Culture & history Guided tours Tours Sightseeing

The execution of Charles 1 in 1649 is the key event in the creation of 21st century Britain. Relive the drama of Charles's last days as well as exploring its impact across subsequent centuries.

Highlights

• The dramatic events leading to the execution of Charles 1 in 1649
• Explaining how modern British democracy was created
• Tour lead by a Historian who specialises in this era

Description

A regicide ( the killing of a king ordained by god ) was unthinkable until civil war broke out between Charles 1 and Parliament. Relive probably the most dramatic and most important day in British History. We meet next to the Suffragette's statue of Emily Pankhurst in Victoria Tower Gardens. We then experience the buildings and statues in and around Parliament Square which are important to both Royalists and Parliamentarians. Then we explore Charles 1's last walk to the executions block through Green Park to a balcony at Banqueting House. The regicide was not just the key event in power draining away from the Royal family and passing to Parliament. It also shaped the actions and thinking of British icons such as Winston Churchill and protest movements such as the Suffragettes in later centuries. We will pass sites such as Admiralty Arch (from where Churchill ran much of the second world war) and finish at Trafalgar Square (site of numerous protests). All generations work with the achievements and follies of previous generations. This guided historical walk provides the context to understand how 21st century British democracy was created!! The tour is lead by Terry Silvers MA who is a qualified teacher and Westminster City Guide. He currently teaches a part time pre University course in London about the British royal family of four hundred to six hundred years ago - the Tudors and Stuarts.

Includes

Services of a qualified Westminster guide and History Teacher Seeing Historical statues and exteriors of Historical buildings relevant to the theme of the walk

Important Information

• London often has four seasons in a day - please dress prepared for rain or shine.

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund