London History

Below Stairs London: Tracing Victorian Servant Life in Belgravia and MayfairHazel Baker guides listeners through surviving street-level traces of Victorian servant London—area steps and railings, coal-hole covers, bell systems, mews alleys, and service districts—showing how London’s architecture encoded a rigid “upstairs/downstairs” hierarchy and enforced servant invisibility. Using census figures, she explains domestic service as Britain’s largest employer of women, driven by coal soot, class display, and tax incentives against male servants, then outlines household ranks from butler and housekeeper to scullery maid and mews staff. She describes the physical toll of long days, the servant supply chain at Shepherd Market, mews history and later gentrification, and surviving examples including Hyde Park Gardens Mews, Belgravia Mews West’s Star Pub, Bathurst Mews stables, and 18 Stafford Terrace (Sambourne House). She critiques period dramas for softening labor and highlights servants’ documented sexual vulnerability and limited protections.00:00 161: Life Below Stairs00:12 Introduction01:55 The Scale of Servant London14:20 The Architecture of Invisibility17:02 Coal Holes & Bell Systems22:38 The Mews28:50 Shepherd Market33:23 A Day in the Life37:00 Downton Abbey vs. Reality40:04 Sexual Vulnerability & Structural Silence44:47 Why Did Servants Stay?46:32 18 Stafford Terrace48:54 The Dual City51:43 Outro & Related Episodes

Host Hazel Baker and Westminster guide Philip Scott record in Soho Square, tracing its shift from Middlesex countryside and royal hunting ground—where “Soho!” was cried—to a late-1600s development originally called King Square for Charles II, whose weathered statue remains after being moved and later returned. They highlight residents and landmarks, including Mary Seacole’s blue plaque and her Crimean War work after being refused by Florence Nightingale’s nurses: she built the British Hotel, treated soldiers and went to battlefields, later publishing her 1857 autobiography and receiving a benefit concert. They discuss Seacole’s rediscovery from the 1980s and her statue near Parliament, the square’s 1925 mock-Tudor gardener’s hut and tunnel myth, Huguenot immigration and the French-language Protestant church, Theresa Cornelis and Casanova, and trivia about entertainer Danny La Rue, buried near Seacole. The episode ends promoting a Soho walking tour.

London’s Dracula Connections: Victorian Vampires, Penny Dreadfuls & the Lyceum Theatre (World Dracula Day Special)On World Dracula Day (26 May), London History Podcast host Hazel Baker speaks with Lambeth tour guide and Gothic novelist David Turnbull about how a century of Gothic writing and London locations shaped Bram Stoker’s Dracula. They trace early vampire traits through Coleridge’s Christabel, Byron’s circle and the Villa Diodati summer, Polidori’s The Vampyre, and the influence of penny dreadfuls like Varney the Vampire and Lloyd’s publications, before moving to Fleet Street magazines and Sheridan Le Fanu’s Carmilla. The conversation highlights Stoker’s Lyceum Theatre work under Henry Irving, the Beefsteak Room’s literary influences (including Burton and Vambéry), Stoker’s research at the British Museum and London Library, and Dracula’s London settings from Piccadilly and King’s Cross to Hampstead. They discuss Dracula’s slow initial success, rivalry with The Beetle, and its 20th-century rise via Hamilton Deane and Bela Lugosi, ending with Turnbull’s Dracula-influenced novel The Hurdy Gurdy Man and related London tours.00:00 Introduction05:39 The Romantic Poets & Vampire Origins17:17 Penny Dreadfuls & Fleet Street31:57 Dracula's London Locations36:19 Dracula's Rise to FameSee Show Notes

In this captivating podcast episode, Hazel Baker and guest Maggie Coates take listeners on a journey through the hidden gem of Two Temple Place.  Maggie Coates, a Camden tour guide and a volunteer at Two Temple Place, shares insights into its Victorian origins and its owner, William Waldorf Astor. Astor's vision for the building, nestled among larger structures near Middle Temple, reflects both secrecy and security, evident in features such as a basement vault and strong rooms. Listeners gain insight into the meticulous preservation efforts undertaken by successive custodians, ensuring the building's historical fabric remains intact. From its use as an office building to its role as a venue for private functions, weddings, and even filming locations, Two Temple Place continues to enchant visitors with its rich history and architectural grandeur. Listen Now:

