Life and Death in Victorian Britain
A Public Health Walk in Victorian Southwark
The walker tells of the health, social and working conditions suffered by the Victorian poor, the ‘miasma’ produced by Father Thames and the lack of a sewage system, and of Southwark’s own connection to the cholera epidemics of the 1830s. The horrible symptoms of the disease of cholera and how it came to England are described. The contributions of key figures – social reformer Edwin Chadwick, doctor John Snow, statistician William Farr and engineer Joseph Bazalgette- are considered, and the story of how they came to play a role in ridding London from cholera is told.
Route includes: The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret, Southwark Cathedral, the Clink and Clink Street, the Anchor Inn, The Thames, London Bridge, Borough Market, Hay’s Galleria (Hay’s Wharf) and Guy’s Hospital.
The Bodysnatchers' Haunts
Anatomy was at the heart of medical teaching and the students and tutors of the United Borough Schools of Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital required human material, brought to them fresh from the graves of London.
Visit the locations of the secretive 19th century Bodysnatchers' haunts, learn the truth about the anatomist's need for bodies and burial in 19th century London and discover what has become of the anatomy schools and the burial grounds of London in 2010...
Walk variations are also available on:
Charles Dickens’ London : Ragged Schools, Workhouses, Debtors Prisons, Alms Houses, crime and character; a tour of the Southwark that Dickens embedded in his novels.
Literary London Life : The theatres of South London, and the brothels and coffee house chat inspired the creations of many literary greats. Chaucer, Dr Johnson, Ruskin, Keats and Dickens - portraits on a tour of our Nation’s literary health.
Booking Information
To proceed we need the title of the walk you require, the date, time and starting point, and an approximate idea of how many people will attend. It helps if you can also give a profile of the interests and age of your group, how you want to fit the walk into the National Curriculum, and if there are any places you particularly want the walk to include.
The cost of a walk is £6.00 per person (no concessions). A walk combined with a museum visit costs £9.00 for child/concession and £9.25 adult price. There is a minimum charge based on the rate for 10 people.
All tours take place during our daytime opening hours (10.30 – 5pm), but evening walks can be arranged on request. Dates and times are subject to the availability of guides, but this will be checked by the museum before a booking is confirmed. Walks last between 60 and 90 minutes, and any walk booked should take place regardless of the weather.
Please bring your own umbrellas! Regardless of weather, the walk will proceed!
For Further Details or Booking, Ring: 0207 188 2679 or email curator@thegarret.org.uk
For additional walks, see the CHR website: http://www.chr.org.uk/walks.htm
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