UCL — a university that's been in central London almost 200 years — is now hosting free historical walking tours.
The hour-long public tours take place every Friday afternoon — from 24 June. Student ambassadors lead visitors to key sites on the Bloomsbury campus, including the columned Wilkins Building, used to depict ancient Rome in the movie Gladiator; a Charles Darwin bust crafted by a robotic arm; and the university's lesser-known Japanese garden.
(And before you ask, yes, you'll have a chance to say hello to the auto-icon of Jeremy Bentham, too.)
UCL prides itself on its radical thinking through the ages, and guides — who've been been trained by a Blue Badge Tourist Guide — will also describe how this was the first university to admit students regardless of religion, and opened up higher education to women on equal terms to men.
Says Richard Ing, a Blue Badge Tour Guide, "UCL is the cradle of radical and innovative thinking and has produced brilliant academics, medics, artists and scientists over its near 200 year history. Taking a tour of this historic campus opens the door to a fascinating world of academic endeavour."
Free one-hour tours of UCL run every Friday from 24 June, 12.30pm-1.30pm. Book your slot using the website.
