Courses of Walks

2025-2026 COURSE SCHEDULE

From September 2025 to June 2026 WLWU are offering the following three short courses of eight walks, on a Tuesday or Thursday morning with a midway break to coincide with the half term school holidays.  

All walks start at 11 am and last between 90 minutes and 2 hours, starting and finishing close to a public transport hub.

All courses cost  £140 per person for 8 walks. A discount is available for PREBOOKED WALKS as follows:

7-8 walks - £17.50 per walk, 4-6 walks - £18.50 per walk, 1-3 walks - £20 per walk

If you would like to attend the occasional walk or would like to bring a friend, please do contact us as we may be able fit you in. 

PLEASE ENROL HERE

Spring  Term - London's Lost Rivers

Fleet

There are over 100 miles of rivers in London, fed by over 100 springs and wells which once flowed through meadows and valleys on their way to the Thames. Villages grew up along their banks, but then suburban development turned streams into sewers. Most are now underground - put to use flushing the sewers and storm drains of our city and there are few traces overground. We can follow their routes today through the surprising “dips” in some roads, through the strange curving routes of other roads and through street names. We can hear the sound of rushing waters through gratings and follow lines of “stink pipes”. Join us to find out about the rivers hiding beneath our streets.

Tuesday Schedule

Thursday Schedule

Summer Term - Made in London

clocks

In the late 1700s, Britain was the first country in the world to make things in factories using machines powered by energy generated from coal. This Industrial Revolution heralded dramatic changes in manufacturing. For a time, Britain was the world’s largest manufacturer - labelled the workshop of the world.

From the late 18th to the mid-20th century London was a leading centre of UK manufacturing. In 1861 around one sixth of the country’s manufacturing workers were employed in the capital. However, unlike many northern towns, London was not dominated by one trade but was home to a diverse set of industries. These included jewellery, clock, lock, and garment making, food processing, leather production and motor car manufacturing. In this series of walks, which span areas both north and south of the river, you will learn about the trades and manufacturing that influenced London’s geography and its neighbourhoods. At the end of the series you will understand why London was once known as The Smoke !

Tuesday Schedule

Thursday Schedule