
About the Tour
Take in the sites of this historic city on a walk across the iconic Peace Bridge to Waterside, on the east bank of the River Foyle. We’ll hear about the military past of the area around Ebrington Square, and then continue on through the beautiful grounds of St Columb's Park. We’ll end the tour by making our way to the old railway station through the area of my childhood home in Bonds Street.
On this walking tour, you’ll see and hear about:
• The city's saint, St Columba who established his monastery here in 542 AD. (St Columba is also sometimes called St Colmcille.)
• The city's oldest building, St Brecan's Church, which is in the grounds of the beautiful St Columb's Park
• The Siege of Derry that took place near Stronge's Orchard in 1688 and 1699
• The military and naval barracks at Ebrington
• The city's role in the second world war and the Battle of the Atlantic from 1939 to 1945
• The iconic Peace Bridge and other bridges in the city
• The working class area of Bonds Street and the churches in the area
• The railways in the city, both old and new
• The ongoing development of Ebrington Square
• The modern sculpture of the Peace Tree
Join me as we take a wander around the squares, streets and parks of the Waterside, and see the wider city of Derry/Londonderry.
Tour Producer

David Douglas
Major Landmarks
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Guildhall
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Peace Bridge
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International Sailor
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Ledwidge Blue Plaque
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Ebrington Square
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Maiden City Brewery
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Peace Tree
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St Columb's Park
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Bonds Street Murals
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Russian Cannon
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Old Railway Station
Directions to Starting Point
The start place for the tour is the Visit Derry Visitor Information Centre on Waterloo Place.
The easiest way to find the starting place is to go to the major landmark of the Guildhall, which is close by and visible from the Peace Bridge and the Bus Station. Keep the Guildhall on your right and the City Walls on your left, and walk through Shipquay Place to Waterloo Place. The Visitor Information Centre is a modern tower building on your left just past the end of the Walls (Cowards Bastion/Magazine Gate) and is opposite the Northern Counties Building on your right.
Tips
Places to stop along the way
The Guildhall, The Peace Bridge, Ebrington Square, Stables Inn, Maiden City Brewery,Peace Tree, St Columbs Park House, Foyle Arena, Bond Street Murals, Russian Cannon, Old Railway Station.
Best time of day
The tour is best done during daylight hours as the entrance/exit of St Columb's Park is locked in the evenings.(Winter approx 6pm, Summer approx 9pm.)
Precautions
Please be careful crossing the roads, and always follow the directions to use traffic crossings as some roads can be very busy. Also in the section around St Columb's Park, pathways can be slippy due to fallen leaves in Autumn and may be icy in the Winter.
This was an excellent tour of the waterside area. David has researched all the sites thoroughly and is really easy to listen to. I would highly recommend this tour.
Some interesting and lesser known history of the city.
Great Tour.Takes me back to my childhood in the city
Great information about lesser explored bits of the city- would recommend!
An interesting tour for visitors and locals alike
An interesting second instalment to your range of tours for the city. I look forward to hearing more in the future.
Great tour