History of London

March 1 2026

Magic, Mystics and Martyrs by HERstorical Tours

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Are you ready to step into the darker side of history? Follow witchcraft trails, stand on the very spot where executions and punishments were taken place, and meet the history’s forgotten women whose names were erased from history.

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New theatrical walking tour in London! 🎭 Book via @Fever 𝙈𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙘, 𝙈𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙮𝙧𝙨 by @herstorical_tours_ Meet the ghosts of some lesser known witches, martyrs, prophetesses and rebels once lived in London. Hear the story of a stanic noble woman, a rebellious martyr and learn where the saying “swears like a fish wife” comes from. #feverambassador #historylovers #historylovers walkingtouracts #walkingtour

♬ Dark fantasy opening style BGM(1195851) – Dee Lee

A Ghostly Walking Tour Uncovering the Tales of Forgotten Women

Magic, Mystics and Martyrs Walking Tour by HERstorical Tours

Photo: Urban Adventurer

HERstorical Tours have just launched their new theatrical walking tour in London: Magic, Mystics and Martyrs.

Prepare to embark on a spooky journey back in time to the darkest shadows of London’s history and explore the ghosts of witches, mystics, rebels and phantoms. Some lesser-known women whose names have been erased from history for their beliefs, powers or simply for knowing too much.

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Magic, Mystics and Martyrs is not an ordinary walking tour!

Expect costumes, street theatre and engaging performances to bring the past to life and help you immerse into the shadowy side of herstories.

Maria, your tour guide, and her helpers bring you for a journey you will talk about long after the tour.

Photo: Urban Adventurer

You’ll learn true stories about the forgotten women in history, including an infamous phantom lady of the Financial district, a satanic noblewoman, a rebellious martyr, prophets who were labelled as crazy and women who lost their heads and endured gruesome punishments for their knowledge, faith, or even their bravery.

What image come into your mind when you hear the word ‘witch’? Is it an ugly old woman with a hump on her back and a sharp chin who is expert in making potions? Well, that universal image came from a woman born and lived in a cave.

Do you know where does the saying “swears like a fish wife” comes from?

You’ll learn all these stories and more if you book HERstorical Tours’ new tour, Magic, Mystics and Martyrs.

Photo: Urban Adventurer

The stories will be told with powerful live theatrical elements, wit and drama and some dark feminist humour where appropriate.

The tour blends the right balance of respect and entertainment with the aim to educate on sensitive historical subjects.

Photo: Urban Adventurer

The tour ends at the Hung, Drawn & Quartered pub near Tower Hill station, where you’re most welcome to join Maria and your fellow tour mates for a tipple or two.

About HERstorical Tours

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Founded and led by women, HERstorical Tours has been created to tell the lesser-known stories of women in history.

Women’s voices were often deliberately silenced and when they spoke out or behaved in a way that wasn’t accepted by patriarchy, those women were labelled as hysterical or mad and faced punishment or even execution.

HERstorical Tours – instead of doing the same old walking tours in London – tells the unusual and uncharted stories of history about women from the perspective of women.

HERstorical Tours are NOT just for women! Everybody who are interested in the hidden nooks and crannies of the city are welcome to join.

Click here to discover all the tours currently running in London.

This tour and all the others are also available to book on FEVER.

Ready for your next adventure? Harlots & Strumpets & Tarts, Oh My! Is one of HERstorical Tours’ most popular tours. You’ll be lead through the gin-addled streets of the 18^th-century London and hear stories about high-class courtesans, Madams, corrupted country girls and women who ended up in the gutter.

Replica of a 16-Year-Old Girl's Skull Who Had Third Stage Syphilis - Crossbones Graveyard

September 28 2024

Crossbones Graveyard – The Hidden Graveyard of Sex Workers

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Somewhere near London Bridge Station, there is a hidden graveyard, called Crossbones Graveyard with a large red metal gate adorned with hundreds of colourful ribbons. This graveyard has an extraordinary story.

