This is a guest favourite tour – more of a laid back, informal walk focused on London’s significant brutalist architecture.

We will walk around London, visit a great number of sites, learn a bit about concrete and its historic and social significance, and spend time admiring them and photographing them at most dramatic angles. Loved by some, loathed by others, the rugged urban fortresses we will be locating are excellent examples of the most influential architectural style of the 60s and the 70’s that changed the landscape of our cities forever..

The discourse about the future of brutalist landmarks is as stern and uncompromising as the very buildings it assesses : The ongoing struggle among local authorities, preservation societies, residents associations and royal patronage, can in some cases result in preserved or repurposed landmarks, but also quite often in their demolition and permanent loss. Perceptions about these strangely alluring monolithic structures has varied though the years, and where once brutalist buildings have been symbols of a futuristic outlook and a modern way of living, they have also gradually become symbols of urban decay and near totalitarian oppression. So what does the future hold for these impressive concrete beasts ?

The tour begins outside Russel Square tube station and ends at the National Theatre just over 2 hours later. I will be waiting just outside Russel Square tube station. Then we’ll visit masterpieces such as The Brunswick Centre, The ECL Institute of Education, and the Royal National Theater – among others. The tour begins at Russel Square Tube station and it ends at Southbank. We may need to hop on the tube once to span longer distances faster and cover more landmarks.

Bring your own camera and an umbrella. In wintertime, make sure you dress warm as we’ll be spending a lot of time outside. The tour usually lasts for 2 hours and 30 minutes

You can see availability and book a walk in our Guided London Walks section. Looking forward to see you !