Literary London: Explore Iconic Authors on Walking Tours 2026
The “Literary Footprints” festival, organized by Footprints of London, is set to return in March 2026, offering a unique opportunity to explore London's rich literary heritage. This month-long event features a collective of expert tour guides leading participants through the city's thoroughfares, buildings, and hidden nooks that have inspired countless writers. The festival aims to celebrate London as a muse, backdrop, and home to numerous literary greats, making their stories and influences tangible through engaging walking tours.
A key benefit of the festival is its diverse range of themes and locations, catering to various literary interests. Participants can delve into the life and times of William Shakespeare with “Shakespeare for All in All,” a two-hour exploration of the City and Southwark revealing the Bard's multifaceted roles. Another highlight is “Roaring Twenties Through Writers' Eyes,” which transports attendees to the jazz age, examining how this dynamic era influenced authors like Evelyn Waugh, Noël Coward, Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Aldous Huxley, and Virginia Woolf. The festival also spotlights specific authors and their connections to the city, such as “Cold Comfort Farm in Highgate,” visiting the former home of Stella Gibbons, and “Peter Ackroyd's Monstrous East End,” which explores themes from his novels like *Hawksmoor*.
Furthermore, “Literary Women of the City” celebrates both renowned figures like Agatha Christie and J.K. Rowling, alongside lesser-known but significant women such as Maria Hackett and ‘Mad Madge' Cavendish. While most tours are in-person, a selection of virtual tours, including one on Oscar Wilde, ensures accessibility. Tickets are priced at £17.50 for in-person tours and £10 for online sessions, with a 20% discount on subsequent tours after an initial purchase. A potential risk for interested participants is the high demand, as many tours have historically sold out in advance. Therefore, early booking is recommended to secure a spot in this comprehensive literary journey through London.
(Source: https://londonist.com/london/things-to-do/literary-walking-tour-festival-footprints)