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🪦☠️ [BLOG POST IN BIO] Crossbones Graveyard is the final resting place for over 15,000 harlots, paupers, criminals and those excluded from Christian burial The graveyard filled quickly and became so overcrowded by the early 1850s that the bodies were piled on the top of each other ☠️ It closed in 1853 and remained forgotten for 150 years until rediscovered by TfL while digging there to extend the Jubilee line A large number of bodies were exhumed and sent for examination to the Museum of London, some of which were later displayed Today the graveyard is maintained by volunteers and free to visit 🪦 7pm on 23th very month, a Vigil for the Outcast is being held and free to join 🕯️ #crossbonesgraveyard #graveyard #cemetery #londontiktok #spookyseason #hauntedplaces #halloween2024 #CapCut

♬ Suspense, horror, piano and music box – takaya

If the Graveyard Could Talk…

Photo: Urban Adventurer

If Crossbones Graveyard could talk, it would tell the stories of the over 15,000 unfortunate people buried there.

It would tell you that during the medieval and Victorian times, this area was one of the poorest and most dangerous slums in London where all the otherwise prohibited activities were taken place.

Prostitution and bear-baiting pits were thriving here. Sex workers who worked at the brothels in Southwark were called the ‘Winchester Goose’ due to the fact that they were licenced under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Winchester.

The graveyard would also tell you that life expectancy of those unfortunate enough to live at that area was dreadful due to violence and diseases that often knocked on the doors of the poorest and most vulnerable.

Photo: Urban Adventurer

If the soil of Crossbones Graveyard could talk, it would tell you how shockingly quickly it was filled up with prostitutes, paupers, criminals and those excluded from Christian burial, becoming the burial garden of the outcast.

If the wind over the soil could talk, it would whisper that thousands of the people resting in this soil are children aged 5 or under.

It would also tell you that the graveyard became so overcrowded by the early 1850s that the bodies were piled on the top of each other until the cemetery closed in 1853 and remained forgotten for 150 years.

The Rediscovery

Photo: Urban Adventurer

In the 1990s the Crossbones was accidentally rediscovered by TfL while digging there to extend the Jubilee line.

A large number of bodies were exhumed and sent for examination to the Museum of London, some of which were later displayed.

The examinations showed that most of the people had died from common diseases, such as tuberculosis, smallpox or scurvy and rickets.

Over half of the bodies exhumed were children’s indicating the tragic scale of child mortality.

Replica of a 16-year-old girl’s skull who has third stage syphilis

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Among the excavation of 148 bodied by the Museum of London, only one was found to have evidence of syphilis. The skeleton was estimated to be of a 16-year-old girl. She had third stage syphilis which means she had psychiatric disorders and a hole in her skull.

Third stage syphilis only occurs after 6-9 years of being continually transmitted. Crossbones Graveyard has a replica of this skull on which you can see the hole.

The site would have been forgotten again if local writer John Constable (aka John Crow) had not experienced a spiritual encounter of ‘The Goose’ whilst writing late at night.

According to John Constable a spirit of a medieval sex worker (‘The Goose’) visited him and made him write the following poem:

For tonight in Hell 

They are tolling the bell 

For the Whore that lay at the Tabard, 

And well we know 

How the carrion crow 

Doth feast in our Cross Bones Graveyard.

Constable said he had never heard of Crossbones Graveyard before.

The poem later was performed at the Globe and Southward Cathedral and became the first of the series, called ‘The Southwark Mysteries.’

Photo: Urban Adventurer

As a result of the spiritual encounter, Constable and his friends championed the graveyard and turned the space into a garden of remembrance.

In 2004 they founded ‘Friends of Crossbones’, an informal network of sex workers, activists, poets and outsiders. In the same year on 23^rd June, they conducted their first Vigil for the Outcast.

The ritual has been held on 7pm on the 23^rd every month since then and free to visit.

In 2020 a permission granted a 30-year lease to Bankside Open Spaces Trust for Crossbones Graveyard to be protected and maintained as a public garden of remembrance.

Volunteering at Crossbones Graveyard

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Crossbones Graveyard always look for volunteers to join their team.

If you wish to become a volunteer click here to learn more about volunteer gardening sessions, Crossbones wardens and volunteer at Bankside Open Spaces Trust.

No experience needed to join. All you need is your enthusiasm and willingness to get stuck in.

