The two London walks featured here make use of Charles Booth’s famous poverty maps (1898-9) which, thanks to the London School of Economics, can be viewed and compared to a contemporary street map. Directions and discussion of the various places to look out for can also be accessed alongside these. You can walk them for real or virtually.
Exploring informal education. Walking in central London we can find many places associated with key figures and moments in the making of informal education. Explore them through a virtual (or real) walk that starts by the River Thames next to Charing Cross Station and makes its way northwards via The Strand, Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, Soho and ends close to Tottenham Court Road Underground Station and Oxford Street. [updated August 2024]. Click to download the pdf version.
Exploring social action. A walk exploring the nature of social action – and the role of settlements, missions and community organizations. It also reflects on some of the key people involved. The walk starts close to Tower Bridge and ends in Rotherhithe. [updated September 2024]. Click to download the pdf version.
Both walks are available online via infed.org.
Exploring South Ronaldsay
exploringsouthronaldsay.net provides a picture of the history and daily life of this Orkney island, 700 miles north of London. It is where I live. You don’t have to go far here to find fascinating places to visit and things to do. The site lists sites of historic interest and walks that take in some key features of South Ronaldsay. It includes material on churches and chapels, the history of local schooling, and archaeological sites.
updated: June 16, 2025