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2 Hours History Walking Tour of The Secret Streets in Chelsea

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$354.32

REG. $414.35

Overview

Come discover the unique artistic borough of Chelsea. Depending on availability, I can take you inside a private artist studio to see the work and meet artists who shape the area. Discover the real Chelsea rich in history and scandal encompassing princesses to punks, ties with America through plants, cotton and heiress wives to aristocrats. Walk down hidden streets and explore a property development that Prince Charles influenced and started a public debate on the role and limits of the royals. Uncover why Chelsea residents look young and healthy, learn their habits and foods they eat that are banned in America despite being healthy. Learn which parts of Chelsea are great to buy, and which developments have seedy reputations. Explore streets inhabited by musicians, artists and writers, uncover the Irish connections to Chelsea. With Sarah's background as a historian, this walk encompasses many different lenses so you are left entertained and informed on multiple levels.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Pavilion Road, England, SW1X 0BP, United Kingdom

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Please wait outside Ottolenghi cafe on Pavilion Road. Nearest tube station is Sloane Square. If it is raining please feel free to wait inside. There is also a restroom if you need to use the loo before the walking tour. Many people also grab a coffee or water from here before our walk.

Language Offered

English-GUIDE

French-GUIDE

Itinerary

1. Chelsea Physic Garden

The tour includes tickets to the Chelsea Physic Gardens and learning about the links between the CPG and America; how the founder Sir Hans Sloane brought hot chocolate to the UK; and discovering medicinal plants that changed history. We will also learn about the history of tea via theft and Empire; Sir Joseph Banks and Captain Cooks voyages and how they link to the CPG and Agatha Christie's training in poisons.

Duration: 30 mins

2. Duke of York Square

Discover some juicy gossip involving a Royal who claimed that the Germans bombing London in the Second World War was less destructive than modern architecture! Viewing the former military barracks, and discovering the history and how the space has been repurposed into commercial art gallery and cafes, as well as residential property. Guess which scandalous makes the 'best tenant' according to the former Earl of Cadogan (largest Landlord of Chelsea). Learn more about architecture and the fascinating people in history who shape the area today from fashion designers, social media make-up guru's and artists who uses lookalikes for their very humorous and satirical photographs.

Duration: 10 mins

3. Knightsbridge

Whilst walking on the boundaries of Chelsea and Knightsbridge look up to see the Queen Anne style houses and apartments; discover the dangers of Knightsbridge of times past with highway robbery and the current dangers that residents face so much so you might spot a private policeman patrolling the streets. Spot the Italianate tiles of a former hospital, and learn more about why there are so many garden Squares in the area and what 'miasma' is and how the slums and smelly air of East London shaped the building development of Chelsea.

Duration: 10 mins

4. King's Road

Discover the royal secrets of King Charles II who used the Kings Road as a private road to get to Hampton Court, or to sneak off to visit his mistress Nell Gwynn and how their relationship is immortalised in a well-known fountain on the street. Learn about the royals who visited and lived in the area including Princess Kate Middleton. Discover the links between Chelsea and vampires, from actors who played the role who lived nearby, to King Charles III relationship to Transylvania and visit nearby the home of the author Bram Stoker. Learn more about the migrants from Ireland and France who shape the area. Discover the Dutch style architecture that is reminiscent of Cape Dutch architecture in Stellenbosch.

Duration: 20 mins

5. Pavilion Road

Taste and sample some British cheeses that inspired Stilton and some excellent French cheeses in honour of the many French migrants who have shaped London from Hugenots to more recent immigrants who live in Chelsea and South Kensington. Discover the history of Jewish migrants and how they were imperative in helping Royals to finance their palaces from William the Conqueror and how fried fish in matzo flour became a popular British staple of fish and chips. Learn more about the history of Australia and how prisoners were held in hulks, decommissioned ships and the cruel punishments inflicted to those who committed petty crimes. Discover the interesting links between Islamic law and British law whilst walking through the street.

Duration: 10 mins

6. Cheyne Walk

Discover gruesome and grizzly stories from Tudor torture to Russian mafia murder mysteries in the backstreets of Chelsea, nicknamed 'the burglars routes'. Discover why Chelsea is both one of the richest and poorest borough in England and visit a tree that was planted by Elizabeth I when she was a child.

Duration: 15 mins