Practical Info

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Address

Crossbones Graveyard & Garden of Remembrance | Redcross Way, London, SE1 1TA

Opening Hours

FREE to visit | NO booking required

Open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 12pm – 2pm

Ready for your next adventure? Descend into the dark of the graffiti tunnel at The Vault near Waterloo Station and stand face to face with the most notorious serial killers in history. Serial Killer: The Exhibition is now open.

August 13 2024

London Transport Museum’s Canteen is Built Out of Real Memorabilia from Tube Stations

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Mind the Gap! London Transport Museum’s café, Canteen, is more than just an ordinary café within the museum’s shop. From the wooden benches to the signs, tiles and posters, everything is original and reclaimed from the Underground.

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Mind the Gap! 🚇 [BLOG POST IN BIO] @London Transport Museum café, Canteen, is more than just an ordinary café within the museum’s shop Did you know that from the wooden benches to the signs, tiles and posters, everything is original and reclaimed from London tube stations? 🚉 For example, there are original tiles from Sloan Square and light fittings originally planned to be installed at Embarkment station 🚥 @Covent Garden #londontransportmuseum #londonhotspots #transportforlondon #museumlondon #coventgarden #mindthegap #londonunderground #londontiktok #CapCut

♬ Soulful Strut – Shogo Hamada & The J.S. Inspirations

Mind the Gap and Grab that Insta Moment

Photo: Urban Adventurer

London Transport Museum’s café, Canteen, is named after the static and mobile canteens used to cater the staff during the 1940s and 1950s.

The café’s interior is celebrating the changing design of London transport by using original furnishing and furniture once used at stations all over London.

Photo: Urban Adventurer

There are original tiles from Sloan Square and light fittings originally planned to be installed at Embarkment station.

The wooden benches were found in the basement of Wembley Park and Gloucester Road, while the original posters and maps once helped passengers find their way at different stations all over the city.

Photo: Urban Adventurer

There are also luggage racks from 1960s A stock trains.

The signs you can see all over the café are all reclaimed from the Underground.

Mind the Bite!

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Park your bum on one of the glorious moquette seats and explore the food and drink offerings.

The menu has a range of hot and cold meals, including soup of the day, sandwiches, Great British specials, such as all day English Breakfast and fish & chips, as well as salads.

Vegan and vegetarian options also available.

Photo: Urban Adventurer

They also have the cutest kids’ meal in the fridge. The meal comes in an adorable London Transport Museum-themed box and contains a sandwich, a drink and some snacks.

Photo: Urban Adventurer

The highlights on the menu are definitely the Underground-themed cocktails. There are two cocktails: ‘Routemaster’ and Elizabeth Line’, and a mocktail: ‘Central Line’ on the menu.

Bonus point to the Canteen for being breastfeeding friendly.

London Transport Museum Canteen is on the first floor of the shop and open to all. Make sure you a pay visit next time you’re in Covent Garden and travel back in time while sitting on a moquette seat surrounded with all those memorabilia.

Ready for your next adventure? Covent Garden is taken over by cute smiling inflatable clouds. The installation is on display at Covent Garden Piazza to deliver joy and happiness this Summer.

May 28 2024

‘Sinners, Saints and Saviours’ – Theatrical Historical Walking Tour in London

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HERstorical Tours uncovers hidden stories of women who shaped our history through drama, character acting and street theatre. HERstorical Tours newest walking tour, ‘Sinners, Saints and Saviours’ guides you through the hidden corners and backstreets of Southwark to discover the area’s colourful past from the Romans to Victorian times.

@urbanadventurerldn

[BLOG POST COMING SOON] Join @herstorical_tours_ newest theatrical walking tour in Southwark ???? ‘Sinners, Saints and Saviours’ will guide you through the dark history of Southwark ????️ Meet a Pagan Goddess who inspired or*ies, an infamous Brothel owner, a very unlucky Nun, a supernatural entity that curses men and more! HERstortical Tours tell the lesser known dark stories of women in history… …after all – as the Church believes: ???????????????????? ???????????????????? ???????? ????????????…???????????????????? ???????? ???? ????????????????????! ???? ????️ Book your tour at HERstorical Tours official website #womenhistory #womenhistorymonth #londonhistory #historyoflondon #walkingtour #london #londontiktok #witchtok #CapCut

♬ Witch Woods – EMMY

Sinners, Saints and Saviours of Southwark

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Join your local Roman Whore Guide Lydia Clamydia who left her slumber in the spirit world to guide you to the darkest corners of Southwark.

