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Online Program

Adventures Online: London, the Story of a City

Program No. 24194RJ

Journey through 2,000 years of history as our experts lead you on a live, online exploration of London! From the Romans to modern day, learn how this city has changed through the ages.

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5 days

Orientation & Introductions, Overview, Early London

From the comfort of your own home.

The Reformation, The Great Fire & Its Legacy

From the comfort of your own home.

The River Thames, The Docks, Victorian London

From the comfort of your own home.

Kensington, Victoria & Albert Museum, Blitz, 2012 Olympics

From the comfort of your own home.

Olympic Park, Immigration, Diversity & the Future

From the comfort of your own home.

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At a Glance

Welcome to London, one of the most fascinating cities in the world! With our experts, trace more than 2,000 years of history during this live, online adventure that introduces you to the cultures and events that have shaped the city. Through online field trips led by your instructor, explore London’s Roman, Saxon and Medieval remains, hear stories of King Henry VIII, learn about London’s Great Fire, trace the influence of Victorian culture and much more. Learn how the River Thames has shaped the industry of the city, and get a sense of modern London during an online field trip to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Throughout your online adventures, you’ll take in insightful lectures and Q&A sessions with your expert instructors and enjoy an opportunity to get to know your fellow Road Scholars.

Best of all, you’ll…

Discover how the River Thames shaped London into the largest port in the world.
Join museum experts for a look into modern London’s cultural offerings and enjoy an online visit to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Meet award-winning expert Ruth Polling, who will share stories of London’s 2,000-year-old history during online walks through some of the city’s most historic neighborhoods.

General Notes

You’ll enjoy 2-3 hours of daily instruction, discussion and/or field trips, which includes sufficient breaks throughout the program. This online program is through Zoom, an easy-to-use web video service that includes closed captioning. All you need is an Internet connection and your computer. We’ll provide a how-to guide to make sure you’ll have a hassle-free experience. This session is offered live only and will not be available on demand. Please review the daily itinerary for start and end times to ensure you won’t miss a minute of this live experience. All times are listed in the EASTERN time zone. If you live in a different time zone, please adjust your schedule accordingly.

Featured Expert

All trip experts

Ruth Polling

Ruth Polling graduated at the top of her class as the London Blue Badge Travel Educator of the Year and has been sharing her knowledge of London with curious travelers for over 10 years. London born and bred, she is energetic and passionate about her city and country and sharing their stories. Ruth graduated from the London School of Economics and previously worked in politics for 11 years, both in the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Ruth Polling View biography

Ruth Polling graduated at the top of her class as the London Blue Badge Travel Educator of the Year and has been sharing her knowledge of London with curious travelers for over 10 years. London born and bred, she is energetic and passionate about her city and country and sharing their stories. Ruth graduated from the London School of Economics and previously worked in politics for 11 years, both in the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

Antony Robbins View biography

Antony Robbins — writer, broadcaster, lecturer — was Director of Communications at the Museum of London as it opened the Galleries of Modern London exhibition. He was in charge of audience development, communications strategy, and the museum’s digital presence for eight years. He spent most of his early career leading PR teams in the world of international relief and development including the Overseas Development Institute, the UK government’s Department for International Development, and CARE International. Antony is a born and bred Londoner.

Anna Warrillow View biography

Anna Warrillow has worked at a number of museums and private art collections, both in the UK and the US, including the National Gallery and six years as a Curator of Sculpture of the Victoria and Albert Museum. She currently works as a freelance art historian and lecturer including at Richmond University, the American International University in London.

Suggested Reading List (10 books)

Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop

You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.

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Adventures Online: London, the Story of a City

Program Number: 24194

The English Reformation,1530-1570

by W. J. Sheils

Good short summary of the English Reformation designed for students.

Greater London: The Story of the Suburbs

by Nick Barratt

Hugely detailed but very readable account of the development of London from the Roman’s one square mile to over 600 square miles today.

A Child of the Jago

by Arthur Morrison

Powerful 19th Century fiction telling the story of a child growing up in the Old Jago – one of the worst slums in 19th Century London.

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/gallery/2014/aug/28/london-maps-a-unique-view-of-the-capital-through-classic-cartography

by

Great collection of maps from 17th to the 20th Centuries which taken together give a good indication of the geography and spread of the city in each century.

London The Biography

by Peter Ackroyd

Ackroyd’s description of London as a body – a living organism whose past continues to affect the lives of its residents. Covering everything from the history of silence, to drink and London childhoods.

Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood with Britain in Its Darkest, Finest Hour

by Lynne Olson

Although focused on three famous Americans who lived and worked in London during World War Two this brilliantly readable account provides great insights into life for ordinary Londoners during the war.

http://blogs.casa.ucl.ac.uk/2014/05/07/london-in-time-a-londons-evolution-animation-3/

by Polly Hudson/Bartlett Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis (UCL)

7 minute animation which shows the development of London by mapping the road network and preserved buildings from each different era of London’s history – fascinating to watch.

The Making of Modern London

by Gavin Weightman and Steve Humphries

History of London from 1815 to the modern day. The overarching narrative is supplemented with personal accounts by Londoners over the past 200 years which bring the story alive.

London: The Illustrated History

by Cathy Ross and John Clark

Great one volume introduction to London’s history from the Thames Valley area before London’s foundation to plans for 2012 Olympic Games. Good for historic images, maps and infographics

London Stories

by Jerry White (Editor)

Collection of 26 stories capturing the essence of London through time. Includes work by Charles Dickens, Arthur Conan Doyle, Muriel Spark and a host of famous and lesser known authors.

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