Walking in Turner’s Footsteps!
Be transported back into the racy world of Covent Garden in the late 18th Century, as we trace the humble beginnings of J.M.W. Turner, from precocious son of a Barber and wigmaker, to rising star of the Royal Academy, and innovative maverick of the art world.
Tuesday May 6th - 10:45am
Be transported back into the racy world of Covent Garden in the late 18th Century, as we trace the humble beginnings of J.M.W. Turner, from precocious son of a Barber and wigmaker, to rising star of the Royal Academy, and innovative maverick of the art world. Along the way, we’ll be looking at the circumstances of some of his best-loved paintings in the context of the epic sweep of his life; a Georgian King descending into madness, Revolution abroad and the impact on life and travel of a long-running War with France, Emperors crowned and deposed, the Industrial Revolution and the Romantic movement. We’ll be visiting the premises of some of the great 18th and 19th Institutions where he made his name and marked his legacy, as well as conjuring up some of the seedier aspects of life in this area at that time!
Book by contacting Rachel at rachelanthony3@hotmail.com
The Westminster Guides ( the CWGLA – City of Westminster Guide Lecturers Association), are the official walking tour guides in the borough of Westminster. Westminster Guides are proud to support London Walking Festival 2025.
They can be recognised by their distinctive badge Visit their website: https://westminsterguides.org.
Follow them on: Instagram @westminsterguides, Twitter/X @WminsterGuides, and Facebook @westminsterguides
About festival week events
We will be hosting a run of festival weeks and events curated by our partners big and small. Each week will see workshops, talks, walks, and cultural activities taking place in and around our pop-up Visitors Centre at 80 Mortimer Street.
For an up to date list of Festival weeks, please visit: nationalparkcity.london/events
Contact Louis Rutherford on louis.rutherford@nationalparkcity.org for more details on each Festival Week or if you would like to discuss hosting your own event.
more walking festival events
A Weekend of Wildness on Screen: London Nature Films Festival
What made this festival so special wasn’t just the storytelling — it was the gathering. Filmmakers, campaigners, walkers, foragers, gardeners, policy-shapers and pavement-crack gazers all under one roof, sipping foraged tea and vegan curry, sharing questions and possibilities.
Festival Week: London Climate Action Week
Dates: 21st – 29th June
One of the world’s largest independent climate-change events.
Festival Week: Grow Urban Festival
Dates: 7th – 15th June
The grassroots festival promoting greening and growing across London.
Festival Week: Repair Week
Dates: 3rd – 9th March
The collaborative repair and reuse festival helping divert your pre-loved items from landfill.
Festival Week: Happier Outdoors
Dates: 7th – 16th April
10 days of nature, health and happiness in Greater London – back for a second year!