As she guides you through the backstreets of Southwark along River Themes, she will tell you long-forgotten stories of women who once haunted those streets (either as a living or a spirit).

If you listen closely, you can still hear their voices echoing on the brick walls of the surrounding buildings and on the wet stones of the pavement underneath your feet.

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Delve deep into the dark history of the capital and listen to – sometimes cheeky and juicy – stories of forgotten women who once lived in the area and have shaped London’s history.

Along your journey, you will meet a Pagan Goddess who inspired orgies, a very unfortunate nun, supernatural entities and spirits that cursed men.

Photo: Urban Adventurer

You will also meet the mysterious Rat Queen who once lived in the sewer drainage and the ‘Winchester Goose’ who seduced men (you’re safe ladies, don’t worry. Phiew!)

You will learn about a cemetery near London Bridge Station where hundreds of sex workers were buried, and it was discovered by TFL during the construction of Jubilee Line in the 1990s.

Join Lydia Clamydia for a Tipple at a Local Pub

Photo: Urban Adventurer

The end of the tour, you will have a chance to join you tour guide Maria aka Lydia Clamydia for a drink (or two) at a local Edwardian pub to digest and talk through what you have seen and heard.

Practical Info

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‘Sinners, Saints and Saviours’ Theatrical Walking Tour

Where Does The Tour Starts and Ends

The tour starts at Southwark Cathedral (at the top of the steps, not the bottom)

The tour ends at Red Cross Gardens

How Long is the Tour

The tour lasts about 1.5 hours

Age Requirements

18+ (mature content)

NOTE:

The tour involves a lot of walking. Please, wear comfortable shoes

No toilet break during the tour

Filming is not allowed during the tour; however, you are most welcome to take as many photos as you like

Ready for your next adventure? If you liked this tour, why not join HERstorical Tours for another one? Discover hidden places and locations in London that were once associated with occult activity and witchcraft. Get ready to be bewitched and join ‘Hex and the City’ theatrical walking tour next time.

April 22 2024

Votes for Women! Suffragettes at Bow Street and Beyond! – Theatrical Walking Tour by Herstorical Tours

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Celebrating the 106^th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote, Herstorical Tours launched their new theatrical walking tour in London: ‘Votes for Women! Suffragettes at Bow Street and Beyond!’.

The tour is running on a monthly basis and the ticket includes 50% off your entry fee to the Bow Street Police Museum.

@urbanadventurerldn

V O T E S F O R W O M E N ! ???? ???? [BLOG POST IN BIO] New theatrical walking tour in London To celebrate the 106th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote, @herstorical_tours_ launched their new theatrical walking tour in London: ‘???????????????????? ???????????? ????????????????????! ???????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????? ????????????????????????!’ ????️ Your ticket includes 50% off your entry fee to Bow Street Police Museum ???? Follow the literal footsteps of the fearless suffragettes and visit the exact locations where they marched, fought, preached and – some of them – even gave their lives to finally get the right for women to vote ???? Watch history being brought to life in front of your eyes with acting, drama and a pinch of comedy and joke where appropriate ????️ Visit Herstorical Tours’ official website for the next available tours and book your ticket today! #herstoricaltours #suffragette #womenhistorymonth #womenrights #womenhistory #walkingtour #londontiktok #london #historytime

♬ LABOUR – the cacophony – Paris Paloma

**About Herstorical Tours**

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Herstorical Tours are dedicated to telling the story of those who were silenced and oppressed and considered as ‘hysterical’ in history when they attempted to speak up: women.

Herstorical Tours’ walking tours are created by women to women. Each tour has special focus on the dark and curious and explores the hidden nooks and crannies of the history of women.

Votes for Women!

