Name: London By Gaslight – from palace to piazza
Start: 2024-11-26T17:00:00+00:00
End: 2024-11-26T19:00:00+00:00
Location: Victoria

$London By Gaslight \u2013 from palace to piazza$

An evocative evening walk from Victoria to Covent Garden via Buckingham Palace and The Mall following a trail of gas-powered street lamps
About this Event

If you look carefully into the lanterns above central London's streets you'll see that some are still powered by gas, offering a soft, warm glow. This guided walk enables you experience the romance of this old form of lighting as you walk along some of the earliest gas-lit streets installed in the late-Georgian era.

Starting a few minutes from Victoria station, we will admire the gas lamps around the royal palaces and walk along paths lined by flickering lanterns. We will visit the site of the spectacular demonstration for King George III's birthday that initiated this innovation and we'll walk down London's first gas-lit street.

In the Covent Garden area, we'll visit some lamps that have recently been awarded Grade II listed status. This recent spate of listings is marvellous news because this historic form of street lighting is under threat as we move away from fossil fuels, with many thousands of lanterns having already been retro-fitted with LED bulbs of varying types, someting you will also be able to see and compare along the way.

Learn also how the lanterns are maintained today – we may no longer need lamplighters every evening but there is still a team of enthusiastic people employed to keep these lovely old lamp lights burning.

Also available: Pimlico to St James's Park (different content to this route) – see more in the section below or for all my currently available London by Gaslight tours click here.

This walk starts at dusk a few minutes from Victoria Station and lasts approx two hours.
The exact meeting point will be explained after ticket purchase – see more in the FAQs below.

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Two gas lamps routes are available and are distinctly different:
– Victoria to Covent Garden – via Buckingham Palace, The Mall and Trafalgar Square
– Pimlico to St James's Park station – via Horseferry Rd, Westminster Abbey and St Anne's Gate
Although a small amount of history is repeated, there are fascinating and different things to see and experience on either route, and both include evocative streets where original lamps, now Grade II listed, are still in use.
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Customer feedback: "My wife and I really enjoyed this tour especially as we had never in all our 60+ years walked down The Mall at dusk before. It was lovely." / "Such a marvellous idea for a route. Well done and thanks Jane" / "When I got home I spent hours googling this. I've now become Gasketeer follower – thanks." / "An inspirational and educational couple of hours – we'll be back for more soon!" / "Really interesting and your knowledge is amazing! Thank you" / "I loved the mix of history and details" / "That was excellent!" / More feedback here

My guiding style is inclusive, open and friendly. I design and research every tour myself – in fact, the research never ends. The walks and talks I offer are all on subjects that intrigue me and each one highlights a different facet of my personality. I am particularly interested in the architecture of our ever-changing streets and the little details on and above them. For more information, please visit www.janeslondonwalks.com

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FAQs

Where does this walk start / what if I am running late?

Important – please do not rely on info/maps supplied within QR codes and apps as these often give incorrect information.

The specific meeting point will be clearly described in words within the Order Confirmation email sent to you immediately after your purchase
Scroll down to the bottom of that email to the Additional Information section where you will find a description of the meeting point as well as details of how to play catch-up should you be running late on the day.
As a back-up, the same information will be sent to you within a reminder email 24hrs before the event.

What is the minimum age to attend this event?

There is no minimum age
No charge for children aged 5 or younger. Children 6-15yrs = concession rate
All children 15 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult – one child per paying adult.

Can I just show up and pay on arrival?

No – this is a ticketed event with a maximum group size – places must be booked in advance.

Do I have to bring a copy of my ticket to the event?

No – you will simply be asked your name

Can I get a refund / is my ticket transferrable?

As you can appreciate, refunds and reallocations do not apply to people who simply do not show up on the day!
You can organise your own refund through Eventbrite's ticketing system up to 48 hours before the walk starts. However, please note that the booking fee (absorbed within the ticket price) is not refundable.
Alternatively, I can hold your purchase for transfer to another Jane's London Walk within the next three months – please notify me in writing via email/text at least 48 hours before this walk is due to start.

What if it's raining?

Walking tours will go ahead, rain or shine.
However, if severely adverse conditions are forecast, or other unforeseen complications cause the event to be cancelled, you will receive notification and a full refund.

Are there steps or stairs involved / is this tour suitable for wheelchairs?

This is not a route suitable for wheelchairs – many paths in the parks and along The Mall are uneven, especially in the semi-darkness. There are also some stone steps used to access Carlton Terrace as well as narrow streets in the Covent Garden area. An alternative route can be arranged as a private tour or for group – please do get in touch.

How can I contact the organiser?