Lombard Street (Dickens-era site), London
Lombard Street, a locale that presently houses many financial institutions and stands as an affluent residential area, had a notable history in the 19th century. At 1 Lombard Street, it was home to Smith, Payne & Smiths Bank. The bank's manager, George Beadnell, resided next door at 2 Lombard Street. In 1831, Beadnell and his wife hosted a dinner for friends and the daughters' acquaintances, which included a 19-year-old Charles Dickens, who was on the verge of commencing his career as a parliamentary reporter.
Of particular note was Beadnell's third daughter, Maria, who captivated the young Dickens. He vividly described his infatuation, likening it to a "captured butterfly" pinned to the black velvet trimming on one of Maria's dresses. The young man would make late-night pilgrimages to Lombard Street just to catch a glimpse of the place where Maria slumbered. His devotion to her endured for four years until 1833 when Maria returned from abroad, and their relationship came to an end.
Maria partially served as the inspiration for Dora Spenlow, David's wife in "David Copperfield". In real life, she resurfaced in 1855 as Mrs. Winter, reaching out to Dickens for a meeting. Anticipation ran high, but Dickens was profoundly disappointed, finding Maria "toothless, fat, old and ugly". She made another fictional appearance as Flora Finching, Arthur Clennam's former love, in "Little Dorrit".
In Dickens's first novel, "The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club" (more commonly known as "The Pickwick Papers"), the narrative revolves around a group of men journeying across England and lodging in various inns, including the George and Vulture on Lombard Street, during their stay in London.
Of particular note was Beadnell's third daughter, Maria, who captivated the young Dickens. He vividly described his infatuation, likening it to a "captured butterfly" pinned to the black velvet trimming on one of Maria's dresses. The young man would make late-night pilgrimages to Lombard Street just to catch a glimpse of the place where Maria slumbered. His devotion to her endured for four years until 1833 when Maria returned from abroad, and their relationship came to an end.
Maria partially served as the inspiration for Dora Spenlow, David's wife in "David Copperfield". In real life, she resurfaced in 1855 as Mrs. Winter, reaching out to Dickens for a meeting. Anticipation ran high, but Dickens was profoundly disappointed, finding Maria "toothless, fat, old and ugly". She made another fictional appearance as Flora Finching, Arthur Clennam's former love, in "Little Dorrit".
In Dickens's first novel, "The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club" (more commonly known as "The Pickwick Papers"), the narrative revolves around a group of men journeying across England and lodging in various inns, including the George and Vulture on Lombard Street, during their stay in London.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in London. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Lombard Street (Dickens-era site) on Map
Sight Name: Lombard Street (Dickens-era site)
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in London, England
Create Your Own Walk in London
Creating your own self-guided walk in London is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Bridges of London
Around thirty bridges span the Thames river in London, each with its own story. Our self-guided walk takes you to see nine such historical structures located in the heart of the city, starting from the storied Westminster Bridge and ending at the iconic Tower Bridge.
The latter has stood over the River Thames in London since 1894 and is one of the finest, most recognizable bridges in the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.2 Km or 3.2 Miles
The latter has stood over the River Thames in London since 1894 and is one of the finest, most recognizable bridges in the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.2 Km or 3.2 Miles
South Bank Walking Tour
The South Bank is a stretch of the Thames in London that is beautiful to walk through because there are so many iconic and magnificent things to see along the way. A lively and ever-changing area at the heart of London’s cultural scene, it also has the advantage of offering views across the Thames to some of the most famous buildings anywhere. The Palace of Westminster is the major feature in... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles
London Introduction Walking Tour
After the Roman invasion of 43 AD, the settlement of Londinium came into being. Things went well enough until 61 AD. Then Queen Boudica and her Iceni warriors arrived. They burned the town to ashes. They were not just rowdy tourists. Londinium had died but it rose again and it flourished until the Romans left in the 5th century.
With the Romans gone, Londinium was Anglo-Saxon Lundenwic. Until... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
With the Romans gone, Londinium was Anglo-Saxon Lundenwic. Until... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
Harry Potter Walking Tour II
The arrival of Harry Potter books, followed by tremendously successful Hollywood adaptation, has made London an even more popular destination now with the Harry Potter fans all over the world. The list of attractions in the city associated with Potter’s journeys includes both, newly-invented as well as some long-standing locations.
On Part II of the self-guided Happy Potter Walking Tour, you... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
On Part II of the self-guided Happy Potter Walking Tour, you... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Jane Austen’s London
The celebrated English novelist Jane Austen primarily lived between Bath and Hampshire. However, London also held a special significance in Austen's life. Many of her novels drew inspiration from the capital, like Lydia Bennet and Mr Wickham’s elopement in “Pride & Prejudice.”
One of Austen's cherished spots in London was Twinings, a renowned tea shop. Jane Austen was known... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
One of Austen's cherished spots in London was Twinings, a renowned tea shop. Jane Austen was known... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
Sherlock Holmes Tour in London
Among a myriad of other, real-life celebrities who have ever called London their home, perhaps the most famous is the fictional consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes, created by Conan Doyle. Indeed, the ingenious sleuth has left an indelible mark on the literary and cultural landscape of London ever since the appearance of the first stories about him in the late 1880s. Years on, there are several... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
London Souvenirs: 20 Distinctively British Products for Travelers
Most visitors to London consider shopping as part of their must-do London experience. From street markets to Victorian arcades to snobbish Sloane Square to busy Oxford Street, there are a host of shops selling items which typically represent this vibrant city. Whether you are shopping for souvenirs...