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Today, there’s nothing remarkable about the fact that both men and women have equal rights to vote on elections.

However, it wasn’t always that obvious!

Join Herstorical Tours and follow the literal footsteps of the fearless suffragettes and visit the exact locations where they marched, fought, preached and – some of them – even gave their lives to finally get the right for women to vote.

The Lesser-Known Heroines

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You’ve probably heard about the martyrdom of Emily Wilding Davison who put herself under the King’s horse or Millicent Fawcett, who even has a bronze statue at Parliament Square, but what about the lesser-known heroines?

‘Votes for Women! Suffragettes at Bow Street and Beyond!’ lets you travel back in time and meet the lesser-known heroines of the suffragette movement.

Through theatrical elements and role play, you’ll meet face-to-face with…

…a refugee singer and actress who became an arsonist,

…a working-class suffragette and socialist feminist who became the leading figure of the movement,

….‘Slasher’ Mary who vandalised a famous painting at the National Gallery,

…and many more.

Photo: Urban Adventurer

You’ll learn shocking facts about the suffragette, such as how women who went on hunger strike in prison were force fed, why suffragette women chose to go to prison instead of paying a fine and walk home freely and how differently were working-class and upper-class members were treated in prison.

Your expert tour guide, Maria, will bring London history to life with acting, drama and a pinch of comedy and joke where appropriate.

After all…

“Well-behaved women seldom make history…” – Laurel Thatcher Ulrich (Pulitzer Prize-winner historian)

Suffragettes at Bow Street and Beyond!

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In association with Bow Street Police Museum, Herstorical Tours offers a 50% off entry to the museum when you purchase a ticket to the ‘Votes for Women!’ tour. This means your entry free will be as little as £3!

In the museum, you’ll have the chance to literally go into prison cells as well as learn more about the suffragette movement.

Practical Info

Photo: Urban Adventurer

What’s the length of the tour?

Approx. 2hrs – including lots of walking, so please wear comfortable shoes. There will be no stops or rests during the tour.

Are the tours wheelchair accessible?

There are some narrow lanes and steps to climb during the tours. Contact Herstorical Tours to discuss about your special requirements.

Is the tour suitable for children?

There are references of violence, sexual assault, and torture, and the tour involves lots of walking, therefore the tour is not suitable for young children.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at the Millicent Fawcett statue, Parliament Square and ends at Bow Street Police Station, Covent Garden.

Can men participate?

Everyone is welcome to the tour who wants to learn more about women history.

When is the next tour and how can I book?

Check the next available tour on Herstorical Tour’s official website, where you can also book your ticket.

Ready for your next adventure? Descend into the darkest pits in history at Hersorical Tour’s other tour, ‘Hex and the City’. Meet some of the forgotten women who were persecuted as witches, visit a pagan temple right in the heart of the city and get ready to be bewitched.

April 13 2024

Dream – Bridge – Omnigliph by Leo Robinson at The London Mithraeum

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New exhibition opened at the London Mithraeum – the Roman Temple of Mithras discovered in 1954 – converting the space into a contemporary ritual ground with imagined cultural objects, musical instruments, and sacred objects.

@urbanadventurerldn

[BLOG POST IN BIO] London Mithraeum is a free to visit ancient temple dedicated to a mysterious Roman god, Mithras ????️ London Mithraeum was discovered on 18th September 1954 and quickly became a sensation Thousands of people flocked to the archaeological site to marvel at the Roman remains, while the widespread media coverage captured the imagination of the public worldwide ????️ The excavation was supported by Winston Churchill and has become one of the most significant events in British archaeological history ????️ What you can see at London Mithraeum: ????️ The Temple of Mithras + an immersive light & sound experience ????Artefacts found during the archaeological excavation ???? An amazing shadow play that tells the story of Mithras ???? A temporary exhibition that creates an imaginary ritual scene: ‘Dream – Bridge – Omnigliph’ by contemporary artist Leo Robinson ???? 12 Walbrook, London EC4N 8AA ????️ Free to visit. Book a time slot on London Mithraeum’s website #londonmithraeum #history #historytok #londonexhibitions #freeexhibition #romanempire #mithras #romangods #londonhistory #historyoflondon #CapCut

♬ Embrace Of Light – Hekate

What is London Mithraeum

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London Mithraeum is a free to visit ancient temple dedicated to a mysterious Roman god, Mithras, in the heart of London.

