Explore Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol Through Locations From The Most Famous Christmas Story Ever Told.
Step Into Dickens’ London: A Christmas Carol Walking Tour
Step back in time to the world of Charles Dickens and experience the magic of A Christmas Carol where it all began — in the very streets of Victorian London.
Guided by expert storytellers, you’ll wander through atmospheric alleys and historic landmarks that brought Ebenezer Scrooge, Jacob Marley, and Tiny Tim to life. From hidden corners of the City to grand buildings steeped in history, this tour reveals the places and experiences that inspired Dickens’ timeless tale.
Along the way, enjoy captivating stories, dramatic readings, and fascinating insights into Dickens’ life and the social world of 19th-century London. Every stop immerses you deeper into the sights, sounds, and struggles of the era, wrapped in the seasonal spirit that makes this story so enduring.
Perfect for families, literature lovers, and holiday travellers alike, this is more than just a walking tour — it’s a festive journey through history, brimming with warmth, wonder, and Dickensian cheer.
The Tour Includes, But Is Not Limited To:
Dickens’ A Christmas Carol Walking Tour Itinerary
Villiers Street
Our journey begins on Villiers Street, where we uncover the difficult childhood of Charles Dickens. At just twelve years old, he was forced to work at Warren’s Blacking Factory near Hungerford Stairs after his family fell into financial hardship. This painful experience haunted Dickens throughout his life, fuelling his fear of poverty and inspiring many of the themes found in his later works.
Craven Street
Step onto Craven Street, a place Dickens knew well and which has barely changed since the 18th century. Here you’ll learn about the remarkable connections to two American Founding Fathers and an American literary rival of Dickens. Discover the macabre event both writers attended, the important role of John Leech — the illustrator of A Christmas Carol — and how one feature of a nearby house inspired one of the most enduring images in literary history.
Adelphi Theatre
Theatre played a major role in Dickens’ success, though often without his consent. Many of his stories were quickly adapted for the stage, sometimes without payment or permission. Learn how A Christmas Carol became a theatrical sensation at the Adelphi Theatre, and why these performances helped make the tale one of the most popular Christmas stories of all time.
180 Studios (Former Site of Chapman & Hall)
At the site of Dickens’ publishers, Chapman & Hall, we trace the origins of A Christmas Carol. Despite his worldwide fame by the 1840s, Dickens faced financial struggles. Discover how these challenges, and even a journey to the north of England, inspired him to write a story that would become one of the most beloved tales ever told.
St Mary le Strand
At this historic church, where Dickens’ parents were married, you’ll learn how his family history shaped his life. Find out why Dickens was named after a relative who narrowly avoided the gallows and how his parents’ marriage influenced his own views on love and family.
Brabant Court
Tucked away in a hidden corner of the City, Brabant Court transports you back to 1843 London. Here, your guide will describe the living conditions that shaped Dickens’ characters and how he imagined Scrooge himself. This is also where you’ll step into A Christmas Carol, beginning with Stave One — Marley’s Ghost.
Mansion House
Outside Mansion House, your guide brings Stave Two — The First of the Three Spirits — to life. Discover locations tied to Dickens’ personal history, learn about his favourite sister, and hear the story of his first, unrequited love, which profoundly influenced his writing.
Newman’s Court
Next, we enter Stave Three — The Second of the Three Spirits. Learn about Bob Cratchit, one of Dickens’ most beloved characters, and what life was like for clerks in Victorian London. Explore why Dickens placed the Cratchit family in Camden Town and how their struggles reflected those of everyday Londoners.
The George & Vulture
At one of Dickens’ favourite haunts, the historic George & Vulture, discover how Christmas was celebrated in 1843. From feasts to festive traditions, this stop will make your mouth water as you hear about the food and drink featured in A Christmas Carol and the ways working families prepared their Christmas dinners.
St Peter-upon-Cornhill
Here we step into the most haunting part of Dickens’ tale: Stave Four — The Last of the Spirits. Explore the sombre history of Victorian burials, the overcrowded churchyards of the City, and Scrooge’s chilling encounter with his own fate.
Leadenhall Market
The tour concludes at the magnificent Leadenhall Market, where the story reaches its joyous finale with Stave Five — The End of It. Discover where Scrooge’s famous Christmas turkey would have been bought, how readers first reacted to the novella, and how this story forever changed the way we celebrate Christmas.