#London Walk of the Week: Disastrous London

Every Sunday we’ll pluck just one walk from the vast London Walks repertoire and put it centre stage.

You can check out the full schedule at www.walks.com.

But if you only take one walking tour this week, why not make it…

Disastrous London - Plague, Fire, Rebellion, Executions. Plus Pubs.

Barbican Tube

Saturday 18th February 2.30pm

Guided by Andrew

Plague, Fire & Revolution. The Black Death. Churchyards brimming with bodies. The harvest of Death. The zombie apocalypse – but for real. What changes? Everything. We start at an ancient Carmelite monastery built next to a plague pit so the monks could pray for the tormented souls of the dead. We visit an execution spot. But not just any execution spot – THE execution spot – Protestants (yep, the big reboot) and Mel Gibson (ahem). We visit the site of revolt – in effect tour a battlefield – a poll tax – not Maggie – this is 1381, a Lord Mayor, a king, a revolutionary. Spoiler alert. It ends badly. Fast forward to 1666 and the Great Fire (we'll see several pre-fire structures), the Duke of York and 100 men, poised, a last stand - Cock Lane (yep, it's exactly what it says on the tin) and then a peek at London's great phoenix, St. Paul's, raised from the ashes in all its glory. You're going to need to quench your thirst so how about a pint at Shakespeare's gaff? Yes, he finally bought a place, in Ireland Yard, the Blackfriars gatehouse. Shakespeare's cellar is still there. It's our pub cellar, our pints will come up from Shakespeare's cellar.

So it's pubs, stunning vistas, historical alleyways, centuries old architecture and, yes, ahem, filthy street names. What more from a walk? Violence, mayhem, fire, sedition, sex and booze. The London Walk that just keeps on giving. Guided by Andy.

About Your Guide…

Andrew is "the Queen Mum's favourite". Or, in the words of the Evening Standard, "a class act". A strikingly talented young actor – and budding historian – he received rave reviews for his one-man show, "George VI in Heaven". Andrew is good company: laid back, friendly, fun, at ease with himself and his walkers and his handsome, historic old patch. Add to the mix the fact that he's completely in command of his material and you've got a great walk fronted by a very gifted young guide.

Disastrous London - Plague, Fire, Rebellion, Executions. Plus Pubs.

Barbican Tube

Saturday 18th February 2.30pm

A London Walk costs £10 – £8 concession. To join a London Walk, simply meet your guide at the designated tube station at the appointed time. Details of all London Walks can be found at www.walks.com.