At the moment of 12 months, there are many alternatives to expertise A Christmas Carol, whether or not on display screen in one among many filmed variations or dwell onstage in productions which have turn into an financial mainstay for regional theaters throughout the nation.
Wander by way of the streets the place Ebenezer Scrooge skulked his technique to and from his counting home. See the place the Cratchits lived in penury, though to be sincere that space of town has been constructed up and gentrified significantly since 1843, as has virtually all of London. Or simply on the whole expertise a Victorian Christmas, surrounded by the environs that prompted Dickens to choose up his pen and encourage generations.
Right here’s our information to 5 important websites for die-hard followers of A Christmas Carol.
This is among the extra mysterious areas in A Christmas Carol. In contrast to different locations within the novella, Dickens by no means explicitly tells us the place Scrooge’s office is, so we’re left to guess based mostly on context clues about “the traditional tower of a church” and “phantom homes” within the fog of a “slender courtroom.”
In the end, all indicators level to Newman’s Court docket, a darkish and slender alleyway off Cornhill within the part of London generally known as “The Metropolis,” which has lengthy been the monetary heart of London. Newman’s Court docket definitely seems to be prefer it may have been a spot of miserly distress within the Victorian period. It’s not essentially the most festive of locales, however don’t fear. We’re simply setting the scene for issues to come back.
That is one other location that historians can’t fairly pinpoint with accuracy. Any bachelor pads which may have existed within the Metropolis again within the day have lengthy been changed with fashionable London workplace buildings.
When in search of Scrooge’s residence, nonetheless, two prospects emerge. One is Lime Road, a spot positioned close to Leadenhall Market the place the newly reformed Scrooge goes purchasing for Christmas presents after being visited by the ghosts. One other is Brabant Court docket, an out-of-the-way yard that’s described as a lonely and forgotten place however nonetheless exhibits a spark of pleasure: Bob Cratchit goes sliding across the ice in Brabant on Christmas Eve.
Both approach, if you wish to have a look at a few of these buildings this December and picture Scrooge going “bah humbug” inside them, these are the areas to take a look at.
If the story and plight of Tiny Tim is sufficient to deliver a tear to your eye, then Camden City is the vacation spot for you. Bayhem Road may be very probably the place Bob Cratchit would have lived, surrounded by his humble and loving household. They lived on simply 15 shillings per week earlier than Scrooge gave up his stingy methods and have become a greater boss.
Curiously, Charles Dickens himself lived on Bayham Road in his youth, which might be why he was capable of give such detailed descriptions of the realm. You may even discover a brick constructing with a commemorative plaque saying “Charles Dickens lived right here.” Good for these A Christmas Carol selfies!
Probably the greatest components of A Christmas Carol is when ole Ebenezer has his change of coronary heart. To rejoice, he buys a turkey for the Cratchits. Drumsticks for everyone!
Leadenhall Market is the place you possibly can stroll within the footsteps of the joyous, newly beneficiant Scrooge. The market is appropriately festive, and intensely properly preserved, so that you’ll have your decide of eating, buying, and different leisure choices all beneath glowing vacation lights. The market may also function an important jumping-off level for additional journey in London. Because it’s centrally positioned, it might function a touchstone as you go exploring close by sights, such because the Tower of London, London Bridge, and the Tate Trendy.
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You gained’t discover a actual headstone for Scrooge since he’s, in spite of everything, a fictional character, however you possibly can definitely stroll across the graveyard at St. Peter’s-upon-Cornhill Church, which may be very probably the place Dickens had in thoughts when he wrote the scene by which the Ghost of Christmas But-to-Come compelled Scrooge to look upon his personal headstone. St. Peter’s is an impressively towering church to this present day, boasting a neoclassic model that’s withstood the take a look at of time from the Victorian period.
You may acknowledge the title Cornhill from Newman’s Court docket, the location of Scrooge’s counting home. Probably the most horrifying components of Scrooge’s ghostly visions was the thought that he may dwell, work, and die in the identical place, by no means beloved or mourned by anybody due to his miserly methods.
Should you actually wish to get a style for the creepy Victorian graveyards — and, actually, who doesn’t? — you may stroll round London’s different churchyards and cemeteries as properly, lots of which date again centuries.
Have you ever taken your personal tour of Dickensian London? Inform us about it within the feedback under!