UCL launches free weekly walking tours

UCL, a university that has been in central London for nearly 200 years, now runs free historical tours.

Hour-long public tours take place every Friday afternoon — starting June 24. Student Ambassadors lead visitors to key sites on the Bloomsbury campus, including the columned Wilkins Building, used to portray ancient Rome in the film Gladiator; a bust of Charles Darwin made by a robotic arm; and the university’s lesser-known Japanese garden.

(And before you ask, yes, you’ll also get a chance to say hello to self-icon Jeremy Bentham.)

UCL prides itself on its radical thinking through the ages, and the guides – who have been trained by a Blue Badge tourist guide – will also describe how this university was the first to admit students regardless of religion and opened the higher education for women. on par with men.

According to Richard Ing, a Blue Badge tourist guide, “UCL is the cradle of radical and innovative thought and has produced brilliant scholars, doctors, artists and scientists over its nearly 200 year history. Take a tour of this historic campus opens the door to a fascinating world of academic endeavour.”

Free one-hour tours of UCL take place every Friday from June 24, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Book your slot via the website.