Children's Tour of Dickens' London
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As you enter Charles Dickens’ London, be prepared for diversions & amusements at every turn. Queen Victoria is on the throne and England is in a holiday mood! Welcome! Care for a dance? First on your left you’ll find that Mr. Fezziwig is throwing a party for all of his friends (and everyone is a friend to Mr. Fezziwig)! Join in, learn to dance and play parlour games, or just watch the fun!
On your right, as you pass through the Grand Concourse, stop by Mrs. Piper’s Photo Parlour and pose for an old-fashioned Victorian photo with your family and friends. Across the way, you can try on and purchase lovely garlands for your hair at Rosie’s Posies, or peruse the magic crystals at The Magic Crystal Cart. Farther on, more magic still, at the Whirlwood Wands store.
Down by the London Docks, through Grenadiers Gate you will find the Paddy West School of Seamanship. Here you can try your hand at knot-making, be hoisted up in the rigging by a helpful sailor, and enjoy the lively shows on the Paddy West Stage. At Pirates’ Cove you’ll discover booty and trinkets for holiday gifting.
Now wander past the Docks and into Ale House Alley, and you’ll find stunning Fairies and Fairy Homes in Whispers from the Past. Just next door, don’t miss your opportunity to try on an array of fine and silly hats at Pat’s Hats, then move on to the sign of the Pale Moon beneath the great green clock, where you can pick your own baubles to make a necklace or earrings as a gift for someone you love.
Next, enjoy a bag of fresh hot Cinnamon Almonds as you head past Mad Sal’s Alehouse Theatre (Not for Children) and into the Golden Square. Keep your eyes open and you might see the Artful Dodger, or another young apprentice pickpocket as you pass Fagin’s Den. These lads are not to be trusted—keep a close eye on them!
Once you’re in Golden Square, listen for the beautiful sounds of harp music flowing from Caswell Harps. Do you have the soul of an Irish Bard? Ask the harp-maker to let you try your hand. In the Square you’ll often encounter musicians and dancers from Northern and Eastern Europe, eager to share their musical heritages!
Back down Nickelby Road on your left, at Amsbury Ceramics you can make your own necklace or bracelet, choosing from hundreds of handmade beads, then hurry across the lane to Bramosia Chocolates for handmade chocolate delights! In Petticoat Lane, have your hair braided at Adorn Thy Hair and take a peek in the Adventurers’ Club, perhaps to see the writer Rudyard Kipling, the artist Christina Rossetti, and His Royal Highness Price Albert discussing the upcoming Crystal Palace Exhibition!
Just beyond the Chocolate Cart, pass through the doorway into Cratchit’s Yard. On your right you will find the Boot the Cat game, where you can use your skill to knock noisy cats out of the window; flip a chimney sweep into a chimney at Flip a Sweep; then pelt the terrible performers with vegetables at Footlight Fiasco. Then cross the Yard and discover La Legion Fantastique, a collection of artifacts, inventors and oddities gathered by adventurer Phileas Fogg on his trip around the world in 80 days. Next you'll encounter the Jungle Adventure Carousel and perhaps take a ride on your favorite wild beastie.
Down Fish Street, you’ll find the best Fish & Chips in all of England! Fortify yourself with a bite to eat at one of the many fine eateries, and then learn the art of Fencing at the Corinthian Rose Fencing Academy. Now you’re ready to watch the masters of swordcraft, the Albion School of Defense, in their production of The Three Musketeers at the Odyssey Theatre.
Return to play another game in Cratchit's Yard, then take the passageway through the London Docks to discover traditional English Pub darts at the Cat 'n Bull Gaming Parlour. Continue on into Tinsley Green, where Father Christmas makes his appearance and poses for pictures on the Father Christmas Stage at 2:00 daily. Create a gift for a deserving family member by painting your own ceramic ornament at the Children’s Painting Garden. Then relax and share a refreshing pot of tea with the family at Cuthbert’s Tea Shoppe; here you may have peanut-butter and honey sandwiches or scones, and hot chocolate if you’ve been especially good! Here you will also find the Punch & Judy Puppet Theatre. (Don't encourage old Mr. Punch; he'll get into enough trouble all on his own.) Treat yourself to the popular Mr. Punch's Pasta and enjoy your lunch while you watch the shows.
Now wind your way back into Pickwick Place, where you will find more eateries. Across the way, try your hand at the miraculous mechanical Candy Machine, where everyone wins a prize! Down Bellringer’s Row you will find freshly baked warm cookies at Maclaren’s Cookies & Milk. Across from the cookie booth is Nuyens Portraits, where you can pause to be skillfully sketched. To your right is The London Telegraph Booth; from here you can send a telegram to anyone you choose, and the telegraph girls and boys will run all over London searching for the very person you want to receive it.
Don’t miss Aladdin & Cinderella Meet the Monkey King in the Victoria & Albert Theatre – get yourself a box of freshly-popped popcorn, and take a seat! After the show, stop by the authentic Printing Press and try your hand at typesetting.
Then, retrace your steps to visit whatever you missed on the first go-around!
