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Table of Contents
- 1 Cambridge University Visit
- 2 St. Paul’s Cathedral
- 3 Charles Dickens: Storyteller of Victorian London
- 3.1 Punch Tavern
- 3.2 Coventry Garden
- 3.3 An intimate portrait of Charles Dickens
- 3.4 A Christmas Carol
- 3.5 To book, Click> Charles Dickens: Storyteller of Victorian London
- 3.6 Ready to book? Here’s the information and links for the 3 tours again: Book now!
- 3.7 To book, click >Cambridge Visit:
- 3.8 To book, Click> St. Paul’s Cathedral
- 3.9 To book, Click> Charles Dickens: Storyteller of Victorian London
3 Great Context Tours to take with in London
con·text
ˈkäntekst/
noun
- the circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and in terms of which it can be fully understood and assessed.
When asked if there is a tour group we highly recommend for a family that have children in that tween stage, the answer is simple – Context Travel. Their strength is using docents that are capable of seamlessly keeping a topic in “context” that is as equally stimulating for the younger audience members, as it is for adults. The experience is never dampened or compromised due to the range of ages involved in the tour. Everyone simply receives equal schooling and entertainment.
Cambridge University
Cambridge University Visit
No visit to London with a tween is complete without a visit to one of the distinguished universities. Cambridge Day Trip from London. For many, the simple mention of it evokes prestige. Many who visit this acclaimed university are brought to appreciate it’s beautiful landscape, highlighted by the River Cam and the punting boats. There is, of course, much mention of its most famous alma mater, Sir Isaac Newton.
Walking through the University was nothing short of a movie set. This dreamscape was facilitated by our excellent docent, Daniela. Her affinity for the university, in which she was currently matriculating, gave us a true insider experience.
King’s College
We explored Cambridge’s history, (including the rivalry with Oxford), architecture (one of which, is one of Christopher Wren’s early works), landscape (best exemplified by the very busy River Cam, best seen from one of the many bridges, including the famous mathematical bridge) and world-class art, not the least of which is Rubens’ famous altarpiece, “The Adoration of the Magi”, which is set in the impressive, fan-vaulted Kings College.
The mathematician, Alan Turing
Back to the movie set, for my daughter and me it was all about the motion pictures. There was mention of mathematician, Alan Turing, whose life and contributions were introduced to many of us in the movie “The Imitation Game
” played by one of Britain’s celluloid gifts, Benedict Cumberbatch. Further down the road, there was mention of the irrepressible, Stephen Hawking, portrayed by another Brit, award winning Eddie Redmayne, appropriately a Cambridge grad himself in, “The Theory of Everything
”.
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- Bailey’s Snaps for the day
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- Another of her Snaps
The Great Court Run
On the train ride, all I can talk about was the “Great Court Run” of Trinity College, immortalized in one of my favorite movies of all time, “Chariots of Fire
”. I had goosebumps when I stepped onto the grounds. In the movie, one of the lead characters, was able to accomplish running the parameters of the courtyard in the time between the preparatory chime and when the clock strikes 12 (approximately 44 seconds) considered near impossible. I was aware that there was more myth than truth in what was depicted in the film, but that didn’t preclude the magic I felt.
When Daniela saw the smile on my face, and since we were on the topic of sports, she couldn’t help but mention their recent successes against Oxford in the boat races. Her pride left a great impression on me and most importantly, my daughter.
To book, click >Cambridge Visit:
Group:
(Original currency: GBP95/PP)
Private: $
(Original currency: GBP340)
St. Paul’s Cathedral
The battle of the classes is a subtext to any story of London. In some way, the public’s choice as to where they worshiped was emblematic as to where they stood in the social structure. St. Paul’s Cathedral was and continues to belong to the true City of London and it’s people as opposed to Westminster Abbey, which historically is where royalty attend. Charles and Diana in an attempt to accomplish their “mission to become the people’s prince and princess” married in St. Paul’s Cathedral.
The People’s Church
Symbolic of so many things, it’s important to understand this magnificent architectural structure of faith and history with someone who has the facility to navigate through so much and still keep a tween intrigued. Eileen, the docent, was more than fit for the part.
With the smooth pace of a great storyteller, the history of London seemed to have opened itself up to us, as Eileen schooled us on the significance of the grounds we were walking upon. Though the cathedral was filled with many tourists, a simple refraction of light at the main altar made one feel at peace, and it was noticeable that the younger participants were taken in by this masterpiece of architecture.
The Great Fire of London
Our docent began with the Cathedral’s, if not the town’s most tragic moment, the Great Fire of London in 1666
. What kid doesn’t like a good story of fire and survival. She was a narrator like no other. Her use of pictures, maps, and everything in which we were surrounded, had the attention of us all.
She discussed Old St. Paul’s, the Gothic structure that occupied this site previous to it being destroyed in the fire and how it served as the center of the Roman Catholic Church in London before the sixteenth-century Reformation, which seems to be an unavoidable topic in England, especially when on holy ground.
