Category Archives: Walk

Tasty Walking Tours of London

Whether you’re new in town or a local wanting to see the city through a fresh set of eyes, a Tastour Walk will reveal London’s highlights, whilst keeping you far away from the tourist traps and crowded streets.

Our walks are exclusively designed for Tastour.

What makes our walks different?

We don’t just focus on history…

You’ll introduced to the places recently featured popular magazines like The Metro, Evening Standard… and dare we say, The Sun.

We always meet inside a pub or restaurant…

If you arrive early, you’ll be warm, cozy and will have the option of enjoying a nice refreshment in comfort. And more importantly, you won’t be left wondering if your standing in the right spot.

We keep the group small and intimate…

So that you can enjoy your guide’s presentation. There’s nothing worse than a guided tour with more than 30 people.

Our walks usually end with a tasty bang!

Each walk ends with an optional special treat…. If may be an award-winning afternoon tea, or a drink on the 15th Floor, but rest assured, it will be something special and memorable.

Who leads our walks?

Our walks are led by a passionate and friendly Blue Badge or City of Westminster guide, who will share with you London’s fascinating and delicious food and drink history and hotspots. With snippets of information, fun facts and top recommendations, as well as ample taste opportunities along the way, you’ll get to experience our gastronomic capital whilst meeting and mingling with a small group of like-minded people, during a fun, leisurely walk.

What areas of London do we cover?

We have seven fascinating walks in the Tastour series. All of which focuses on exploring famous pubs, restaurants, bars… and let’s not forget historical and modern day Bon Vivants. Add in a few fantastic food related shops and a bit of Art History and this afternoon of discovery will give you a taste of an area you will surely want to return to!

Afternoon Tea themed walking tour of Mayfair
28 Apr 2012 1:45 PM • £12 ● Mayfair – BUY TICKETS
Are you passionate about exploring tea and all of its wondrous varieties? Would you enjoy visiting and learning about famous pubs? Join us for ‘Afternoon Tea in Mayfair’ which focuses on tea, expensive hotels, famous pubs and other foodie hotspots in Mayfair.

Foodie shop and historical pub walking tour of Marylebone
12 May 2012 1:45 PM • £12 ● Marylebone – BUY TICKETS
Keen to explore the back streets and mews with their well-known residents and historic pubs?
How about trying the famous cheese that launched La Formorgerie Cheese Shop? This fascinating walk focuses on visiting famous pubs, exploring interesting people and some great food and drink related places you’ll definitely want to return to!

Culinary St James and the revolution of Gentleman’s clubs
09 Jun 2012 1:45 PM • £12 ● St James – BUY TICKETS
Be intrigued by the ‘secret world of the wealthy’. Be fascinated by the exclusive ‘men only’ clubs from the 1800’s. Be delighted by the posh eateries and foodie delights along the way.
Join us for this fascinating, leisurely guided walk.

Famous pubs and hidden foodie delights of Belgravia
17 Nov 2012 1:45 PM • £12 ● Belgravia –BUY TICKETS
Explore some of the most historically fascinating pubs in London. Visit pubs associated with The Beatles, the disappearance of Lord Lucan and ‘The Great Train Robbery’.

Festive Feasts & Mulled Wine Walking Tour
8th or the 15th Dec 2012 5:30 PM • £15 ● Oxford Circus ● To Be Confirmed
Discover the hidden gastronomic delights away from the madness of Oxford Street Finish of by warming up by the fire and sipping mulled wine, with other interesting, like-minded Tastourians!

Liverpool Street – coffee, curry, clothes, cheese and claret
TBC 2013 1:45 PM • £12 ● Brick Lane
Are you enticed by East London’s vibrant and culturally diverse atmosphere?
Do thoughts of Monmouth coffee, curry, zucchini and fine claret wine get your mouth watering?
Fancy a taste of life in the bohemian East End? Then join us for a leisurely stroll and experience the sights, the sounds, and the tantalizing flavors unique to Brick Lane.

Details of our Soho walk coming soon!

Walks presented by Kelly Bayliffe, an award-winning wine writer and presenter.

Ice cream & Liqueur Pairing: A walk, garden party and lunch 14 Jul 2012 1:00 PM • £35 ● Hammersmith – BUY TICKETS
Do you enjoy rich, creamy, delicious ice cream? Do you relish the thought of a leisurely walk alongside the River Thames, ending with lunch in the garden of an old, quaint pub? Discover the delights of pairing sweet flavored liqueurs and luxury ice cream.

