Victorian London in Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

Oliver Twist is a novel all about the gritty realism of everyday life in London.

Many of Dickens’ contemporary critics and reading public feared that novels could be too realistic, and that naïve readers (often female readers) wouldn't be able to tell the difference between fiction and reality. Especially for a novel like Oliver Twist, which is about "dangerous" subjects like poverty, crime, and the relationship between the two.

Please sir, I want some more

London is repeatedly described as a labyrinth or a maze – once you get into it, it’s hard to get back out. The city itself serves as a kind of prison. It’s filthy, foggy, and crime-ridden, and things aren't always what they seem.

Oliver is on his own from the start. No one pities him, and even though he’s supposed to be looked after by the parish authorities, no one takes care of him. He’s sent from one scene of cruelty and oppression to the next, and finally plucks up the courage to stick up for himself (first by asking for more food, then by hitting Noah in the face, and finally by running away). So, by the end of this stage, Oliver is completely on his own in the big bad world.

The Dodger tells Oliver he can come with him to a place where a gentleman will give him a place to sleep and food, for no rent. Oliver follows, and this is where our story begins…. Follow the Footsteps of Oliver Twist - a London Guided Tour


"The image of little Oliver Twist victimised by poverty, almost seduced by the specious excitement of crime, and then offered the possibility of a lucrative career in authorship is always compelling" Guardian



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Take a look at Cannon Brewery, St John Street, London

Cannon Brewery - 148-176 St John Street, London

Cannon Brewery originated with brew house attached to the Unicorn Inn. 

In the C19th Cannon Brewery was one of the busiest breweries in the country. 

St John Street Entrance

Beer is made from four basic ingredients: Barley, water, hops and yeast. The basic idea is to extract the sugars from grains (usually barley) so that the yeast can turn it into alcohol and CO2, creating beer. You can see the hops and barley carved into the capitals decorating the main door.

1764 (George III) the brewery was acquired by Dickensons. The additional money and know-how caused the Brewery to expand and was renamed St John of Jerusalem. In 1818 retirement and bankruptcy brought the Dickensons brewery to an end and the building was sold at action.

Cannon Brewery Office Building

The building was seriously damaged during the Blitz but the brewery resumes production after the war but closed in 1955. Remarkable oak doors from 1894 survived.

The oldest surviving part of the building is the former Brewery Yard Offices behind the old main entrance 1874-5 which include a large bracket clock. Carved barley and hope decorate the capitals of the doorway, the theme continues inside with coloured mosaic floor tiles of mostly brown and gold. 

Floor tiles, Cannon Brewery Office

This lovely building is now the London headquarters of the architects BDP (Building Design Partnership).

If you like this post you will like our 'Out Street - One Thousand Years guided walk


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