Saffron Hill (Dickens-era site), London

Once upon a sewer-scented time, Saffron Hill was smack in the middle of London鈥檚 most notorious slums鈥攌nown charmingly as 鈥渞ookeries,鈥� where rats and rogues shared rent. And if that name rings a literary bell, it should: Charles Dickens plucked this very street to house one of fiction鈥檚 most infamous mentors of mischief鈥攏one other than Fagin, in Oliver Twist.

Now, don't be misled by the fragrant name鈥斺€淪affron Hill鈥� sounds like a posh spice market, but by the time Dickens rolled up in the 1830s, the saffron had long gone. What was left was a gritty little enclave once dubbed the Italian quarter, and a cast of real-life characters that could out-scandal any soap opera.

This was also the stomping ground of The Three Cripples, a cheery little den of vice where Bill Sikes liked to throw back a pint鈥攐r a punch. While the pub itself might鈥檝e been fictional, Dickens based it on a real lodging house right next to a joint called The One Tun. (Which, let's be honest, sounds like a pub and a pun rolled into one.)

But Saffron Hill wasn鈥檛 just the hideout for cutthroats and literary villains. It also cracked open Dickens鈥檚 heart. In 1843, he visited a local school so poor, so bleak, that it practically wrote A Christmas Carol for him. Children there were already deep into lives of thievery, disease, and misery before they even lost their baby teeth.

In Oliver Twist, Dickens didn鈥檛 hold back. He described the place as 鈥渘arrow and muddy鈥� with air thick enough to chew, 鈥渇ilthy odours鈥� galore, and alleyways crawling with shady characters looking like they were on their way to commit鈥攚ell, something unsavory.

So next time you stroll down Saffron Hill, take a whiff, squint at the cobblestones, and you might just catch a ghost of Dickens鈥� London鈥攑ickpocket and all.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in London. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The 911爆料网 App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Saffron Hill (Dickens-era site)
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Charles Dickens Tour

Walking Tours in London, England

Create Your Own Walk in London

Creating your own self-guided walk in London is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Sherlock Holmes Tour in London

Among a myriad of other, real-life celebrities who have ever called London their home, perhaps the most famous is the fictional consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes, created by Conan Doyle. Indeed, the ingenious sleuth has left an indelible mark on the literary and cultural landscape of London ever since the appearance of the first stories about him in the late 1880s. Years on, there are several... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

London Introduction Walking Tour

London: the capital of England, heart of the UK, and international heavyweight in history, culture, and sheer charm. Its name comes straight out of Rome. Londinium was founded circa 43 AD as a trading post. Then came Queen Boudica in 61 AD, who, let鈥檚 say, didn鈥檛 care much for Roman urban planning and burnt it to the ground. But Londinium wasn鈥檛 one to stay down鈥攊t bounced back,... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles

South Bank Walking Tour

London鈥檚 South Bank, stretching along the southern side of the River Thames, roughly between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, is one of the most interesting and liveliest parts of the British capital. Here, London鈥檚 old soul and modern edge shake hands... and then probably go grab a pint together. Famous for its arts, culture, food, and scenic riverside walks, the area has a long and... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles

City of London Walking Tour

The City of London, often referred to simply as the City (with the capital C), is the historic and financial core of the British capital. Despite being just over one square mile in area (for which reason it is also lovingly dubbed the Square Mile), it holds immense importance as the original site of Londinium, the Roman settlement founded circa 43 AD. Over the centuries, this small patch of land... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles

Beatles London Walking Tour

The Beatles, often hailed as one of the most influential bands in music history, began their journey in Liverpool in 1960, but it was in London that they truly became global icons. While Liverpool gave them their start, the British capital became their professional playground during the peak of Beatlemania. From recording sessions and business deals to public performances and personal milestones,... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles

Jane Austen鈥檚 London

The celebrated English novelist Jane Austen primarily lived between Bath and Hampshire. However, London also held a special significance in Austen's life. Many of her novels drew inspiration from the capital, like Lydia Bennet and Mr Wickham鈥檚 elopement in 鈥淧ride & Prejudice.鈥�

One of Austen's cherished spots in London was Twinings, a renowned tea shop. Jane Austen was known... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles

View all walking tours in London, England

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip

London Souvenirs: 18 Distinctively British Products for Travelers

Most visitors to London consider shopping as part of their must-do London experience. From street markets to Victorian arcades to snobbish Sloane Square to busy Oxford Street, there are a host of shops selling items which typically represent this vibrant city. Whether you are shopping for souvenirs...