walk/tour
Graces Alley, E1 8JB
what3words: door.palms.nasal
This walking tour tells the story of central London though one of it’s most abundant and unnoticed elements of street furniture – the humble bollard. Standing proud on our pavements, these posts carry peculiar stories, protect buildings of historic significance, and come in an array of beautiful shapes and sizes. Come along to learn more about our streets’ cast iron compatriots.
Aldgate East, Shadwell, Tower Hill
Fenchurch Street
100, 343, 42, 78, D3
Meet on the Graces Alley and Ensign Street. End point will be the Barbican Estate
Many parts of the tour are on streets with limited places to sit down.
This walking tour will run along the City of London's trafficked streets, occasionally stepping into fully pedestrianised spaces.
Walking tour
10:00–12:00
How to book
Bookings will open at midday on 19 August. You won't be able to book a ticket before then.
This walking tour aims to tell a number of stories across central London though one of it’s most abundant and unnoticed elements of street furniture; the humble bollard. Standing proud on our pavements, these posts carry peculiar stories, protect buildings of historic significance, and come in an array of beautiful shapes and sizes. Come along to learn more about our streets’ cast iron compatriots.
The tour will start at a row of bollards marking the short-lived Brunswick Theatre, before heading West into The City of London and up through its financial district until we reach the end point at The Barbican’s streets in the sky, where the mid-century utopian vision of separating pedestrians from vehicles removed the need for bollards in the building of post-war Britain. Along the journey you can expect examples of ornately designed bollards by the City of London Corporation, tales of cannons, anti-terrorism measures, some of England’s most well-known authors’ favourite churchyards, and posts that move in the night.
The tour will last between two to two and a half hours – please wear suitable shoes for walking, and weather appropriate clothing.
The Golden Key Academy is a course training up insightful and engaging guides dedicated to explaining London and bringing its many stories to life. This tour is part of a wider collection of tours created by Golden Key Academy guides for the Open House Festival celebrating their conclusion of the eight month course.
Further information on the Golden Key Academy can be found here https://open-city.org.uk/golden-key-academy
If you would like to attend this tour, please ensure you have booked a ticket before turning up.
