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Rock’n’Roll Explorer Day – Barnes, Twickenham & Richmond
DATES
| 2nd June 2023 |
| 21st July 2023 |
| 4th August 2023 |
| 25th August 2023 |
TIME: Meet at 9.30am (0930)
COST: £49 per person
MEETING POINT: Waterloo Station by the National Windrush Memorial just inside the main entrance of the station (see photo)
What Is A Rock’n’Roll Explorer Day?
A Rock’n’Roll Explorer Day goes further afield than a regular walking tour. It’s a full day tour using London’s public transport network to reach areas of London that are just too far to include on a standard West End walking tour.
On this Southwest London Rock’n’Roll Explorer Day we will travel by public transport to visit three different historic neighbourhoods – each with a long and venerable musical heritage.
The Places
Barnes, Twickenham and Richmond are three of the most exclusive, picturesque and historic neighbourhoods in Greater London. Each boasts strong links with the major players in the foundation and story of rock ‘n’ roll.
As we go, we will also uncover a little of the history of these London villages, as well as the architecture, the famous people and the events that made these neighbourhoods the alluring destinations that they are in the 21st-century.
We will meet: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, the Small Faces, Queen, Marc Bolan & more…
We will see: Recording studios, film locations, homes, shrines, legendary gig venues and we’ll visit one of the UK’s best small museums with free admission for Rock’n’Roll London Explorers.
Music History
From the arrival of black music into England to the birthplace of The Rolling Stones we’ll look at how, when and why American music was reshaped in this leafy corner of olde England’s capital.
How Does An Explorer Day Work?
Rock’n’Roll Explorer Day – Barnes, Twickenham & Richmond
Meet your guide Adam at 9:30 am at Waterloo station a 20 minute train ride will take us to Barnes in Southwest London
Morning
Beginning with one of the most breathtaking views of the River Thames, in Barnes we will seek out The Beatles, The Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Marc Bolan. Following a short coffee break at the cinema which was once one of the world’s leading recording studio. Then we will board a bus for a five minute ride to the Marc Bolan shrine.
A 10 minute train ride will take us to Twickenham, where we will see the location of the legendary Eel Pie Island venue. From the 1950s to the late 1960s, Eel Pie Island hosted skiffle & trad jazz through the blues boom to the rock era. Acts discussed here will include Pink Floyd, Rod Stewart and the ever-present Stones. We will then visit the wonderful Eel Pie Island Museum with free admission for Rock’n’Roll London Explorers.
Break for lunch. If you choose to have lunch at the nearby Eel Pie Pub a 15% discount is offered for Rock’n’Roll London Explorers!
Afternoon
A 20 minute train and bus ride takes us to Richmond Hill. In Richmond Hill, we will find The Who, Mick Jagger, the Rolling Stones and The Beatles.
Our walk down the hill to Richmond Green takes in a view so special that it is protected by Act Of Parliament, as well as a little Richmond history and we conclude the story of how black music first came to dominate pop and rock music in this country. The Rock’n’Roll Explorer Day ends at Richmond station with the birthplace of The Rolling Stones.
At Richmond Station Rock’n’Roll Explorers can catch trains and the London Underground back to central London with departures roughly every 10 minutes.
FAQs
Q. How Much Walking Is Involved?
A. An average level of fitness is recommended for this tour. You will take roughly 8,000 steps covering approximately 3.4 – 3.5 miles over the course of the day.
Q. Are There Steps? Hills? Uneven Surfaces?
A. Step free access is available at all four stations that we will visit (Waterloo, Barnes Bridge, Barnes, Twickenham & Richmond). At one point, we will cross a small portion of Barnes Common using a footpath which can occasionally be muddy. The terrain in Richmond is very hilly.
Q. What Are The Advantages of Using Public Transport?
A. Using public transport allows us to provide all the exclusivity and intimacy of a private tour for the cost of a public tour. In addition…
• Our short journeys allow us plenty of breaks throughout the day – public transport is less busy in the middle of the day so there will be plenty of opportunities for a sit down.
• It’s greener. This is the most environmentally friendly music tour in town.
• With no extra cost for coach hire and driver we can keep the price of the tour way down.
Q. If we are moving all day, are there any loo stops?
A. Yes! All three stations on the route have toilet facilities. Adam has scoped and scouted and will happily provide you with his Good Loo Guide To Southwest London!
Q. How Many People Will Be In The Group?
A. There will be no more than 12 people on each Explorer Day.
Q. Exactly How Much Of My Day Will Be Spent Travelling On Public Transport?
A. In total, we will be on public transport for around one hour. The longest journeys will be 20 minutes. For the longer journeys you have the option of accessing a number of specially curated playlists on Spotify, podcasts to listen to, blog posts to read. Alternatively you can chat to your guide Adam and get to know your fellow Rock’n’Roll Explorers, or simply sit back and relax.
Q. Is Lunch Included in the price?
A. No, but if you decide to have lunch at the Eel Pie Pub in Twickenham, your tour ticket does include a 15% discount on lunch.
Q. Do I Have To Buy A Special Train Ticket?
A. No. An ordinary travel card/Oyster card/bank or debit card will be sufficient on the date. If you pay by bank card, TFL (Transport For London) will automatically cap your daily transport at £14. That £14 will include your journey to Waterloo station, your journey back from Richmond, all the journeys undertaken on the Explorer Day and any subsequent bus, train or tube journeys that you might take in the evening of the same day up till midnight.
Q. Will Adam Be Guiding On The Bus/Train On The Explorer Day?
A. Adam will be with you the whole day, available to answer questions and chat. He will not be conducting a formal guided tour on the trains/buses.
However… For those of you, who would like them Adam has curated a number of special playlists relating to the tour. These can be accessed at any time during the Explorer Day. They will be informative and well as fun and hopefully will help your travelling time to pass little more enjoyably.
Q. When And Where Does The Explorer Day End?
A. We will aim to end at Richmond between 4.30pm (1630) and 5pm (1700). You will be back in central London by 5:30pm (1730) in good time for any evening events, restaurants, or theatre performance… Or indeed to join me on an evening walking tour in the West End!
Q. Why are there no reviews of this tour yet?
A: Because it’s a new tour! Check out our other reviews HERE.
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