The Book Club

An erudite and entertaining day out with morning coffee and lunch included and enjoyed together

This trip is like curling up with a really good book on a rainy day. It is like combining a well-crafted radio programme with a coach tour of London. The day also includes time to browse in the famous book district of Charing Cross Road or pop into the National Portrait Gallery and an afternoon among the treasures of the British Library.

Please meet your Guide at 10-30am in Charing Cross for morning refreshments included in the tour fee. Charing Cross Road is London’s book district, defying the bibliocide of the internet. It’s always been an extraordinary place, at one end in the stews of St Giles began the plague and from Westminster at the other the nation has long been governed. As Dr. Johnson pithily observed “... the full tide of human existence is at Charing Cross.” Writers notice these things.

From the classics to crime and from children’s books to popular fiction the streets and landmarks of London have fed the imaginations of countless authors. These books, and sometimes the films made from them, have consequently shaped the image of London in the minds of millions of people throughout the world. During an entertaining coach tour you’ll hear of some very famous books including recent works but we’ll also hopefully introduce you to some lesser-known books that you might want to return home and get out of the library.

We sit together for a set lunch, included in the tour fee, with time at Charing Cross to enjoy some of the specialist, second-hand and antiquarian bookshops along the Charing Cross Road and in Cecil Court (closed Sundays). Others might enjoy popping into the compact and fascinating National Portrait Gallery (admission free) where the collection includes many of the writers your guide will have talked about.

In the afternoon we visit the public galleries at the new British Library. Said to resemble a Tesco superstore the interior is much kinder on the eye.  The glass walls in the core of the building reveal the huge leather volumes from the King’s Library, donated by George III. See over 200 beautiful and fascinating items including sacred texts, maps and musical manuscripts from over the centuries and around the world. Discover some of the world's most exciting and significant books, including Shakespeare's First Folio. You can settle down and buy a cup of tea in the Library Cafe before heading home at 4-45pm.

We’ll send everyone off with a book list to enjoy. Some of you might wish to follow this through back home with an informal Book Club – what a great idea for low cost and very sociable entertainment in this new Age of Austerity!

Easy walking on this tour

Available weekdays throughout the year, e specially recommended as a cosy day out for the colder months except December. You can still book in December, but we aren't able to offer the morning coffee and lunch. However we will, for all December trips, make a booking for the group to buy coffee together and for lunch there are very many cafes and pubs to choose from. 

Adults & Seniors: £18.95       December only: £10.50
Price valid 1st April 2012 to 31st March 2013

Coach Mileage: 15

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