and research was unparalleled and it was a pleasure to hear his anecdotes.
Katherin C.
I learned a few new facts about the FoB. David kept the walk and the information coming at just the right pace. Very enjoyable.
Miranda H.
We were excited to do a guided walk on the Festival of Britain, marking 75 years since this historic event. Our guide was engaging and informative, bringing to life what the festival visitor would have seen as they walked around the site. Personally speaking, we would suggest adding more about the Festival’s architectural and design legacy. But it was a very interesting tour; highly recommended.