Where?

Again we’ll be following the 17th Century footsteps of Samuel Pepys, this time leaving the City and Court to explore his naval connections. Again I’ll be your amateur guide, book in hand, pointing out the connections to Pepys on the way. No doubt other COPSErs will continue to persist in offering their own observations!

This will be an easy 5-6 hour walk along pavements (boots not required) for about 8.5 miles, ending with an optional beer or two at a historic tavern that also serves food. Leaving opportunities will be more restricted than central London, but there are connections to transport at Bermondsey (Jubilee line), Rotherhithe (Windrush line) and no doubt a selection of bus routes.

Who was Pepys?

A man who lived through the upheavals of the Civil War, the execution of Charles I, the reign of Cromwell and the subsequent restoration of the Monarchy with Charles II. Most significantly for us, from 1660 to 1669 he wrote a daily diary describing events high and low. He was a man on the rise with connections to politics and royalty, but determined to enjoy life with visits to taverns and theatres, domestic life with his French wife, and furtive dalliances with a variety of disreputable ladies.

Getting there

I’ll be catching the 11.09 East Croydon Platform 1 to London Bridge, then walking a mile or so across London Bridge to Seething Lane, where we start the walk proper.

Joining opportunities:

Call me (number below) if any difficulty joining up.

Finishing

We finish at Greenwich, where there are some interesting pubs and a variety of ways to get home!

Links

Pepys’s diary for this day 363 years ago: https://www.pepysdiary.com/

General info on Pepys: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Pepys

Contact

Ken on 07921 258876

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