Guided Walk: "Woody" the Story of London's Most Famous Tree

Event Information

Description
In a medieval cemetery, on the corner of Wood Street in the City of London, stands a plane tree affectionately known by locals as ‘Woody’. Thought to have been planted in 1821, this tree has been rooted in the churchyard for over two centuries and stands as one of the oldest trees within the old city walls.

Woody’s canopy shades one of the most historic corners of the square mile, its roots running deep into London’s past. Loved by local office workers — and even once featured on a postcard — Woody has survived through centuries of adversity including pollution, redevelopment, and the Blitz.

Event Details
This two-hour guided walk is led by City of London guide Frank Kevin Molloy and explores Woody’s rich history and its enduring relationship with the city around it.
The walk starts and ends at St Paul’s LU station.

Contributors

Frank K Molloy

Your London Walks is operated by Frank Molloy, author of the book Soul City Wandering.

A self-professed ‘flâneur’, his secret passion is London’s ‘psycho-geo-poetic’ nature. His book on the subject, Soul City Wondering, was published in 2020. He was a guest contributor at the 2020 World Psychogeography Congress. His material has been published or exhibited as part of the official National Poetry Day 2017 and 2020 events programme, the Kensington & Chelsea Arts Festival 2020, and Glasgow University’s WalkCreate Exhibition 2021.

Location of event

Location: St Paul's London Underground Station, Cheapside London EC1, Main exit, next to the Co-op store.