Sharing the secrets of the Knowledge Quarter Walks

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The new Knowledge Quarter at the heart of London is the focal point for one of the greatest concentrations of knowledge anywhere in the world. Clustered around King’s Cross, the Euston Road and Bloomsbury, you can find an incredible range of knowledge resources, ranging from the world’s earliest books and manuscripts to the latest fashion and creatives designs and cutting-edge medical research.

On our walks we will pass many of the locations of the Knowledge Quarter partners, learn about their participation and discover the hidden secrets of this fascinating quarter of London. We will discover that knowledge is not confined to institutions and we will hear about the lives of people who have generously shared their knowledge and ideas over the centuries.

Walk 1, Thursday 23rd July, 6 pm “Western Secrets”

Do you know why one knowledge centre was nick-named “the Godless University” and which institution has recently celebrated 150 years of distance learning? Would you like to discover where the government stores its Art Collection and which streets were once the haunt of the rich and famous, shopping for their next luxury motor car? Join us to find out where London cabbies could go for tea and shelter 100 years ago and where a lift has been installed to aid the movement of stuffed elephants. We’ll also see the building which contains the original “Room 101” and where you can see robes of office worn by the Queen Mother.

To book your place on walk 1 click here.

Walk 2, Saturday 25th July, 11 am, “Secrets in the east”

Let us show you where Charles Dickens built a theatre in his garden and where Hans Christian Anderson outstayed his welcome. On this walk we’ll explain how modern dance is benefitting from military drills and how the design of a housing estate spread around Europe. We’ll visit a living wall and discover why there’s a wall of old books in the British Library. Do you know where to find one of London’s ice wells? Or where you can control public fountains from your mobile phone? Join us on our walk and we’ll share these secrets with you! We’ll also show you where The National Olympian Association held the indoor events of the first Olympic Games in 1866 and where the author of Frankenstein was born. All this as well as world-leading scientific research, world-beating art and design and an outdoor self-cleaning swimming pool!

To book your place on walk 2 click here.