Social Topography of Victorian London, Charles Dickens

Oliver Twist meeting Fagin in Saffron Hill

Dickens exploits a spiritual topography; where the notion of neighbourhoods actively influences the lives and characters of the people who live in them. Victorian society avoided & ignored much of the underclass. Dickens highlighted social issues, using contrasting areas such as Pentonville and Saffron Hill & then forcing together through his characters.


For some areas e.g. Saffron Hill, the Victorian age became an era of neglect and ran unchecked until redevelopments forced the populous to move away and become the London we know today.

Follow the footsteps of Oliver Twist - Guided Walk

Victorian London was a dangerous place especially after dark, with highway men and other scoundrel’s waiting to pounce on anyone crossing their path. 

This 90 min walk follows the footsteps of Oliver Twist and the Artful Dodger on their final leg of their journey into London to reach Fagin’s lair. Find out more about Guided walks in London

Related blog posts:

Victorian London in Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

London Guided Walks website

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