London History

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 espr...

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...

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. Lear...

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 need...

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 d...

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 Lond...

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 Lon...

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 wi...

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 h...

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 episo...

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 add...

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...

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 tour...

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...

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