London Mithraeum is located at one of London’s lost rivers, the Walbrook which was there when the Romans founded Londinium 2,000 years ago.

After 200 years Londinium was built, the Romans constructed a temple to God Mithras next to the river.

We don’t know much about Mithras, but according to research he first appeared in Rome in the 1^st century AD.

Photo: Urban Adventurer

The temple was constructed below ground where people would have gathered for rituals.

The mythological scene where God Mithras kills a bull is called ‘tauroctony’ and is the heart of the cult, however, its full meaning is subject of speculation.

London Mithraeum was discovered on 18^th September 1954 and quickly became a sensation.

Thousands of people flocked to the archaeological site to marvel at the Roman remains, while the widespread media coverage captured the imagination of the public worldwide. The excavation was supported by Winston Churchill and have become one of the most significant events in British archaeological history.

The London Mithraeum Today

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Today London Mithraeum is a free to visit museum where visitors can see the reconstructed remains of the Temple of Mithras and lots of artefacts found between 2012 and 2014 during the archaeological excavation.

During the excavation more than 14,000 individual artefacts were discovered, including Roman pottery, animal bones, coins and more.

You can see some these items displayed on the ground floor.

TIP: Make sure you grab one of the tablets provided to learn more about each of the artefacts.

Photo: Urban Adventurer

On the first floor below ground visitors can listen to the story of God Mithras illustrated with an amazing shadow play projected on the walls.

Here, visitors also have a chance to learn more about Mithras and the temple before they descend to the second floor below ground to see the temple and be part of an immersive experience with light and sound effects.

Kids-Friendly

If you’re planning to visit London Mithraeum with kids, feel free to do so!

London Mithraeum is family-friendly, making sure to keep kids entertained. Ask for an activity sheet at the reception and keep your little one busy by finding specific objects and solving puzzles.

Dream – Bridge – Omnigliph by Leo Robinson at The London Mithraeum

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London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE often provides space for temporary exhibitions from emerging contemporary artists.

‘Dream – Bridge – Omnigliph’ is created by contemporary artist Leo Robinson who graduated at the Manchester School of Art in 2016.

Robinson uses religion and psychoanalysis to construct ritual objects, maps, games, and musical instruments to symbolise imagined ritual ceremonies.

‘Dream – Bridge – Omniglyph’ showcases an archway producing transitory sounds, a series of fantastical musical instruments inspired by harps and string instruments from West Africa and Ethiopia, a large tapestry and symbols and images painted on the wall.

With these objects, Robinson transforms the space into an imagined ritual scene.

Practical Info

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Address

London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE | 12 Walbrook, London EC4N 8AA

Opening Times

Tue – Sat: 10am – 6pm

Sun: 12pm – 5pm

London Mithraeum is open all year long.

‘Dream – Bridge – Omnigliph’ exhibition is open until 29 Jun 2024.

Tickets

London Mithraeum and the exhibition are free to visit, but you have to to book a time slot on London Mithraeum’s official website.

Ready for your next adventure? If you love anime, manga, and fantasy world, you’ll love this new exhibition at NOW Gallery. ‘Like a Melody: Myths, Memories and Fantasy’ has transformed the gallery space into an otherworldly realm with a 3-metre tall giant plushie cat, ‘excavated’ artefacts from a fantasy world, a female chain armour, beautiful paintings and more.

July 4 2023

Female Felons in London History – Herstorical Tours

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We all know the story of male criminals in history, such as Jack the Ripper or Captain Kidd. These cases are well-documented, we know all the details of their grisly crimes and the punishment they received.

But what about women? Join Herstorical Tours’ their newest historical walking tour and learn about female criminals in history.

