FITZROVIA GUIDED WALKING TOUR WITH AUTHOR PAUL TALLING

Event information

Fitzrovia has a rich history and a character all its own. This area, known for its literary and artistic heritage, is nestled between the bustling streets of Soho, Marylebone, and Bloomsbury.

We shall be walking these streets lined with elegant Georgian and Victorian buildings with Paul giving a general history of the area and reading from his London's Lost Music Venues books as we discuss the bands that played at the UFO club, Embassy Rooms, Polytechnic of Central London, The Green Man/Portlands and Regent Street Polytechnic. Other musical references to include the Roebuck where the Jesus and Mary Chain played their 1st London gig, the Adams Arms where the first Creation Records LP was recorded, CBS Studios where The Clash, Iggy and The Stooges & Madonna recorded albums and Langham Studios, now a hotel, once home to many a BBC recording session for the likes of Bob Marley, The Cure and ELO. Other highlights along the way include pubs associated with Dylan Thomas, Anthony Burgess and George Orwell, lost record shops of Hanway Street, the site of Boy George's squat, the location of the former Middlesex Hospital featured in the first Derelict London book, the spot where Britain's largest postwar robbery at the time took place in 1952 and a workhouse that inspired Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist. Plus a classic location featured in the closing credits of Minder and also used for photoshoots for The Stranglers and The Clash. Many more tangents along the way can be expected.

We stop off for a drink at the King & Queen, where Bob Dylan played when he first visited London back in 1962, The walk finishes near Oxford Circus tube. The duration is roughly 4 hours. For those that fancy a drink at the end of the walk, we visit the Horse & Groom, where the Manic Street Preachers played their first London gig.

The recommended pre-walk breakfast venue is the Piccolo Café, 115 Euston St, NW1 2EX (4 mins walk from Warren St station).

By purchasing a ticket for a walk, you agree to the following terms and conditions:

• Although public liability insurance is held, the organiser shall not be held responsible for accidents, injury, loss or damage to persons or property due to participation in Paul Talling's walks. Ticket holders are responsible for their safety while taking part in a walk. The guide is responsible for showing ticket holders sites of interest, but not to steward ticket holders across roads etc.

• The tour goes ahead regardless of the weather or transport difficulties. No refunds due to inclement weather are given.

• The walk will depart promptly at the advertised time & will not wait for late-comers. If a ticket holder misses the walk, no refund will be given. You are strongly urged to check TFL for weekend engineering works that may affect your journey.

• Once a ticket has been purchased, the agency is unable to offer a refund or swap dates.