Street Historians

Put your hand out on a busy London street and you might get picked up by one of today’s guests. Danny McIntyre and Greg Smith are licensed hackney carriage drivers. They are part of a tradition that goes back centuries, commonly known today as ‘black cabs’. As well as transporting people across London, Danny and Greg also take curious visitors to the top historical sites and regale them with stori...

Ten years ago, Charley Harrison founded Totally Tailored, one of London’s most successful private tour companies. On this episode, she takes us back to the beginning, from working on London’s open-top buses to creating the groundwork for her company during slow shifts at a gift shop. Along the way, Charley reveals what the Totally Tailored private tour guides have in common, how she expanded her b...

Head to central London and you might find Jess Brownrigg and Louise Cooley regaling visitors with true tales of the city’s past. Both these tour guides are passionate about making history compelling for all ages, and their enthusiasm for London’s heritage is contagious. On this episode, we uncover what led them to this role, and find out more about the different tours they give, from Dr Who to the...

Nigel Smith and Adam Scott-Goulding’s guided walks around London are the talk of the town, with a unique focus on the city’s cinematic heritage and musical history, respectively.  On Nigel’s cinema tours, visitors marvel at the old picture houses that are still a part of the city’s architectural fabric. For Adam, the theme is music, from the 60s stars of Swinging London to the intriguing life of 1...

For the past decade, Katie Wignall has been a prolific figure on the London guiding scene. Her articles and videos, along with her guidebook ‘Look Up London’, have become invaluable resources for those eager to learn the real stories behind the city’s streets and buildings. Her company specialises in original tours that explore different facets of the city and are known to sell out months in advan...

Lauren Barnes and Bex Newell are two guides who share a passion for London’s culinary heritage. They’ve each taken thousands of visitors to taste the many flavours of the city, uncovering the connections between food and history, one bite at a time.  In well-known spots, such as Borough Market, they focus on independent traders and the old traditions of the market. They also take guests to lesser...

Since 1982, Richard Jones has been one of London’s most treasured tour guides. Hundreds of thousands of visitors have discovered the old streets and buildings thanks to Richard’s guided walks. From his captivating voice, to his insider knowledge, his tours never fail to leave a lasting impression on those lucky enough to get a ticket. This episode looks back on the past four decades of Richard’s p...

Rachel Cole-Wilkin and Bex Couper are two London guides who enjoy exploring the more under-the-radar facets of the city’s heritage. In Rachel’s case, she founded London’s first and only ‘Loo Tour’, a walk that uncovers the intriguing and beguiling lavatory history of the city and beyond. While Bex has been giving guided walks through the oldest part of London, focusing on the various women from ce...

Emily McFadyen and Dr Aaron Hunter are two London guides who give tours that are different from the norm. After years of living in a close-knit part of East London, Emily now gives experiential tours that focus on her neighbourhood’s vibrant cuisine, architecture and social history. Aaron uses his expertise in natural history to give family-friendly adventures that span London’s streets, museums a...

Matt Gedge and Paul Harrison are two of London's most recognisable raconteurs, each with over ten years' experience revealing the city's heritage. They each have a unique ability to combine history with humour to create tours that are both engaging and enjoyable. On this episode, Matt and Paul share what led them to this trade, reflect on honing their skills on London's open top buses, and discuss...

Street Historians takes you into the fascinating world of tour guiding and uncovers what it takes to make history come alive. Go behind the scenes with author and award-winning guide, Jeremy John, as he and his guests reveal the secrets of the trade. Jeremy's Tour Instagram: https://instagram.com/londonwithjeremy Jeremy's Tour Website: https://www.historyupclose.com