As we explore the history of afternoon tea, we will also delve into the story of the tea itself – its journey from the far corners of the globe to the heart of British culture. We will discuss the factors that contributed to its rise in popularity, as well as the various types of tea that have become beloved staples in British households. No afternoon tea would be complete without a delicious assortment of treats, and the Victoria Sponge holds a special place in the hearts of many. We will uncover the origins of this classic cake, named after Queen Victoria, who herself was a known enthusiast of afternoon tea. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast: londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast ⁠⁠Send a voice message

Today we are going to be talking about the area of Shoreditch in the East End of London that forms the southern part of the London Borough of Hackney. Nowadays it's a creative hub with colourful street art, hip pubs and cafes, edgy galleries and popular nightclubs. But it hasn't always been a haven for street artists, the man bun and smashed avocado junkies. So, let's start at the very beginning how Shoreditch got its name.... Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/shoreditch-history/

In this episode, London tour guide Hazel Baker and City of London tour guide Ian McDiarmid talk about leprosy and leper houses in medieval London. Want to know how zombies feature in this episode? Have a listen! Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/leper-houses/

Join tour guides Hazel Baker and Dr Stephen King as they discuss the wonderful history of the area around Borough Market, known as Bankside. In this episode we discuss beer, brewing, trading and also drinking it. Stephen shares some of his favourite historic pubs with links to literary greats such as Shakespeare and Chaucer. Learn how special effects caused The Globe Theatre to burn to the ground, how Borough's marked history begins with the Romans and the highlights of Southwark Cathedral. Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/bankside-history/

London has wonderfully eclectic array of architectural styles. In episode 45, London tour guide Hazel Baker talks to architect and artist Christian Coop about his inspiration for drawing London's buildings and how understanding the history of the building and street helps tell a richer story. Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/drawing-londons-buildings/

For over 200 years, London fog defined our city. It’s brought confusion, suicide, and tragic death, but also reassuring anonymity, romanticize mystery, and an intangible beauty. Joining Hazel in this episode is Dr. Elizabeth Dearnley, editor of the book called Into the London Fog. She will discuss how London fog has inspired writers, filmmakers, and herself. Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/london-fog/

Medieval London was a very different place, with large walled off precincts for friaries. Join Hazel and Ian as they explore what the  friaries were, how they differed monasteries, what Londoners thought of them and what Blackfriars precinct would have been like.  Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/london-medieval-friaries/

Even after 671 years the Black Death has left its mark on London reminding us of the devastation that disease can inflict on communities. With the help of my colleague Ian McDiarmid we are going to investigate London during the Black Death which wiped out half of the population within nine months. We will look at how the Black Death got its name, how it spread, what people thought was causing it and what the authorities did to try and stop it. We will look at how we buried our dead and challenge some of the myths surrounding the Black Death in London.  So, get a cup of tea and join us for a 20 minute delve into London's first plague. Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/black-death-plague/

Bridgerton is the latest Netflix original series produced by Grey's anatomy, Shonda Rhimes. This period drama is based on Julia Quinn's novels set in Regency London. Even if you haven't read the books or even like the idea of a love child of Nanny McPhee and a wedding decorator, the true stars of the series are the filming locations themselves, many of them in London. Hazel shares with you and little bit of the Regency London history from the places mentioned in Bridgerton, either in the books or the latest TV series. Don't worry. You don't have to be familiar with the work at all. Just sit back and let me take you back to Regency London.   Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/bridgerton-regency-london/

We all know Brexit means Brexit... Putting politics aside, what does Brexit mean for the City of London? Join your host Hazel Baker as she speaks with City of London tour guide Ian McDiarmid who tells us more about the history being made today and the effects that will have on the City of London and the UK as a whole.  Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/brexit/

Join Hazel as we are going back to a Christmas before industrialisation, even before the reformation and Puritan rule, before Christmas trees, Christmas crackers and yes, even Santa Claus.  Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/tudor-christmas/

Did you know there are shops in London that are over 300 years old? Join Hazel as she shares her favourite old shops for food and drink. Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality.  Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/london-old-shops-food-drink/

