Dickens punch tour

Dickens punch tour

The fog malingering over London in the last few weeks has given the city a Dickensian feel. The pea soupers shrouding St Pauls and masking our skyscrapers make the skyline look positively Victorian.

What better time then, for a Dickens walking tour? Especially one that involves punch. Strong punch. The Courvoisier Dickens Punch Tour is an hour-long ramble around Dickens' Covent Garden and Holborn haunts, starting at Bow Street Magistrates Court and winding up at The Old Curiosity Shop. Along the way, you'll learn a raft of Dickens facts (keep them up your sleeve for pub quizzes) and be 'surprised' by characters from his books making appearances.

One of these characters, a well known fellow from A Christmas Carol, will lead you to The Old Curiosity Shop where, after watching an enthusiastic, if rather hammy, two-man play you'll get the chance to help make a version of one of Dickens' favourite punches, the Smoking Bishop. The punch is referenced in A Christmas Carol, when Scrooge says to Bob Cratchit: 'We will discuss your affairs this very afternoon over a bowl of Smoking Bishop, Bob.' The version we tried was laced with Courvoisier, as Dickens kept a secret stash of the French cognac, but in Victorian times Smoking Bishop was also commonly made with port, along with red wine and all those lovely festive things: oranges, lemons, cinnamon, allspice and mace.

Charles could clearly handle the strong stuff; after one teacup of the delicious Smoking Bishop I felt the tale-tell glow of the already-tipsy. I'm going to make the Bishop for a Christmas party, so look out for the recipe on Pinch of Salt soon.


The Courvoisier Dickens Punch Tour runs from now until December 3rd, Weds-Sat at 6pm or 7.30pm. Tickets cost £12. For more info, click here.

Brixton Village

Brixton Village, photo copyright Nic0 on Flickr

Brixton Village is currently my favourite place to eat out in London Town. I've written a piece about this once-derelict 1930s covered arcade turned food-playground for Futurespace magazine, including issues raised by the recent rent hikes. Skip over to Futurespace to have a read.

Are you a fan of Brixton Market? Do you have a favourite place to eat there? Let me know in the comments below.

Friday Find: Trooping the Colour espresso set

Trooping the Colour espresso set

I'm a sucker for vintage Londonalia, but do try to exercise restraint - there's a fine line between scattering a few retro items around your house and turning it into the London Transport Museum gift shop. But I'm finding this Trooping the Colour espresso set hard to resist.

The set was designed by designspark for Bliss Home with permission from Transport for London. The saucers feature designs from four vintage London Transport posters, all by different artists, while the porcelain espresso cups are emblazoned with the dates of Trooping the Colour ceremonies past. Oh what the heck, my kitchen can handle a little more London love.

Trooping the Colour espresso set

The Trooping the Colour espresso set is available from John Lewis, TFL, and the excellent London Transport Museum gift shop, priced around £32.