I'll be in London for a week and planning<BR>to take a few walks with "The Original London<BR>Walks" tour firm.<BR> I usually use tour books, but a good guide can make a big difference. <BR> Has anybody use them, and if yes what<BR>walks did you like.<BR><BR>Paul.

The most critical thing is be sure to obtain your "HRM Walking Permit" before taking out on any walks. These permits may be obtained at the Ministry Of Silly Walks in Whitehall.

I like that walk where you shake your left leg as you bring it forward. <BR><BR>Seriously, though, there are tons of posts on this. Pls search for London Walks.

I did the Soho pub walk and another one. Can't remember the name, but it was in the middle of the day and included South Bank. I enjoyed them both. London Walks is great because you can just show up so you can easily work around other things you want to do.

We did the Greenwich tour (includes a ride on the Thames) and a pub crawl (the gaslamp one) in June and enjoyed them both. Excellent guides, very interesting material, great value for money. The last minute arrival thing is particularly convenient, as you don't have to plan ahead.<BR><BR>This company also gives walking tours in Berlin that are very good.

Several years ago i did many walking tours. they were inexpensive and entertaining. I went on the Jack the ripper tour which was not as gruesome as it sounds!

I've been on a few of their walks and they were good. The guides were always very knowledgeable and personable. The Jack the Ripper tour is excellent, especially when done at night. The Greenwich tour was also very good and allowed you to come back to London at your own pace.

I really enjoyed both London Walks that we did in June. The Jack the Ripper one was packed, but the guide (Donald) did a wonderful job of communicating to the group. I also did a walk of the Little Venice area which was fun. I also enjoy using tour books and self-pacing, but London is so large that the guides really help you find areas you might not have seen otherwise. When I go back (hopefully soon), I definitely would do another walk with them.

Just did a search for London Walks indexing the UK. Lots of entries. I've been on 4 walks, but liked the pub walks more than regular walks.

Hi Paul,<BR><BR>Last year we did 4 London walks; Christopher Wren, Old Westminster, Evening pub walk, and British Museum. My favorites were the Evening pub walk and the Christopher Wren. Thought all 4 walks were very worthwhile and would do some different walks when I return to London.<BR><BR>Adrienne

Hi Paul,<BR>I love The Original London Walks. It is actually owned by an American named David who escorts some of the walks himself.<BR>I have done the Old Westminster, The Kensington Walk (my favorite) The Little Venice Walk, St Pauls and the City, The Ghosts of the West End and of course, the Jack the Ripper Walk. I have been doing the last for about 12 years. It has gained in popularity each year to the point that you can sometimes get 200 people but they send extra help for Donald and it works (Donald Rumpelow does the best walk-try to stick with him)<BR>Have a great time.<BR>Cheers,<BR>Pat

I go to London frequently, and have taken quite a few of the London Walks. and have enjoyed them all. The nighttime and Pub Walks are a good thing to do when travelling solo. The guides are terrific. I also use "walks" from books, but it's nice to have a guide sometimes.

I'm a Londoner and I like them! They can show you bits that you wouldn't otherwise see.<BR><BR>There all pretty good except (*ducks*) the ripper one which is a let down.<BR><BR>It seems to be a "must" for tourists much like the Tower. Hundreds turn up every night and its very impersonal. THe guides are good, but don't tell you anything you couldn't learn from a guidebook.<BR><BR>There is also almost nothing left of the area to see thanks to the Luftwaffe and our Town Planners (Hard to say which are more destructive).<BR><BR>I would however recommend the others heartily.<BR><BR>I should declare an interest too. I have a small sideline doing corporate "ripper evenings" but I don't advertise to the public and don't compete with the various "Ripper walks"

Went on one (a pub walk), had fun, so went on another and met my husband. These walks are often led by actors, not scholars and I go for the entertainment value (but you always learn something, too). Was recently on a walk in Dublin led by history grads - packed with facts - a 2 hour history lecture on foot - enjoyable, interesting, but exhausting!

David - I'm intrigued ... Do you do walks, or are you in fact a deviant stalker of the ladies of the night???

oops - hit 'post' too soon there. Seriously, I'm entertaining some foreign clients in London later this year, and they are looking for something a little out of the ordinary - I may well be interested!

ttt