The economic role played by London was became more and more significant for the royal government in Medieval times. They set national standards in aspects of commercial activity as well as for the supplying essential goods such as food and textiles. There are strongly held notions of corporate history among London’s livery companies, where connections with the crown and the monarch feature prominently.  What are guilds and how did the come about? Join London tour guides Hazel Baker and Ian McDiarmid as they discuss medieval guilds.   Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/medieval-guilds/

Join us as we discuss London’s disused underground stations with London Transport Museum’s Siddy Holloway as she shares the hidden London underneath our feet.  Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/abandoned-london-underground-stations/

What do Jamie Oliver, Queen Victoria and harps have in common? Find out on our latest episode where Moira Bonnington talks with Hazel about her investigation into four generations of harp makers in Fitzrovia. Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/fitzrovia-harp-makers/

Have you heard of The Ghost of Cock Lane? Join London Tour Guide, Hazel Baker as she share this rather unusual Georgian ghost story in London History Podcast's Halloween Special Episode. Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/cock-lane-ghost/

London's history has been punctuated by financial crises such as the dot com bubble and the 2008 Crash. But perhaps one of the most famous crisis in London was The South Sea Bubble in 1720. Let's get to the bottom of this early 18th century crises with City of London Tour Guide, Ian McDiarmid and London Tour Guide, Hazel Baker.  Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/south-sea-bubble/

Learn about the varied history behind some of the best of Soho's architecture along with artistic facial features in an ever-changing community. Join Hazel Baker, London Tour Guide, in A Nosey Around Soho.  Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/seven-noses-soho/

"The river Walbrook is the shortest but one of the most important of London's lost rivers. This Roman London water source is now entirely hidden and has largely been forgotten. Join London tour guides Hazel Baker and Ian McDiarmid as they take you back to Londinium, when the Walbrook was more than a street name." Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/walbrook-roman-london/

Did you know about The Havering Hoard? Join Hazel Baker and Ian McDiarmid as they give you the full visitor experience review about the Havering Hoard: A Bronze Age Mystery from the Museum of London, Docklands.  Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/havering-hoard/

What’s in a name? Join London tour guides Hazel Baker and Ian McDiarmid as they discuss the animal-related names of parts of London.  Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/london-animal-area-names/

Join Hazel Baker and Ian McDiarmid as they revisit the story of how The Great Fire of London began and how it shaped the face of the new City of London.  Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/great-fire-london/

Ever wondered how the coffee tasted before in London’s old coffeehouses? Is it similar to Starbucks, Costa Coffee, or Caffe Nero? Join Hazel Baker and Ian McDiarmid in this episode where they talk about all things coffee and its main role in the 17th century. Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/london-coffeehouses/

With the invention of photography, who knew it would revolutionise culture and communication? Images of real life could be captured for prosperity and sent across the world. Portraits of royalty and other celebrities, far more accurate than paintings, allowed members of the public to feel that they were viewing these people in the flesh. In this episode, we are with guest Colin Webb, who helps making history more accessible and telling the stories that we as a culture may have forgotten, and he does this by adding colour to black and white photos. Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/victorian-photographs/

The Proms is a classical music festival held every summer at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Its aim is to bring the best in classical music to the widest possible audience. Join Hazel as she shares stories of how the proms began, where it gets its name, how politics has sometimes clashed with the event and how a stag was released from Door 1 at the Last Night of the Proms. Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/royal-albert-hall-proms/

What was it like to be a woman in 1920s London? Rubbing shoulders with big names such a Winston Churchill and George Bernard Shaw and having friends such as Lady Astor and Emmeline Pankhurst. Listen to this weeks episode and find out more. Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/1920s-london-women/

In this episode, we'll have a look at how the world's greatest city has been portrayed on film, taking in everything from the glory days of Ealing to the use of the modern metropolis as the background for blockbusters. Join Hazel Baker (Qualified London Tour Guide) and Richard Luck (Feature writer, critic and author) as they discuss movies that are filmed in London. Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/london-movies/

Join London Tour Guide Hazel as be meets with Helen Baggott who shares the true stories revealed through postcards sent more than a hundred years ago. Helen Baggott is a writer and editor from Dorset. She began researching postcards almost 20 years ago and so far has researched more than 300 – with more in the wings. Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/postcards-from-londons-past/

How many statues of named women are there in London? Listen to London Tour Guide Hazel as she tells the lives of four pioneering women who made their own contributions to medical science. Three have a statue in London but one does not... Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/london-statues-medical-women/