Chocolate in Epping Forest 30 Sep 2012 1:00 PM • £25 ● North East London – BUY TICKETS
Explore all five of your senses!If you love chocolate, and enjoy the simple pleasure of a leisurely stroll & picnic surrounded by nature’s beauty, then join us as we walk Epping Forest and savour over 15 tasting samples of delicious chocolate, including luxury truffles from www.ramallos.co.uk

Walk the Oxford/Cambrigde Boat Race Course
2013 TBC 1:00PM ● £3 ● Putney
Keen to learn more about this prestigious 187 year-old event? Would you like to experience the wonderful, social atmosphere and array of exquisite food and drink on offer? Then come and soak up the sun with us!

Footing it though Hampstead 2013 TBC 10:00PM ● £3 ● Highgate Fancy a walk through the quaint and beautiful village of Highgate? Soak up the sun and beautiful surroundings of Hampstead Heath! Enjoy a tour of Kenwood House & finish off with a drink and a delicious Sunday Lunch.

Walk: Robbie Burn's Haggis & Whisky Fuelled Birthday Celebration

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Saturday January 26, 2013 at 13:45

Map and Directions

Celebrate the birthday of Robbie Burns – Scotland’s favorite son – and discover how much of London is really paved in tartan!!

Burns night is celebrated around the world… but how many of us really know his poetry or why we address the haggis? I created this event a few years ago with Joanna, and it’s been hugely popular. Buy your tickets early, as this event will sell out.

More info

You’ll have your toes tapping, your tongue twisting and your taste buds tingling on this Discovery walk.

Think you know everything about Scotland’s National Bard? Think again! From Scotland Yard to Haggis and Neeps, this walk will introduce you to not one, but two Robbies.

And if you have no idea what I just said, at the very least you’ll find a few new hotspots to return to and enjoy a nice day out with fellow taste adventurers.

If you like exploring London’s side streets or simply want to build up an appetite than join fellow Tastourians than join us in celebrating the birthday of Scotland’s favourite son with a wee dram (or two) of Whisky!

What’s included?:

-Professionally guided tour and informative commentary by a qualified City of Westminster guide.

-A small bottle of whisky for the poetry recital competition

-Maps and links to places mentioned on the tour.

-An invitation to join us at one of London’s best Scottish Restaurants for a drink/dinner, post-walk.

-Booking fee & Paypal fee

Details:

Time: 1:45 – 5:00pm (Meet at 13:45 for a 14:00 departure)

Weather alternative: If it rains, the meeting time and place will remain the same. Please bring a brolly.

This walk lasts approx. 3 hours (including a 45 min pub stop)

Age: Not appropriate for children under 16

Dress: Smart casual, comfortable walking shoes

Location: near Charing Cross Tube Station

As many of our walks fill up, the meeting point will be sent with your payment confirmation. We want you to hear the guide throughout your experience; therefore, the number of people on this walk is limited to around 15 attendees.

Cost:

Non Members: Only £15

Save £3, when you pre-pay on-line 1 week before the walk

Bon Vivant’s please log in for your savings

So, why not JOIN as a Bon Vivant Member and receive exclusive invites and special discounts

Testimonial
‘Great day out! I thought I knew a lot about London, but the excellent, knowledgeable guide proved me wrong. It was a good mix of enjoyable people, learning about places I’ve already been and discovering a few hidden gems. Providing the map and links was a real bonus’ Tastourian, Janet

About our Walks:

This is one of seven fascinating walks hosted by Joanna. Our walks focus on exploring famous pubs, restaurants, bars… and let’s not forget historical and modern day epicurous adventurers. Add in a few fantastic food related shops and a bit of Art History and this afternoon of discovery will give you a taste of an area you will surely want to visit again!

Most importantly, we limit the number to around 15 people. This allows you to hear the guide and whilst providing a good mix of people to enjoy the experience with.

About our Guide:

Joanna has hosted nearly 30 walks for our group. Each walk is carefully planned, and updated with quirky news stories and property prices. If you want to know which house just sold for 17.83 million, where Nigella Lawson lives or the bar Prince Harry was last seen at sharing a £112 cocktail, Joanna will know it. If it’s history your after, you’ll be impressed… did I mention she’s a qualified City of Westminster guide?

Note about the tour

This walk currently does not go inside buildings (besides a watering holes or two for refueling) nor does it include any tasting samples. If you’re interested in this style of walk, usually costing £20-40 more, please let me know when you RSVP

Please add this event to your calendar.

This event will sell out.

