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A London walking tour through historic Bankside and Shakespearean Southwark

By The Guardian Masterclasses

Date and time

Sunday, August 21, 2016 · 1:30 - 5:30pm GMT+1

Location

Church of St Magnus the Martyr

London EC3R 6DN United Kingdom

Refund Policy

Contact the organizer to request a refund.

Description

Learn about the debaucherous history of Bankside and the everyday life of London that inspired Shakespeare’s writing – with historian and broadcaster Dr Matthew Green

This eye-opening tour with historian Dr Matthew Green will transport you through the different ages of Bankside, London’s historic strip of depravity and debauchery. From bear pits to brothels, graveyards and playhouses, you’ll discover how medieval Bankside was traditionally immune to the authority of the City of London. You’ll also learn about the world from which Shakespeare’s writing sprung, giving you a fresh understanding of how London’s social history and literature are intertwined.

The tour begins at Wren’s Church of St Magnus the Martyr, on the north bank of The Thames. You’ll then walk to London Bridge to enjoy a panoramic view of the city, with Matthew evoking the timbered houses, taverns and shops that once bulged beyond the bridge’s 19 arches. After a pint at the George Inn, you’ll immerse yourself in the sinful world of historic Bankside, hearing about the Bishop of Winchester’s medieval palace and the unsavoury conditions in the Clink, London’s worst prison.

Along the way, the tour provides magnificent juxtapositions between historic and present-day Bankside, home to cultural landmarks such as Tate Modern, Borough Market and the London Eye. By the end of the tour, you’ll have a richer appreciation of Bankside’s social and literary history, and how the city’s past continues to shape its present.

More about your teacher…

Dr. Matthew Green is the author of the acclaimed book London: A Travel Guide Through Time, which has been described by the Londonist as ‘easily the best social history of London for a decade’. He also writes historical features for the Guardian and Financial Times among others, and has contributed to many TV and radio documentaries. He’s the founder of Unreal City Audio and tweets as@drmatthewgreen.

Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website

Organized by

Welcome to Guardian Masterclasses – a unique programme of learning embedded within one of the world's most forward-thinking media organisations.

We offer a broad range of short and long courses across a variety of disciplines from creative writing, journalism, photography and design, film and digital media, music and cultural appreciation.

Harnessing the expertise and specialisms within the organisation, our courses are led by first class and award winning guardian professionals whilst also drawing on the skills and expertise of other leading figures at the forefront of the creative and digital industries.

The programme is aimed at anyone interested in personal or professional development whether that be refining your skills, focusing your ambition or simply broadening your mind and gaining inspiration.

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