I lead tours in London, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire looking at aspects of architecture and history that are beyond the obvious. This means that you might join me in looking for traces of the lost palaces which lined the Strand in London in the 17th Century. Alternatively you could join me in looking at architecture and history in a market town or visiting a less well known country house to discover its hidden treasures.
If my schedule doesn’t suit yours I will take bookings for private tours for individuals or groups of up to 20 people at £200 per tour. Please have a look at my list of tours and contact me to arrange a time and date; my diary is often quite full but if I can fit you in at short notice I will alternatively I’m used to taking bookings weeks or months into the future.
My tours usually last two hours and are suitable for those aged 10 and over with an interest in buildings and the past. Individuals can book onto scheduled tours, but remember places are limited to a maximum of 20 people.
My current programme of tours and visits is below with prices. Please email me at zilphahistory@gmail.com to book places or if you have any queries.
11.00-1.00 p.m. Thursday, 20th November; Architecture and History in Winslow, Buckinghamshire.
This small market town towards the north of Buckinghamshire was laid out as new town by the Abbot of St. Albans in the 13th Century and traces of this can still be seen. Winslow has many interesting buildings to consider. This walk will include the exteriors of houses (including Winslow Hall designed by Christopher Wren) and churches of various denominations. £10 per person.
1.00-3.00 p.m. Monday, 8th December; Pinner; A Walk in Metroland.
At the start of the 20th Century Pinner was still a Middlesex village although the Metropolitan Railway did pass through the parish. In the years after the First World War this radically changed as Pinner was developed as a London suburb. We will see parts of the surviving historic village and a mix of public buildings and housing which show the wide range of architectural styles in use in the 1920’s and 1930’s. £10 per person.
1.00-3.00 p.m. Thursday 22nd January: Building Georgian Marylebone.
At the start of the 18th Century the area to the north of Oxford Street was open fields; by the end of the century it was largely developed. We will look at the architectural styles used and how the work of architects, like Robert Adam, interacted with the landowners, builders and clients to create the elegant squares and streets. (previously held July 2021) £12.50 per person.
11.00-1.00 p.m. Thursday 12th February: Architecture and History Around Buckingham Market Place.
The large Market Place in Buckingham provides many interesting buildings to consider. Some of these were civic buildings like the Town Hall and Gaol others were houses and business premises. Although a fire which broke out in 1725 and destroyed about a third of the town started in the Market Place there are still many earlier houses surviving among the Georgian rebuilding. £10 per person.
1.30-3.30 p.m. Thursday 5th March: A Walk in Westminster.
Starting from St. James Park Underground station we will explore this corner of London bordered by the park and Westminster Abbey. We will see the exteriors of public buildings like the Guards Chapel (rebuilt after the Second World War) and Methodist Central Hall as well as elegant town houses. The walk will end outside the Jewel House, one of the few remaining parts of the medieval Palace of Westminster. £12.50 per person.
Bookings.
To book a place on the above lectures, walks or visits please contact me at Zilphahistory@gmail.com with details of which events you would like to book and for how many people, I will then confirm that places remain and invoice you. Payment will confirm the booking.
Cancelations.
In the unlikely case of my having to cancel an event everyone who has paid will be refunded in full or the credit carried over. In cases where a participant would like to cancel a place a full refund will be given if I am able to resell the place(s).