Samuel Pepys Walks: Explore 17th Century London
Celebrate Samuel Pepys Day on September 5th, 2025, with four unique walking tours exploring 17th-century London. These tours, organized by City of London Guides, offer a captivating journey into the life and times of the famous diarist. Each walk, named after recurring phrases from Pepys’ diary, unveils a different facet of London’s past. ‘And So to Bed’ takes you eastward from the Monument, the starting point of the Great Fire, to the area where Pepys resided with his wife, Elizabeth. ‘I to Church’ leads north from the Monument, illuminating significant locations, individuals, and events from Pepys’ life. ‘Up and by Water’ follows a route from the Royal Exchange to the Thames, where Pepys frequently spent his time, as evidenced by his diary entry about purchasing eels. Finally, ‘From the ‘Change’ directs you westward from the Royal Exchange, encompassing Pepys’ experiences at Guildhall and Cheapside, before concluding at The Old Bailey and St Bride’s Church, his baptism site. Pepys’ diary, though spanning only nine years, provides a vivid and complex picture of 17th-century London, detailing events like the Great Fire and offering insights into its social and political landscape. While his writings offer a fascinating glimpse into the past, it’s crucial to acknowledge the problematic aspects of Pepys’ life, including his involvement in the slave trade and actions that would be considered sexual abuse today. These walks provide a balanced perspective, allowing participants to engage with both the captivating and challenging elements of this historical figure and his era.
(Source: https://londonist.com/london/things-to-do/sameul-pepys-day-walks)
