One of our favorite tour guides, Rob Smith will take us on a stroll through the past, to the historic streets of Islington, near London, at Christmas.

During the Victorian period, the English completely reinvented Christmas, popularizing the tradition of tree decoration (borrowed from Germany), special foods and puddings, and the exchanging of gifts. Royal Oak’s online walking tour will examine the different ways that Christmas was celebrated in Islington in the Victorian period, drawing from local newspapers and etchings of the 1860s.

Rob will conjure up the sights and sounds of Christmas — the shops being readied for Christmas day, musical acts performing at the music hall, decorations for sale and badly behaving carol singers. We will learn about dancing at Henry’s Assembly Rooms, Thomas’ celebrated currant cake and the Boot Black Boys Christmas dinner. Bring your holiday spirit and join our special tour in Victorian Islington!