Drinks after the tour:

There will be an optional drinks/dinner arranged after the tour. The venue is one of London’s best Scottish Restaurants.

Photo of the ‘addressing of the Haggis’

About Tastour

Tastour, UK Wine Educator of the Year*, makes meeting people and learning about food and drink fun, easy and engaging. With a diverse range of events, priced from £5, there is really something for everyone – from epicurean tastings and exclusive dinners, recipe swaps and walking tours to day trips and social networking nights. Our signature speedTASTING events, filled with one-liners and quirky facts, are all served alongside quality food and drink. Bring a date, your mates or come along on your own!

* Awarded by the International Wine Challenge 2010

To buy tickets or for more information about Tastour and our award-winning weekly epicurean events and private parties visit www.tastour.com or phone 07919053064

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A Small World

WALK Marylebone: Food shops, historic pubs & cheese

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Saturday October 18, 2014 at 13:45

Marylebone Road

Map and Directions

Keen to explore the back streets and mews with their well-known residents and historic pubs?

How about trying the famous cheese that launched La Fromagerie Cheese Shop?

Want to explore some of London’s best food shops?

…Then join us for ‘Walking Marylebone’.

On this walking tour, you will:

-Take a relaxed guided stroll through the back streets of Marylebone, starting near Baker Street tube and finishing between Oxford Circus/Regent’s Park and Great Portland Street tubes.

-Learn about Marylebone’s famous residents and other historical tidbits

-Sample La Formorgerie Cheese Shop’s famous cheese!

-Learn where to go for a sing song around the piano!

-Discover some of the best food shops around, including quite possibly the best fish and chips shop in London!

-See some other amazing little food and drink places that you might want to return to

-Visit 2 historically fascinating pubs, spending 30 minutes at each.

About our Walks:

This is one of seven fascinating walks in the Tastour series. Our walks focus on exploring famous pubs, restaurants, bars… and let’s not forget historical and modern day epicurous adventurers. Add in a few fantastic food related shops and a bit of Art History and this afternoon of discovery will give you a taste of an area you will surely want to visit again! Read more about our walks, here

What’s included?:

-Professionally guided tour and informative commentary by a qualified City of Westminster guide.

-A small taste of cheese presented by La Fromagerie.

-Maps and links to places mentioned on the tour.

-An invitation to join our guest at an exclusive after walk party on the 15th Floor of the St Georges Hotel.

-Booking fee & Paypal fee
Time: 1:45 – 5:00pm (Meet at 13:45 for a 14:00 departure)

This walk lasts approx. 3 hours (including 2 half hour pub stops)

Age: Not appropriate for children under 16

Dress: Smart casual, comfortable walking shoes

Location: near Baker Street Tube

We want you to hear the guide throughout your experience; therefore, the number of people on this walk is limited to 15 attendees. The meeting point will be sent with your payment confirmation.

Cost:

Non Members: Only £12, when you book online 1 week in advance, £15 after

Bon Vivant Members: £10

So, why not JOINas a Bon Vivant Member and receive exclusive invites and special discounts?

Walk the Oxford/Cambridge Boat Race Course

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Saturday April 7, 2012 at 13:00

Map and Directions

This is the 3rd year that we will be hosting at this event and it is a fantastic day out!

The Oxford/Cambridge Boat Race is steeped in tradition, taking place annually since 1829, as well as fierce rivalry between the 2 universities. Each year’s race attracts a crowd of around 250 000 people, and a BBC audience of over 6 million!

The atmosphere is one of fun and relaxation as the event swarms with people, all of whom are out to have a great time soaking up the sun, enjoying the array of foods and drinks available, socializing and OF COURSE – people watching!

Join me as we walk 1/2 of the 4 mile course, along the banks of the River Thames, starting at Putney Bridge and finishing in Barnes. (If you like, you may keep going to all the way to Chiswick Bridge.)

[url=http://www.theboatrace.org/article/image/700/full.jpg]MAP[/url]

For more info on the race please visit: http://www.theboatrace.org

Date:

7^th April

Time:

1pm

Location:

Meet outside of Putney Bridge tube at 1:00 PM (We will start the walk at 1:15pm)

Dress: Smart casual; comfortable walking shoes

In case of bad weather:

If it is raining, we will find a nearby pub and watch the race on a large screen TV

Those who do not wish to do the walk can simply meet us at the Coach and Horses in Barnes around 3pm

After the race:

We will all meet at the Coach and Horses in Barnes

Meet up Cost:

Only £3

What’s Included?