Housed in the attic of the early eighteenth-century church of the old St Thomas' Hospital, The Old Operating Theatre Museum offers a unique insight into the history of medicine and surgery.  Listen to London Tour Guide Hazel Baker and Marketing and Events Manager Monica Walker discuss its history including the use of the herb garret and the types of operations which were performed there. Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/old-operating-theatre-museum/

Join London tour guides Hazel Baker and Ian McDiarmid as they discuss London's Coffeehouses how they enables the financial revolution in the 18th century. Find out where Londoners get their bowls of coffee from a history-making entrepreneur. Hear how the Bank of England, the Stock Exchange and the Royal Exchange began. Find out how we get the phrase to hear a pin drop and where you would have needed to go to sample London's best cherry brandy and sandwiches.   Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/london-coffeehouses-commerce/

Ever wondered whether the stories we hear ring with an element of truth? Explore with Hazel from London Guided Walks and Vanessa from London Dreamtime the curious world of London's folklore and how the opaque curtain between fact and fiction moves organically. Vanessa Woolf is a professional storyteller inspired by the history and folklore of London. Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/london-folklore/

Modern cabaret and burlesque shows can trace their roots back to the taverns and coffee houses of 18th century London. Hear how they grew in popularity and made history. Making history today is Ivy Paige, international showgirl, singer and burlesque queen. Hear Ivy's experiences backstage and what it's really like working in the world of cabaret in London. Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/music-halls-cabaret/

Join Hazel and Ian as they discuss the iconic Monument to the Great Fire of London which commemorates one of the most famous events in London’s history. This impressive structure invites over 150,000 visitors each year to climb the 311 spiral steps to enjoy one of the best views over the City. Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/great-fire-london-monument/

Have you ever wondered how much of the James Bond stories are true? We all know 007 is a fictional character but the inspiration for the stories has to come from somewhere. Join our London tour guides Hazel Baker and Rob Smith as they discuss true spy stories connected to London! Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/true-london-spy-stories/

Welcome one, welcome all to Hockley in the Hole! Join our London tour guide Hazel Baker as we discuss the history of the Hockley in the Hole, a once famed Bear Garden In Clerkenwell, London.  Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/lost-london/

The 23rd of April is not only Shakespeare's birthday but also St George's Day. St George is the patron saint of England. There are several ways for us to mark the occasion but this year join our tour guide Hazel Baker and Hannah Chutspah a Chief Dragon Twitcher as they talk about The Dragons of London! Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/london-dragons/

Over 30 million people have seen the Crown Jewels in their present setting at the Tower of London and are possibly the most visited objects in Britain. Listen to  London tour guide Hazel Baker discuss with London junkie Zoe Merritt some of the unknown details of the Crown Jewels. Can you tell your diadems from your tiaras? What's the oldest piece in the collection? What's the most recent addition to the collection? Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/crown-jewels/

Join London tour guide Hazel Baker as she explores her own childhood memories, those of fellow tour guide Ian McDiarmid and also those of her mother. Food helps shape the identity of people's whole life experiences. It's a bonding ritual between friends, families and communities. Can you remember a children's birthday party when you went to as a child which didn't have food? No? Me neither. Being a child from the 1980s many of my memories are of psychedelic foods; bread and butter with hundreds and thousands, iced gems, pineapple and cheese on a cocktail stick and jelly and ice cream. Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/childhood-foods/

Join London tour guide Hazel Baker as she explores the history of animals in London. Get your coat ready, we are going back to the ice age before travelling time through Medieval. Elizabethan, Victorian London. Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/fantastic-beasts-london/

Join London guides Hazel Baker and Ian McDiarmid as they discuss Roman London. Find out how London's history begins with the Romans, when they came to Britain, why they chose the area to build Londinium. Hear about the trades that went on inside Londinium, what goods were made there and what they imported. Discover what of Roman London there is left to explore. Learn things about London that most Londoners don't even know in a 20 minute espresso shot episode of London history with a splash of personality. There's so much we can't fit into our tours, no matter how hard we try. This London history podcast is where we can get down and dirty with the detail! You're not going to find this level of detail in any guidebook. Let us know if there's a particular person, event or place you want to know more about in our podcast. Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Show notes, including transcript, photos and recommended reading: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast/roman-london-history/

An introduction to our London history podcast. Find out what it’s all about!