@urbanadventurerldn

🔪 ☠️ Join @herstorical_tours_ for a theatrical walking tour and learn about female criminals in the 18th and 19th centuries of London | Tickets available on their website #herstoricaltours #historicaltour #walkingtourlondon #womeninhistory #historyofwomen #femalecriminals #ameliadyer #historyoflondon #urbanadventures #londonadventures #londonblogger

♬ Secret – The Pierces

Gaol Birds of Old London – Wicked Women and Cunning Jades…

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Herstorical Tours offer unusual historical walking tours about women to women (gentlemen are most welcome to join!) to unveil the untold/lesser-known stories of witches, female criminals and harlots in history using acting, drama and comedy.

Gaol Birds of Old London brings you back in time to the 18th and 19^th centuries to show crimes committed by women and how they were treated regarding class and race. You’ll catch a glimpse on how the criminal justice system worked at the time and how female criminals were punished and executed or, in some cases, how they managed to get away with what they’d done.

Did you know that at the very spot where there is a nice fountain today in front of Old Bailey Central Criminal Court, gallows stood in the 18^th century and criminals – including female criminals – were publicly hanged there?

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Magpie & Stump pub, which is operating in a modern building today right next to the fountain, was a favoured spot by people for watching executions while having a drink or two.

Among others, a 22-year-old female ‘criminal mastermind’ was executed here. You’ll learn her full story – what she did and how she got caught – during the tour.

Photo: Urban Adventurer

You’ll also hear about baby farming operating in the 18^th century. Baby farming was a for-profit orphanage usually ran by middle-aged women. These baby farms promised to take custody of unwanted infants or those whose parents were not able to take care of them for a small amount of money. However, baby farmers often did not take good care of the children or even got rid of some of them to make more space for newcomers, thus, earn more money. During the tour, you’ll learn about the famous case of one of the most notorious baby farmers and murderers in British history.

These cases and others from the 18^th-19^th centuries will help you to get a better view on how female criminals were treated back then and help answer the question: has it changed over the centuries?

Practical Info

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The 1.5-2h tour starts from Old Bailey Criminal Court and guides you through notorious execution scenes and crime scenes. Make sure you wear comfortable clothes and shoes because you’ll walk a lot and there is no stop during the tour.

The tour finishes at a local tavern where you’re free to join Maria (the tour guide) to discuss your thoughts about history over a drink or two.

Tickets

Secure your ticket online on Herstorical Tours website. Hurry up! It’s a small group tour for the better and more immersive experience.

Ready for your next adventure? Make sure you explore other walking tours from Herstorical Tours. ‘Harlots & Strumpets & Tarts, Oh My!’ brings you back in time to the 18^th century to the dark and steamy underworld of sex workers.

January 15 2023

Flip the Switch – Control Room B at Battersea Power Station

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Turn back the wheels of time and transport back to the 1950s Battersea Power Station. Engineers of Control Room B busy distributing power for London’s historical landmarks, including Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament.

After the reopening of the power station as shopping centre last October, Control Room B has been operating as a unique bar serving electrifying cocktails to power up your day out with friends.

@urbanadventurerldn

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♬ CASE 143 – Stray Kids

Recharge Your Energy Among to the Original Control Panels

Photo: Urban Adventurer

The centrepiece bar is inspired by the turbine of the power station and pays tribute to its fascinating history.

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Book a table and enjoy a themed cocktail amongst the original control desks, dials and switchgear racks that have been restored to their old glory. Feel free to go behind the plexiglass walls and explore the control panels by yourself (the friendly staff is happy to answer any question you may have).

Alternatively, book a 30-minute Champagne Guided Tour for Two to deep dive into the electric history of Battersea Power Station.

Power Up with High Voltage Cocktails

‘Renewable Energy’ Mocktail

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Power up with high voltage cocktails, inspired by the power station! Over 10 vibrant signature cocktails are available to recharge your energy, including non-alcoholic options.

To help you immerse more into the 1950s, the staff wear boiler suit to to keep up the style of the original uniform engineers used.

Ready for your next adventure? The Light Festival is returning at Battersea Power Station! Eight unique light installations will glow up on 19^th January and will be there to enjoy until 5^th March. Blog post with photos and videos coming soon.

