London at War

From defeating Napoleon, to crushing uprisings in the Empire, to fighting off the Nazi Luftwaffe, Britain has been at the centre of some of the most defining conflicts in world history, with London as the beating heart of its military prowess. How could it be that the capital of such a small island ended up running one of the greatest military powers of the globe? Join us on Walkative’s London At War tour to delve deep into this question and explore London’s wartime history, from the British Empire, the Blitz & WWII, to the Cold War. 

Starting by the Palace of Westminster, and walking through the Mall and government district of Whitehall, we’ll discuss the conflicts of the British Empire and the millions of troops fighting for (and sometimes against) it in the 19th century. We’ll reveal the harrowing truth of the birth of concentration camps in South Africa standing by the Boer War Memorial, as well as pass the house of the famous T.E. Lawrence, whose life inspired the era-defining ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ movie. We will then step into the enthralling stories of WWII, and, at Blitz damage, discuss what it was like for Londoners as the Nazi Luftwaffe assaulted the city with thousands of bombs. We will see where Winston Churchill’s War Rooms were, explaining the decisions made below, and pay our respects at the Cenotaph and Battle of Britain Monument. Lastly, but not only, at St Ermin’s Hotel, we will unearth the secret story of the Cambridge Spy Ring operating during the times of the Cold War.

Join our London At War tour to see both the iconic places related to WWII, as well as hidden spots and memorials to forgotten tales that you would otherwise have missed. Most of all, though, join us to understand the bigger picture of London at the centre of the world in times of conflict, from early Zeppelin air raids during WWI, through the battles of the British Empire, WWII and the Blitz, up to the movies that made the image of the dry, posh, tongue-in-cheek, moustachioed military officer so iconic. This tour has it all!

During the 2 hour 45 min tour you will see and discover:

• Lawrence of Arabia’s London House


• The Boer War Memorial


• Winston Churchill’s War Rooms


• Remaining WW2 Bunkers & Blitz Damage


• The Cenotaph by Downing Street


• Monument to the Women of WW2


• The Battle of Britain Monument


• The Gurkha Memorial


• St Ermin’s Hotel