London Guided Walks » Oliver Twist Walk

Oliver Twist Walk

Experience Victorian literature come to life. Would you be able to survive in Victorian London?

Authentic different walk
Discover 1837 London
Qualified London tour guide

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Step into the world of Oliver Twist and journey back to 1837, when London’s streets bustled with life, intrigue, and danger. Picture yourself among city dwellers striding purposefully past street sweepers eager for a few coins, while horse-drawn carriages and omnibuses rumble by. Imagine how you might have survived in a city where fortunes could change in an instant and the shadows held as many threats as opportunities.

As dusk falls, the city transforms: the roads out of Victorian London become the hunting grounds of highwaymen, lurking in the darkness, ready to relieve travellers of their valuables-or worse. Night-time London was a perilous place, where the threat of violence was never far away and even the innocent had to keep their wits about them.

On this immersive walking tour, you’ll follow in the footsteps of Oliver Twist and the Artful Dodger as they wind through the heart of London towards Fagin’s notorious den, retracing scenes from Charles Dickens’s classic novel. Along the way, you’ll discover the real locations that inspired Dickens, and hear stories of hardship, cunning, and survival that shaped the lives of London’s poorest residents.

You’ll learn why stealth was essential for Oliver and his companions, especially when slipping through the city’s labyrinthine streets to avoid the ever-watchful eyes of the police. Just as in Dickens’s time, blending in and staying alert could mean the difference between freedom and capture.

Walking Tour Details:

- Start: Angel Tube Station
- End: Farringdon Station
- Duration: Approximately 90 minutes
- Accessibility: Step-free access
- Suitable for: All age groups (children must be accompanied by an adult)

Experience Victorian London as Dickens described it-gritty, vibrant, and alive with stories. Will you be able to navigate its dangers and delights, just as Oliver did?

Your Guide: Hazel Baker

Oliver Twist Walking Tour Reviews

Kay

We really enjoyed this walk. Hazel is a very engaging and informative guide and as a Dickens fan it was a real treat, although you don’t have to be familiar with the book to appreciate the walk. Following the route Oliver took with the Artful Dodger to Fagin’s den, we learnt a lot about the history of the area and how hard life was for so many in that era. Lots of places to sit down throughout and it was a nice sunny day as well. Highly recommended. Will definitely be booking another walk soon.

Elaine

It was beyond brilliant. We promptly set off from Angel Islington at 1pm and revisited the tales from Charles Dickens. Although Oliver Twist was not a real person his life was definitely based on circumstances and people of the time. I have often been fascinated with the severe hardship of young orphan children and the workhouses, truly hard times for young people. A very engaging guide who was enthusiast as she retold ancient history, in plain sight, told with a twist.

Shenis

Informative and very interesting guided walk not only about the history of Oliver Twist but also the history of London. Highly recommended.

Mark

Loved it, not a part of London I would have expected to find so much history but the guide was very knowledgeable and the walk was well structured (including lots of places to sit) giving a story with memorable highlights. I am now downloading the book to be able to visualise that proper settings and characters. We will definitely book another tour here!

Stephen

This was a fantastic tour of Dickensian London. Our guide – Hazel is a fount of knowledge on London past and present. I discovered lots of things around the corner from where I live that were completely new to me including a shop which I plan to go back to.

Julie

I recently joined around 15 other people on the Oliver Twist walk, with Hazel as our guide. The walk covered some places that featured in the book. The walk started at Angel station, we walked through Clerkenwell and learned lots of facts about the area. Hazel is a great guide, were encouraged to ask questions and the experience was entertaining as well as educational. I will definitely look for other walks from this company.

Nazima

Oliver Twist – Guided Walk by Hasel was an absolute treat! Had a great leisurely walk through Angel towards Farringdon learning so much about Dickensian London: attitudes, smells, society and outcasts; discovered so many hidden gems on the way and it definitely made me to read the book again. And this time I appreciated it much more as had more knowledge about the times and realities of leaving as outcasts. Thank you Hazel for an unforgettable experience!

Paul

The Oliver Twist walk was excellent. It was well-organised, nicely paced and very well-led. Hazel, the guide was really knowledgeable, and personable. Throughout the walk, Hazel provided insights to the history of the area, and used sections of the Oliver Twist story to create a thread through the afternoon. The talk was pitched at an accessible level for everyone (whether you have read the book or not) and questions were welcomed. With the nice weather it made for a great afternoon out, I would highly recommend it. Thank you.

Sylvester

Another fabulous Walk and Talk from Hazel, exploring the route taken by Oliver and the Artful Dodger when they first meet. Dodger guides Oliver to one of Fagan’s hideouts at night so as not to be easily spotted. This was based mostly on chapter 8 of Dickens’ book. Hazel also read some extracts from the book to give more of an ideal of how things would have been in that time.

Helen

This is a great walk Hazel is very entertaining and her knowledge of Dickens is second to none! This is a tour for young and old, newbies and seasoned historians, Hazel caters for everyone mixing historical facts with great anecdotes. I particularly enjoyed seeing how much of Dickens’s London is hiding in plain sight… highly recommended!

Sarah and Tony

A very interesting ‘step back in time’ to re-trace the Islington journies of Oliver Twist, The Artful Dodger, Bill Sykes and other memorable characters from Dicken’s famous novel. I suspect many of us (ourselves included) dashes in and out of Angel station on our way to Sadlers Wells, restaurants and shops with no idea of the fascinating history of the area and how the contrast between the lives of the wealthy and the local poverty of Victorian times inspired and motivated one of England’s greatest writers. Highly recommended and conveniently ends very close to a pub and rail/tube station.

