Cool Walks

Changing Walworth: Charlie Chaplin's London

Tuesday 27 September 6-8pm Nearest Transport Elephant & Castle Station/Tube

CoolWalks free guided walk explores Walworth's changing landscape through the lens of Charlie Chaplins’ extraordinary childhood. The walk navigates the streets round Elephant delving into the hidden childhood stories of South London’s greatest Cinema star. Beginning with the birth of cinema we follow Charlie Chaplin before he transformed himself into the little Tramp with the swinging cane; tramping carefully through the streets of SE17 we encounter Chaplin in East Street market, in the back streets and at London’s unique Cinema Museum, housed now in Lambeth’s old poorhouse, where he and his family were committed in the 1890’s. Then the walk detours off the Walworth Road to follow in the footsteps of his music hall family.

In its heyday the area had nearly fifty music halls presenting all manner of acts. But as Charlie grew the golden age of music-hall faded, metamorphosing into the new-fangled picture houses; as films superseded live acts. Exploring little tramps origins, his rise from rags to riches, this walk traces and recreates something of the up and down fortunes of South London’s Piccadilly Circus.

Meet at Elephant & Castle train station at the exit onto Elephant Road at 6pm or if you are early or want to visit the Newington Temporary Library turn right along Elephant Road and visit Elephant ArtWorks containers.

Walk starts at 6pm and will finish before 8pm back at Elephant and Castle.

The walk is approximately 2 1/2 miles and is suitable for all walkers.  We would ask participants to bring a bottle of water, wear sensible walking footwear. If you have any queries or would like any further information, please check: coolwalksblog.blogspot.co.uk or contact Charlie on 020 7701 2696, or via email coolwalksinfo@gmail.com or tweet @CoolWalks.