I’ve done a fair few tours of London – both with and without kids – so I’m always interested in a new angle. And this “theatrical” tour – with the amazing Professor Quantum chatting non-stop, video conversations with characters from the past and modern and old-fashioned video clips of key buildings and events in our history was first class.
We embarked on a black double-decker Ghost Bus (?) at the top of Northumberland Avenue – a stone’s throw from Trafalgar Square. The interior of the bus is a bit like the Orient Express. Deep red leather seats – some facing each other so ideal for a family - and red velvet curtains. Little side tables on which were perched glass and brass lights. And ultra-modern video screens at the front and the rear. And, from the upper deck, an excellent view of everything around us.
And what a day we picked – traffic challenges from the Queen’s Trooping of the Colour, an extraordinary number of construction works and even the London Naked Cycle Ride (I am sure the good Professor would have averted the eyes of any kids on board).
We started off around Trafalgar Square and made our way down The Strand. Learning about the origins of the name and with a few stinky sewer stories along the way. The witty background music was interrupted now and again for video calls to people from the past (so we met some really famous characters and had some eye-witness reports about The Great Fire of London) and occasional videos to show us what key buildings looked like in the past.
We learned about Roman London (and the Celts who were at Tower Hill beforehand) as well as Kings and Queens. We were told about some of the most famous statues. I picked up some new facts about Newgate Prison (“one for the road”) and why railings and taxis are now black (they used to be green!).
And even when we were stuck in some pretty miserable traffic, the Professor chatted and entertained us. We went around St Paul’s and through the City. Crossed three bridges – including Tower Bridge and Waterloo. We passed Shakespeare’s Globe and the Millennium Wheel. And we sniggered about Waterloo but not about Florence Nightingale.
Apart from my teen, there weren’t any other kids on our tour which was a great shame because it was a fun and novel way to learn quite a bit about London. Especially as we snailed through the traffic. But nothing burst the bubble of Professor Quantum whose humour had the adults in stitches and I am sure would have been a hit with the kids.
The tour started at 245pm and lasted for an hour and 15 minutes. A perfect time for a whirlwind tour of the main sights in the City, Westminster and Southwark. Just the job for a rainy day in London. History. Education. And lots of laughs.
Further details at: http://www.timetour.co.uk/
