Free tour

HG Wells Time Traveller's Tour

5.00

Excellent(1)

London

Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes

Languages: English

Guru: David

Registered on 20 May 2025

I'm an accredited guide with the Lambeth Tour Guides Association, specialising in guided walks with literary and popular culture themes, TV, Cinema and Music. I am also a published author in the SciFi, Fantasy and Horror genres.

Free reservation and cancellation

Pay-what-you-want tour, no set price, reservation and cancellation are free

Tour description

Step inside my Time Machine come with me on a walking tour which travels back and forth to late Victorian and Edwardian London and the pre and post war eras of WW1, exploring the the life and works of the father of modern science fiction, HG Wells. Hear about what inspired him and his influences on others, his love affairs and many controversies. Visit his favourite restaurant, the publisher who serialised 'The First Men in the Moon' and find out about the very real local locations that feature in 'The War of the Worlds'.

Along the way you will discover Wells' connections to other literary figures of the era, his controversial political views, his friendships with historical icons such as Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplin, as well as his pioneering charity work for fellow diabetes sufferers. Hear about his influence on film makers, classic television shows, and graphic novelists. And discover why one of his works of non fiction sparked a huge protest march from London's East End to the Indian High Commission on Aldwych

Tour starts from Charing Cross station. We will make our way along the Strand to the Lyceum theatre. Then across Waterloo Bridge to the Southbank to explore Wells' connection south of the Thames, ending at Waterloo Station where the narrator's journey in 'The War of the Worlds' also ends. I am setting the dial and pulling the levers on the Time Machine. Don't miss my departure book now to join me on this fascinating journey through time.

Highlights

What will we see on this tour?

Meeting point:

Strand, London WC2N 5HX, UK

I will be at the front of the Clermont Hotel located at Charing Cross mainline station. I will be wearing my Lambeth Tour Guide Association badge on a lanyard and a black tee shirt depicting an astronaut.

Outside visit

Strand

The Strand played a key role in HG Wells publishing history. We will visit several locations passing along this street. The Fabian Society of which he was a member published a number of his key non fiction works on poverty and equality such as the 'The Misery of Boots'. The Strand Magazine was first to serialise his novel 'First Men in the Moon' along with other works. Wells' literary agent who placed many of his early work had offices in the Strand.

Outside visit

The Savoy Hotel

The Savoy Hotel was used as a location in the 1921 silent movie adaptation of Wells' 1905 novel 'Kipps'. Wells himself attended the filming sessions here. Later he would be guest of honour at one of the literary dinner held by Winston Churchill at the Savoy.

Outside visit

Lyceum Theatre

Wellington Street appears twice in HG Wells classic 1898 novel (The War of the Worlds). A year earlier Bram Stoker was working as theatrical manager at the Lyceum Theatre when he published his own classic 'Dracula'. Stoker and Wells are the main character of a modern graphic novel series in which they work together, travelling through time to solve crimes.

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end the amount they consider appropriate (amounts usually range from €15 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).