But our very idea of a traditional Christmas, with holly and ivy, carols and feasting on ham and turkey somehow lends itself to the architecture and ‘feel’ of old London. We can easily be transported back to Christmasses of yore down cobbled streets, church bells ringing in our ears. Which is why, when I was invited to go along to Courvoisier’s Dickensian Tour last Thursday I wrapped up and got ready to meet the Ghost of Christmas Past.

We convened at the London Cocktail Club in Covent Garden, where we were greeted by the very enthusiastic Mark Prescott, who put together the tour and was our guide. He informed us that Dickens was a Courvoisier drinker ( who knew?) and, to celebrate this little-known fact, we were given a punch inspired by one of Dickens’ own recipes: Courvoiser, limes, ginger beer and apple juice.

The tour then got under way, with our erstwhile group keeping a brisk pace through the throng of cheery evening crowds. Our first stop was Rules, the oldest restaurant in London and well-known by Dickens. I felt a bit like Oliver Twist, face pressed up to the glass whilst the gentlefolk ate inside, but, no matter. Next up was a coffee house where Dickens put together his ‘All Year Round’ publication; St Clement Danes Church; St. Dunstan’s – which has the bell that awakens Scrooge in A Christmas Carol -  The Olde Curiosity Shop ( the one that purports to be the inspiration for the novel of the same name, anyway ) and our final stop, Bow Street Magistrates Court, which held the likes of Oliver Twist and The Artful Dodger. It no longer has any ties with the law, and rumour has it that the building will be turned into a boutique hotel.

Then it was back to the cocktail club for a steaming mug of Smoking Bishop.  This punch is taken from the final scene in A Christmas Carol when Scrooge promises to help Bob with his finances – a mixture of Courvoisier, ruby grapefruit, seville oranges, spiced red wine and port. Just hit the spot.

This tour was fun, inspiring, not too long and a wonderful way to connect with the city and feel all Christmassy. And I learnt lots of interesting Dickens facts.

Guided walks are very popular in London town, but I must admit that this was my first. And if it was any indication of the standard then I’ll definitely invest in a pair of sturdy shoes and hit the cobbles.

Courvoisier Dickens Tour , until 19th December. Nightly tours during the week are at 7pm and at the weekend there are three slots daily at 2pm, 3.30pm and 5pm. Tickets cost £10 and include punch and a guided walk. Wrap up! To book tickets follow this link http://courvoisierdickens.eventbrite.com
Or to find out more about Courvosier’s punches go to their site here: http://summerofpunch.com/

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About the author

Loma-Ann Marks
Loma was a performer and freelance writer before becoming a journalist on the Daily Star Sunday, Daily Star and Express. She's the Founder and Editor of Culture Compass. North, South, East or West? I'll go anywhere. I like to think that I'm a pretty good map reader ( not everyone would agree ) but then I remind them that I navigated my way around the Paris one-way system with NO mistakes. High Class or Common or Garden? High class in the garden. Clothes or Culture? Culture in new clothes. My best night out ever made me feel....... That things would never be the same again. And they surely weren't the following day.

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