The great Christopher Wren
As tragic the event may have been, the fire was the impetus to the reconstruction of a London that was in desperate need of it. With it came an era of thinkers, which included the previously mentioned Cambridge grad, Newton, the arrival of England as a world power, and the architecture of the great Christopher Wren. As my daughter will quickly point out to anyone that asks, there is no greater view in all of London, than that from the spectacular dome (including the London Eye).
Pointed out were the 19th-century Victorian modifications imposed upon the original vision Wren had. No visit to the cathedral would be complete without the mention Admiral Lord Nelson and the Duke of Wellington both buried within.
One of the best views of London
If there was one take away, the view from above the cupola inside and outside the Cathedral captures it best. From a high vantage point, one can’t help but appreciate the people that have and continue to make the story of this great town possible.
To book, Click> St. Paul’s Cathedral
This segues perfectly to the next and last tour:
Charles Dickens: Storyteller of Victorian London
With his trenchcoat, scarf and umbrella, our docent, Simon, was dressed for the part. Looking very much like a character out of “Great Expectations
”. Our expectations, were in fact, great; as Dickens and the England he portrayed in his many great novels is one of the reasons we continue to be intrigued by London.
Punch Tavern
Knowing this, Simon took it upon himself to make sure to continue to keep us aroused. On a blistery wet day, we met in front of the entrance to The Old Bell Tavern, located at 95 Fleet Street, the site of Charles Dicken’s first writing jobs for Punch Magazine. It’s there that our story began.
Coventry Garden
We walked in the footsteps of Dickens himself; Seeing where he labored as a child, picturing the slums of the 19th century to his apartment near Coventry Garden where he lived the latter and most comfortable part of his life.
An intimate portrait of Charles Dickens
The coupling of the great author’s works to the places related to his life and characters gave us an intimate look into the Victorian England he experienced during his life. We looked out from and into windows that Mr. Dickens himself did. So intimate was the portrait painted, that we were made privy of private affairs Dickens experienced in his life, which we had formerly not known. Leave it to say, I am glad that I don’t meet my heroes as they can often disappoint.
A Christmas Carol
At the end, however, nobody used London as a template for inspiration or influence as well as he. To me, London will always be the town depicted in, “A Christmas Carol
”, and he will remain, even with all his flaws as a person, always be the perfect writer and the greatest in his era.
To book, Click> Charles Dickens: Storyteller of Victorian London
Group:
(Original currency: GBP80/PP)
Private: $
The next time you are in London, especially if you are there with your tween; keep them entertained and interested by spending a day with Context Travel Tours.
Ready to book? Here’s the information and links for the 3 tours again: Book now!
To book, click >Cambridge Visit:
Group:
(Original currency: GBP95/PP)
(Original currency: GBP340)
To book, Click> St. Paul’s Cathedral
Private: $
(Original currency: GBP310)
To book, Click> Charles Dickens: Storyteller of Victorian London
Group:
Private: $
(Original currency: GBP300)
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I’ve been in London and I love going over again because it’s so adoring city. Thanks, Brenda looking forward to your next travel.
London is a city that you can’t ever get enough of. I’ve been there twice and could easily go back and do all new things. Context Tours sounds like the perfect way to see new things and learn more about the city. I think of the three you mentioned, the Charles Dickens tour intrigues me the most!
We were in and out of there for almost 6 months and we can’t wait to return!
I’ve heard nothing but good things about Context, I’m looking at using them myself for my upcoming trip to NYC!
They are simply the best, we’re going to do the same in NYC. Can’t wait.
I have spent many happy nights at th Ye old Cheshire cheese. What a great pub. You can’t go more English than that.
That’s a great pub, we miss the fantastic English pubs. They’re just not the same here in NYC.
London is probably one of the best cities in the world when it comes to specialty tour offerings. And I think it’s a great way to tour the city. My pick would be the Charles Dickens tour.
Christina, that was a fantastic one.
We took a Context tour in Stockholm and really enjoyed it! It would be fun to try another one sometime–all three of these look great, especially the Cambridge University Visit. I would love all the movie spots and references!
It was such a great tour for the whole family, Jenna
I usually avoid going on tour and love to stroll through things myself. Although we do miss lots of details when we do things ourselves. Cambridge tour I would consider when I visit!
Andrew and Bailey really enjoyed their time there.
I wouldn’t even say you need to be a teen to enjoy these tours. There is such a great amount of learning to do on all of these. I haven’t yet been to Cambridge so thanks for inspiring!
Oh yes, definitely don’t need to be a kid, Bailey was the only one. Adults loved these tours.
London is a city with so much history, I think that it’s always good to take a tour like that and really learn more about it. It seems like you were able to see some gorgeous places, and have a couple of nice views (the London eye!). I definitely wish I could have learned more about Charles Dickens when I was there. I think that would have been the highlight for me…
I found all 3 tours very interesting even though I am not a teen. I loved exploring Cambridge is a must see day trip when you are in London. I have also been inside St Paul’s but not on the roof! The view is incredible! I have to check it out!
I thought Chuck and Di got married at St. Pauls because her parents had a big Westminster Abbey wedding but then got divorced. Bad juju and all that. Not that the change of venue helped their marriage… These tours look great!
No, nothing helped their marriage! They were all great tours, Shobha.