Spoken Word and Wayward Walks

A new series of thematic

walks led by Germander

around curiosities

and details of London,

interspersed with relevant

spoken word pieces.

Germander Speedwell's Wayward World of Wonder

No. 1: The Trail of the Mercers' Maiden and Golden Grasshopper

Germander leads a walk in the City of London, following the trail of the Mercers' Maidens and Golden Grasshoppers, exploring other recurring curiosities, discovering peculiar passages, and revealing some of the secret signs of the City. No tourist sites, no invisible history - only things that you can actually see, but would normally miss or be mystified by. Starts and ends at Bank.

No. 2: The Trail of the Two-tailed Triton

‘Things fishy and shippy in the City’ - curiosities of maritime and natural history in the City of London - from scallops and swans to teasels and thistles, tritons and other hybrids. Including Lloyds ladies, Vintners' nicks, barge beds and Peek Tea, with references to lost rivers and memorials to sunken ships. Again, no tourist sites, no invisible history - only things that you can actually see, but would normally miss or be mystified by. Begins at Mansion House station, ends at Tower Hill.

Walks held on request or semi-regularly once it's warm enough again!  

Scenes from the inaugural Trail of the Mercers' Maiden,

at which we were joined by the archivist of the Mercers Company, a delegation from the intrepid Southwark Cyclists, and other esteemed and erudite guests:

Left: the requisite neck-craning posture as practised by

walk attendees. (Photo: Nick Sweeney)

Below: the Tallow Chandlers' glorious and curious Arms

(Photo: Nick Sweeney)

Bottom right: the mysterious narrowest door in the City? (photo: Noriko Matsubara)

Bottom left: Barry Mason meets a Mercers Maiden. (photo: Nick Sweeney)