September 7 2021

Treasures of the River – Mudlarking

Urban Adventurer Exhibition, Experience on the go, Historical Places, Unique Experience Exhibition, History of London, Mudlark, Mudlark Finding, Mudlarking, River Thames, Treasure Hunting 0

A Mudlark is a person who scavenges in river mud for objects of value. In the 18^th and 19^th centuries Mudlarks were typically poor people who sold what they had found in the mud of the riverbed for living.

Why is River Thames the Largest Archaeological Site in Britain?

Photo: Urban Adventurer

River Thames was once the world’s largest port. Traderships, boats, and sea vessels of all sizes came and go exporting and importing cargo around the globe. In the 18^th and 19^th centuries uncountable wharfs, docks, ship buildings, and warehouses stood both sides of the river.

As a result, tons of objects discarded or accidentally dropped into the water during the centuries.

Because the river is close to the sea, incoming and outcoming tides continuously bring those objects and artifacts to the surface with the mud, making River Thames the largest archaeological site in Britain. – explains Meriel Jeater, Curator at the Museum of London in Thames Festival Trust’s article.

Victorian Mudlarking

Mudlarking boys in the 18^th century.

Image Source: Thames Festival Trust

In the 18^th and 19^th centuries mudlarks were typically poor people, searching for anything along the river that they could sell for living. Many children, mostly boys, were doing mudlarking. They were mainly searching for practical items, such as coal, ropes, chopper nails, and iron. In the 19^th century mudlarks were the lowest members of society in London.

Modern Mudlarking

Photo: Urban Adventurer

In modern times mudlarking has become a popular hobby. Today’s mudlarks have passion and deep interest in London’s history and archaeology. A hobby that gives a hand-on experience of British history for adults and children alike.

Mudlarks of modern days tend to look for items that personally interest them, such as coins, jewellery, old toys, knives, bottles and Chinese or Roman pottery. These are actually common discoveries.

Today organisations, such as Thames Explorer Trust offer mudlarking experiences for kids and adults along River Thames.

During these tours, however, you are not allowed to bring artifacts home.

You Need Permit

Although theoretically anyone can do mudlarking in London, in practice, not. It is because anyone searching the tidal foreshore – for any reason – from Teddington to the Thames Barrier must hold a current foreshore permit from the Port of London Authority. This includes all searching, metal detecting, ‘beachcombing’, scraping, and digging. It actually means, you need a permission even to flip a stone and see under it.

You Must Report Your Finds

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Portable Antiquities Scheme Finds Liaison Officer at the Museum of London records all archaeological finds made by the public. You must report if you find anything that could be of archaeological interest.

The Historical Importance of Mudlarking

Artifacts found in the riverbed can still give a lot of valuable information on London’s history. These findings can alter how we see the past and even rewrite history.

Several books have been written about the artifacts found by members of the public and the Society of Thames Mudlarks. The incredible findings of toys from the Medieval period, for example changed how historians now view that period of time.

Mudlark Exhibitions

Mudlark exhibitions are regularly held in different places in London. Most of those exhibitions are free to visit and no need to book in advance.

Some exhibitors even allow visitors to touch some objects of their collections (however, always ask), giving an incredible opportunity to make history tangible.

Mudlarking: Lost and Found on the River Thames

Where: Southwark Cathedral – entry via cathedral courtyard opposite the River Thames

When: From 21 July to 30 October 2021 Open daily from 9am-5pm

Entry: Free – NO need to book a time slot

Mudlark Exhibition

Where: Chiswick Pier Trust

When: 25-26 September from 10am-4pm

Entry: Free – NO need to book a time slot

The Mudlark Pub

The Mudlark, Montague Close, London, Greater London, SE1 9DA

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Mudlarking was so popular in the 18^th and 19^th centuries that there is even a pub named after Mudlarks in London.

The Mudlark Pub opened in the middle of the 1700s at the riverside and became the favourite pub of market traders of London’s oldest fruit and vegetable market: Borough Market.

Photo: Urban Adventurer

The Mudlark Pub is just a 10-minute walk from one of the best mudlarking places, the Millenium Bridge. So, why not pop in for a beer and a burger after treasure hunting?

Ready for your next adventure? EGGOLNAD is London’s most egg-centric restaurant. Have a look.