London's Top 10: shedding an alternative light on London’s best-known landmarks
posted on 31/01/18
Our new London Day, London’s Top 10, is an attempt to see London’s most famous sights with fresh eyes, breaking down the barrier of over-familiarity.
The itinerary runs on 12 April (led by Martin Randall), 8 May (led by architectural historian Dr Steven Brindle), and 29 June (led by travel writer Sophie Campbell). Lecturers will choose 8 or 9 nine landmarks for their tour, from the following:
The Tower of London
Tower Bridge
The Shard (from a distance)
St Paul’s Cathedral (entered)
Trafalgar Square
Westminster Abbey (entered)
The Houses of Parliament
Piccadilly Circus
Downing Street
Buckingham Palace
Our lecturers will convey information and explanation rarely imparted by ordinary guides and guidebooks, and you will hear analyses and interpretations, often reflecting new scholarship, which go beyond the expectations of the majority of tourists.
Chief Executive Martin Randall, who leads the 12 April departure, said the following about the new London Day:
“When a student, I obtained permission to ascend the scaffolding at St Paul’s. The purpose was thrills rather than scholarship; to the foreman, who expected the latter, I tried to pontificate sagely about Wren’s wishes with regard to skyline sculpture, but I’m still embarrassed by the memory because it was largely made up. English architecture was my first art-historical passion; forty-something years later, I am allowing myself another thrill at St Paul’s – and nine other buildings – by explaining how it came to be. This London Day attempts to batter down the barrier of over-familiarity with pertinent information and insights – all evidence-based, I promise!”
By Miles Rowland, Digital Marketing Assistant
View itinerary for London’s Top 10
