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A pun-tastic pootle down Holloway Road looking at hints of 1880's history that might well have been inspiration for the amusing bookThe Diary of a Nobody is a much-loved amusing work of fiction by the artistic brothers George and Weedon Grossmith. Still well-loved and in publication today, the diary satirises the Victorian middle classes of that era.
You won't need to have already read the book to enjoy this tour, but I am sure you'll want to afterwards.
The action takes place in the Holloway area and this guided walk brings the book and the characters to life, looking at where they might have lived and shopped (had they been real).
Mr Pooter's daily musings were originally written as a column in Punch magazine during 1888 and due to its success it was extended and published in book form in 1892.
The Victorian-era middle-class Upper Holloway that Charles Pooter and co might have experienced isn't really that far removed from life today – for instance, we also try out the latest new fads and products with often amusing results, we trust the laundry with our clothes, and we complain about disreputable tradesmen.
See where the subtly amusing characters might have lived, where they would have purchased some of the items mentioned in the book, how they travelled, and what they ate and drank (and they seemed to drink quite a lot!). Many buildings and hints of that time are still with us today in the form of houses, shops, signage and street furniture.
You'll hear about Charles' arguments with the ironmonger, the shirt dresser and the stationer, his relationship with his unconventional son, his nights out, and his holidays on the coast.
Be prepared to roll your eyes at Pooter's clunky puns and deluded observations – I've also found a few more places, products and people that, had Mr Pooter been a real person, he would have found highly pun-tastic..!
Please note, this is not the same content as my Holloway Heyday walk which is set in a similar era.
Starts near Upper Holloway station / 5 mins from Archway
For more info, simply click on the 'Find Tickets' button
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Customer feedback: "Really fascinating and funny too... we loved finding out where he might have lived and we learned lots about Holloway too. We'll definitely be seeing you again on another walk" / "We thoroughly enjoyed the walk; thank you for bringing the book alive, and for helping us to see so many new things in a familiar environment." / "I started re-reading the book as soon as I got home after your tour. I had never realised how clever it was before." / "I loved loved loved this walk Jane and I will be joining more of your tours – your knowledge is amazing and I love your jolly style"
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
St John's Church,Holloway Road,London,N19 5RR,GB, United Kingdom
Tickets
GBP 10 to GBP 15