Helena

This is a great walk Hazel is very entertaining, and her knowledge of Dickens is second to none! This is a tour for young and old, newbies and seasoned historians. Hazel caters for everyone mixing historical facts with great anecdotes. I particularly enjoyed seeing how much of Dickens London is hiding in plain sight… highly recommended!

Nick

“Very interesting and informative. Hazel was exceptionally knowledgeable and made the tour all the more enjoyable.”

Gary

“Please Sir (or in this case Mrs), may I have more?? Well, in this case, it was my third guided walk with Hazel, and yes, I did and how!! She may pick a pocket or two, but to be honest, for the pleasure of the walk, she can do it anytime. At least I know where Fagin’s lair is, so, I can get my bits back anytime. What more can I say, though ” I am reviewing the situation” I will be going back for more.”

Louisa

“Hazel’s enthusiasm and knowledge makes her tours a real treat. I very much enjoyed how Hazel made the links between the facts and the fiction relating to this Oliver Twist walk (and all the other snippets along the way!) Highly recommend London Guided Walks.”

Peter

“Hazel is remarkable: she combines a fantastic in-depth and detailed knowledge with an ability to bring the Victorian Era to life.”

Shirley

“I have been on several walks with Hazel and always greatly enjoy these fun and informative events . This was the first time I had visited the Angel area and will most certainly return to further explore . The Oliver Twist walk followed the journey of Oliver and the Artful Dodger from meeting and finished by the One Tun pub in Farringdon . The walk was my husband’s first and he really enjoyed the history-he was rather shocked by workhouse horrors ! We will be looking forward to more wonderful walks.”

Tracy

“This was a great way to learn about this part of London. We found Hazel a very interesting and fun guide with genuine passion for entertaining us all. This is the first London walk I have done and am now looking forward to doing more. ”

Helen

“The Oliver Twist tour was very interesting and informative and delivered in an entertaining way through the streets of Islington and Farringdon following the journey of Oliver Twist into the slums of Victorian London. It was fascinating to hear Dickens’ words whilst standing in the same places that inspired him to write the story. I would certainly recommend this and other tours with the same organisation.”

Simonetta

“Hazel never disappoints! Her knowledge and capacity to entertain her “audience” is second to none. Yet another interesting and compelling walk with plenty of anecdotes about London, Dickens and Oliver Twist. Looking forward to my next one!”

Gillian

“Such an interesting walk. Hazel is an excellent tour guide: clear, interesting, very knowledgeable and very good at engaging her audience. This walk took us on Oliver Twist’s journey into London with the Artful Dodger. It was full of information about the history of the area from Angel to Farringdon – its past as a last stop before Smithfield for cattle drovers, its variety of housing, Dickens’s relationship with Grimaldi, the Fleet River, and the slums at the end of their route, and so on. Pubs, shops, streets and squares all swam into focus like a TV documentary. Channel 4 or the BBC should snap her up!”

Jan

“A delightful and informative walk with Ace Guide Hazel. So many insights into Victorian society and attitudes towards the poor, good and evil in people, how it compares to our behaviour today. I can dine out on these stories and anecdotes for months! The tour ended at The One Tun pub, described by Dickens as the haunt of Bill Sykes, now the purveyor of good beer and delicious food. Yes reader, I tried it out!”

Rosie

“Hazel was an excellent guide. Very informative and walked at a good pace. Great to see new areas of London and learn new things. Would go on another walk with them again.”

Sigi

“I really enjoyed this guided walk. The 90 minutes flew by as Hazel successfully combined literature, social history and actual locations. She is an engaging person and a knowledgeable guide who was thoroughly prepared. I actually started reading Oliver Twist again when I returned home, which is a massive compliment to our guide Hazel. Thank you”

Ian

“Another excellent walk with Hazel. I always come away having learnt so much and having been fully entertained and absorbed for 90 minutes. Combine this with her Georgian London walk and you really learn a lot about the history of an area which in my case I have hardly visited before so I am very grateful for the experience. The duration is just about right and no time is wasted. Everyone should try at least one of Hazel’s walks as you will not be disappointed.”

Emma

“You do not have to be a fan of Oliver Twist to go on this. It covers Dickens and lots Victorian generic history. As a local, I was particularly interested in the walking route from Angel to Farringdon.”

Wendy

“Excellent interesting walk only spoiled by pouring rain, but she still managed to get us some dry spots to stand under. I would recommend this to others.”

Anne

“A very interesting walk, following the path Oliver Twist would have taken into London…..great descriptions of the times, Hazel made the streets come alive. She is knowledgable and personable. . Would recommend her walks.”

Sharon

“Very interesting walk that included the socio economic status of the area. Some illuminating facts about Dickens and his upbringing.”

Julie

“This was a very enjoyable walk and was full of historic titbits as we travelled at a leisurely pace around Dickens’ haunts. It was fascinating to be taken to parts of London that hold so much history and to learn about what stood there before being supplanted by luxury buildings. Hazel was a top guide and this was my third walk.”

Yael

“FantasticWalk lot of knowledge a lot of stories.”

David

“This was a thoroughly entertaining tour. Hazel is a fabulous tour guide who is passionate and knowledgeable about her subject. She has inspired me to want to read the book as I’ve only seen film and TV versions. Also, Hazel painted vivid pictures of life in those times, which for many people was truly terrible. As she said at one point, these things should not be forgotten.”

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