Country mouse on a pleasant tour of London
Mark finds himself emerging much better informed from a charming guided walk around London


Meet me by the Churchill and Roosevelt statue at the end of Bond Street.’ I stand looking for a man in a blazer as the two old leaders sit chuckling on their garden bench. I wonder what they’d think of the mess we’re in now.
A jaunty blazer soon arrives, worn by Nic Wing, founder of Cities in Sound. He’s had the excellent idea to provide either a downloadable guide or a pre-loaded MP3 player for people to take on walks around great cities of the world.
I had, without much difficulty, chosen the London Cuban Cigar Walk and spent the next hour and a half learning more about luxury, London’s history and cigars than I had managed in the previous 40-odd years. As we glided along on a bright May afternoon around some of the most charming streets in London, I discovered gem upon gem and what was hidden behind the nooks and crannies, passed the most valuable tree in Britain, and learnt almost too much about the open sewer that is now Berkeley Square.
The four cigar shops we visited provided ample opportunity to sample Cuban’s finest, and I could have spent all day there, armed with my new knowledge. Quite simply, it was one of the most pleasant and informative afternoons I’ve ever had in London. For details, visit www.citiesinsound.com
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
-
A wisteria-clad delight with lawns running down to the Thames at the prettiest riverside home for sale in London today
Deodar Road, near Putney High Street, offers unrivalled views of the Thames and is characterful in excess.
-
Britain's prettiest cheese-themed spot: Country Life Quiz of the Day, June 24, 2025
Tuesday's quiz feels the heat, and pits St Francis of Assisi against William Shakespeare.