– A fascinating presentation on this very historic boat race

– A relaxing and leaisurely guided walk

– The chance to meet and socialize with other members and to experience this fantastic boat race in fine company

– Meet up fees. (I have several sites on meetup and I pay over £300 per year in fees) Please bring cash coins

DISCOVER LONDON: Brick Lane – coffee, curry, courgettes and claret

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Saturday March 10, 2012 at 14:00

Map and Directions

No other area in London evokes the City’s vibrant and diverse atmosphere in the same way as Brick Lane in London’s East End. Join us for a leisurely stroll, and you too can experience the sights, the sounds, and the tantalizing aromas and flavours of coffee, curry, courgettes (zucchinis) and claret as we explore the fascinating boutiques, bars and breweries from the 1700s to the present day. If you only think of London as Buckingham Palace and the Bank of England – prepare to have your eyes opened to the wondrous cacophony of life in the bohemian East End.

Our walks always end at a fabulous spot for a relaxed, social drink.

Time: 14:00-17:00

Meet at 13:45 for a 14:00 departure

Location: Provided in the confirmation email

Age: Not appropriate for children under 16

Dress: Smart casual; comfortable walking shoes

What’s included: Commentary by a friendly, professional blue badge guide. Map of route & booking fee

Online Booking is required:

For all Tastour award-winning events, pre-booking early is advised due to high demand.

Group discount: Purchase 5 tickets get 1 free (email info@tastour.co.uk for details)

Limited to 15 attendees, to ensure all guest can hear the guide.

Cost:

Non Members

£12 secures your spot, if pre-paid on-line 1 week prior to the event

£15 is the standard price, if pre-paid within 7 days of the event

Bon Vivant Members

Only £6, if pre-paid on-line 1 week prior to the event

£9 is the standard price for members, if pre-paid within 7 days of the event

Why not join today?

Membership Information:

Tastour’s Bon Vivant membership is a fast track to becoming one of the Capital’s arbiters of taste.

As a Bon Vivant Member, you are entitled to:

– Attend ALL monthly social drinks and miniTASTINGS for FREE (worth £300)

– Receive exclusive invites to ‘members only’ events and social gatherings

– Save up to 70% off pay-as-you-go events. A total savings of over £500 per year!

– Meet and mingle regularly with other members at exclusive events in and around London

Cooking Easy Curries – Get Clever with Spices

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Sunday February 26, 2012 at 10:15

Map and Directions

Ever wondered what it is that makes an Indian curry taste so good? Well let us share the simple secrets! Fool your friends into thinking you’ve spent hours in the kitchen with a these simple tips from our multi award-winning curry expert – Monisha. You’ll be taken on a leisurely, guided stroll through the shops to learn where all the best places for buying only the finest ingredients for your curry. You’ll also learn all of the coveted cooking techniques used by this leading expert and food writer on Indian cookery. By the end of this 3 hour cookery class, not only will you be able to enjoy a fantastic, freshly prepared meal, but you’ll be equipped with the necessary skills to prepare a range of deliciously easy curries in the comfort of your own home.

Time:

10:30 -13:30

Meet at 10:15 for a 10:30 departure

Location:

Ealing West London, Piccadilly Line and trains from Paddington (location will be sent to paid attendees)

Dress:

Comfortable walking shoes, a penny/apron

Dress: Smart casual: comfortable walking shoes

About the Instructor:

Monisha has been recognized by the Guild of Food Writers & Cordon Bleu World Food Media Awards, to name just a few.

Online Booking is required: www.tastour.com

For all Tastour award-winning events, pre-booking early on www.tastour.com is advised due to high demand.

Group discount: Purchase 5 tickets get 1 free (emailinfo@tastour.co.uk for details)

What’s included:

Hands-on cookery Instruction by the multi-award-winning Monisha, as well as a delicious curry meal

Non Members

£80 secures your spot, if pre-paid on-line 1 week prior to the event

£85 is the standard price, if pre-paid within 7 days of the event

Bon Vivant Members

Only £75, if pre-paid on-line 1 week prior to the event

£80 is the standard price for members, if pre-paid within 7 days of the event

So, why not join today?

Membership Information:

Tastour’s Bon Vivant membership is a fast track to becoming one of the Capital’s arbiters of taste.

As a Bon Vivant Member, you are entitled to:

– Attend ALL monthly social drinks and miniTASTINGS for FREE (worth £300)

– Receive exclusive invites to ‘members only’ events and social gatherings

– Save up to 70% off pay-as-you-go events. A total savings of over £500 per year!

– Meet and mingle regularly with other members at exclusive events in and around London