The Night Soil Man's Tour - Family Edition

Family Guided Tour 

Tuesday 11th April 2023 at:

10am, 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm.  

£10 per person*

*We know that families come in all different shapes and sizes, so rather than have grown-up prices and kid costs, we simply charge a blanket fee per person, to help make the cost for your whole family more affordable. We do ask that, for this family edition of the tour, there be at least one grown-up and at least one child in your group. 

Perfect for ages 10+

Book your tickets here.

For more information please email events@dickensmuseum.com or telephone 020 7405 2127

The tour will begin promptly, so please make sure you are on site on time. We cannot guarantee that latecomers will be able to join the tour. 

Please note: All special events are non-refundable. 

This is the family edition of the Night Soil Man's Tour. If there are no children in your group, you may wish to book onto the Night Soil Man's Tour (Evening Edition). 

“A dirtier or more wretched place he had never seen…”

The London of Charles Dickens was a filthy place. Clouds of nasty-tasting smoke wafted down from the chimneys, meat bones and gristle were thrown into the Thames, and open sewers and cesspits overflowed with poo, before being emptied by the Night Soil Men, armed with their trusty spades.

Join the Doughty Street Night Soil Man for a tour with a twist, as you uncover the ‘great and dirty city’ which was Victorian London. While exploring the historic London home of Charles Dickens, you’ll uncover the filthy secrets of the Victorian home. Find out what could stick to your clothes if you took a stroll down the street. Discover the terrible problems which were caused by the flushing toilet. Uncover the ways the Victorians battled against the London fogs to clean their laundry. This wonderful new tour is horrifying and hilarious in equal measure, bringing you all the history your school teachers are too polite to tell you, such as how the Victorians went to the loo, how your living room fires could kill you, and what nasty ailments could be caused by the stinking London air?

This is a wonderfully weird family tour, designed for kids and grown-ups who love to hear about the yucky side of history. Best of all, this tour includes the use of 'scent blocks' so you will be able to smell the history you are hearing about. Prepare to discover the real Dickensian London.

Suitable for everyone over 10, this gorgeously gross guided tour is fun for all the family.

Not visiting with kids? We also run an evening version of the Night Soil Men Tour, you can find out more here.