Discover Chennai through British buildings

Discover Chennai through British Buildings

British Architecture Walk in Chennai

Rs2000onwards

This British Architecture Walk in Chennai tells the story of Chennai told through its British buildings built during the last 2 centuries.

Blend of Victorian Gothic & Indo-Saracenic

British Architecture Walk in Chennai focuses on many great monuments which were built during the British rule in an architectural style blending British as well as Indian elements. The Walk covers Central Railway Station, Rippon Building, Southern Railway Headquarters, Victory Memorial, Fort St George, Napier Bridge and University of Madras. Includes a visit to St Mary's Church, the oldes Anglican Church east of the Suez.

Rippon building, British architecture walk — Ripon building

Buildings tell the best story of a city

Chennai was an important power centre during the British rule in India. Listen to the Chennai story through the buildings built in that period.

Cultural evangelist

This British Architecture Walk in Chennai is led by a cultural evangelist who will explain the history of these buildings as well as the fate of their masters.

Harmonious blend of styles

British Architecture Walk in Chennai will make you appreciate the harmony in blending of Victorian Gothic, Indo-Saracenic and Byzantine styles of architecture.

Does this British Architecture Walk in Chennai sound like fun?

Book Tour

5+ Persons

Rs2000/person

Guide
Coffee
Entrance Charges

BOOK THIS TOUR

2-4 Persons

Rs2250/person

Guide
Coffee
Entrance Charges

BOOK THIS TOUR

Single Person

Rs3000/person

Guide
Coffee
Entrance Charges

BOOK THIS TOUR

8AM/4PM - Egmore Railway Station

Meet us at ticket counter at the main entrance of Egmore Railway station. The Egmore railway station is one of the earliest buildings built in Indo-Saracenic style. Designed by the legendary Henry Irwin to be larger than Charring Cross station of London, the Station was built by Samynatha Pillai.

MGR Central Station

The Central Railway Station was built in 1873 in Gothic Revival style by British architect George Harding. It was modified by Robert Chisholm who added the central clock tower and Travancore caps on the main towers.

Rippon Building

Named after Lord Ripon, a Governor-General of British India, today this building is the office of Mayor of Chennai.

Victoria Hall

Victoria Public Hall was opened to the public in 1887 to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. The hall was designed by British architect Robert Chisholm and it is an excellent example of Indo-Saracenic architecture.

Southern Railway HQ

The Southern Railway headquarters was one of the earliest buildings in India to be built with reinforced concrete.

Victory Memorial

Next in British Architecture Walk in Chennai, we visit The Victory War Memorial, formerly called the Cupid’s bow, a memorial constructed to commemorate the victory of the Allied Armies during World War I

Napier Bridge

Napier Bridge was built in 1869 across the Coovum river and is named after the British governor of Fort St George, Francis Napier. It connects the Marina to the Fort St George and is used by the media to represent the city.

1045AM/645PM- Madras University

The Senate House is the administrative center of the University of Madras. We part ways after appreciating this Indo Saracenic beauty.

December 2023

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

“We were a group of friends who took this walk in Chennai during a vsiit. Vijay was an incredible guide. He told us interesting stories about every building starting from the arrival of officials of East India Company to the City, till their departure after Indian independence! This a is a great way to learn about Chennai, its origins and the evolution of this erstwhile fishing village to the mega metropolis today. ”

John Deakins

Accountant

“This walk turned out to be a lovely outing for us both. We had already been to the prominent monuments and were looking for a authentic city walk that can tell us the real story of this city. Vijay was the perfect guide and he really helped us get a perspective of the British influence on this traditional society and how the people of Chennai imbibed the best of both worlds. You will get to listen to the story behind every prominent building in the itinerary. There is a fair amount of walking involved, but it is worth it”

Pamela Simmons

Architect

Join our Marina Beach Walk

Walk on the Marina Beach, sip in the festivity and learn the legacy of the City through its statues. Experience the city’s beliefs at Parthasarthy Temple. Learn about Swamy Vivekananda, one of the greatest Philosophers who took Indian Philosophy to the West. Climb an old Light House for an incredible aerial perspective of Chennai!

Join our Gods of Mylapore Walk

Trace back Mylapore’s history to Roman Times when it used to trade pepper and fine cloth with Rome for Gold! Visit 7th century Kapaleeshwar temple. Revisit Marco Polo’s dairy about St Thomas at his Basilica. Learn about revolutionary philosopher saint , Ramakrishna, at his universal temple.

Rock cut Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram Tour from Chennai takes us to the 8th century world heritage site famous for spectacular rock cut architecture. The experience comprises spell binding Pancha Rathas or Chariots carved in stone, Asia’s largest bas-relief structure at Arjuna’s Penance, a gravity defying boulder and the magnificent Shore Temple, which was one of the 7 Pagodas as mentioned by Marco Polo during his visit in the 11th Century.

Great living Chola Temples

The Great Living Chola temples trail takes us to 3 capitals of the ancient and mighty Chola Empire which was a major maritime power controlling vast parts of South East Asia in the 10-12th centuries. We will relive the glory days of life under the Chola Empire at the world heritage sites of Brihadeswar Temple in Tanjore, Airateswar Temple in Darasuram and the temple in Gangaikonda Cholapuram.

Discover Chennai through British buildings

Discover Chennai through British Buildings

Blend of Victorian Gothic & Indo-Saracenic

Buildings tell the best story of a city

Cultural evangelist

Harmonious blend of styles

Pricing Chart

Itinerary

Book Today

Join our Marina Beach Walk

Join our Gods of Mylapore Walk

Rock cut Mahabalipuram

Great living Chola Temples

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply