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 Tudors. They reveal their methods for bringing history to life, including a technique that Louise calls “laying seeds for the birdies”. They finish by sharing stories of tours not going to plan, from London’s annual naked cycle ride blocking the streets, to rain causing royal guards to march at double speed.

Chapters:

You can join one of Jess’ tours by booking through Fun London Tours (https://funlondontours.com) and requesting him as your guide.

Jeremy's Tour Instagram: https://instagram.com/londonwithjeremy

Jeremy's Tour Website: https://www.historyupclose.com

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 18th century composer, George Frideric Handel.

On this episode, Nigel and Adam divulge what led them into tour guiding. They discuss the fascinating aspects of London’s cinematic and musical past, and along the way discover how Judy Garland connects their two very different tours. As teachers of tour guiding, they finish with some useful tips to make walking tours more engaging and meaningful.

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro

(02:31) Backstories of Nigel & Adam

(09:29) Guiding cinema tours

(15:06) Music tours & guiding techniques

(27:09) Handel, Judy Garland & group interaction

(35:35) Teaching tour guiding 

(39:01) Outro

Links:

NIGEL SMITH:

Book Tours: https://nigelsmithwalks.com

Cinema History: https://memorypalaces.co.uk

Instagram: https://instagram.com/nigelsmithwalks

Facebook: https://facebook.com/NigelSmithWalks

For the Clerkenwell & Islington Tour Guiding Course 2026, follow this link: https://islingtonguidedwalks.com/our-training-course/

ADAM SCOTT-GOULDING

Book Tours: https://londonmusictours.org

Instagram: https://instagram.com/londonmusictours

Facebook: https://facebook.com/londonmusictour

JEREMY JOHN:

WEBSITE:

INSTAGRAM:

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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 advance.

On this episode, Katie shares how she went from posting historical information online to taking groups of people across London’s old alleyways and courtyards for over ten years. She reveals the origins of Look Up London, and how returning from university allowed her to see her hometown with renewed curiosity. She also divulges what goes into doing her own research, her love of turning dry facts into juicy anecdotes, and the joys of connecting with an audience on street level.

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro

If you enjoyed listening to this episode of Street Historians, don’t forget to click follow/subscribe, and rate the podcast with a thumbs up or five stars.

Look Up London Instagram: https://instagram.com/look_uplondon

Look Up London Website: https://lookup.london

Jeremy's Tour Instagram: https://instagram.com/londonwithjeremy

Jeremy's Tour Website: https://www.historyupclose.com

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 visited neighbourhoods, including Brixton, where home cook Maureen Tyne serves up nostalgic dishes from her backyard.

On this episode, Lauren and Bex share what drew them to food tours. They discuss the notable ways their role differs from other guides and they reveal the best times to visit the foodie hotspots.

(00:00) Intro

(03:08) Backstories

(07:35) Food tours ins and outs

(14:41) Borough Market

(24:26) The recipe for a great tour

(30:58) Wearing multiple hats 

(39:59) Things not going to plan

(46:51) Outro

Jeremy’s Tour Instagram: https://instagram.com/londonwithjeremy

Jeremy's Tour Website: https://www.historyupclose.com

Bex's Tour Instagram: https://instagram.com/bextakeswalks

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 professional guiding career. We discuss his journey from postal worker to renowned London raconteur and his thoughts on what makes a great tour. Along the way, we explore the methods he uses to bring history to life for all age groups, and how to navigate obstacles, especially the British weather!

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro

(02:48) Richard’s backstory

(04:58) “The Buzz”

(09:25) Richard’s big break

(15:01) The essentials

(21:33) Making tours fun for kids 

(30:50) “Do every tour like it’s your first”

(35:23) Richard’s favourite routes

(41:57) Famous faces

(47:20) Outro

If you enjoyed listening to this episode of Street Historians, don’t forget to click follow/subscribe, and rate the podcast with a thumbs up or five stars.

Richard’s Webste: https://richardslondontours.co.uk

Jeremy's Tour Instagram: https://instagram.com/londonwithjeremy

Jeremy's Tour Website: https://www.historyupclose.com

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 centuries past who have left their mark on the city.

In this episode, Rachel and Bex share the backstories about why they chose guiding and how they ended up crafting their own unique walking trails. They reveal expert tricks and techniques to make any tour a memorable experience and address some recent behavioural changes in the way visitors to London are imagining and navigating the city.

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro

(03:06) Backstories of Rachel and Bex

(07:35) Crafting a great tour

(11:22)  Loo Tours explored

(17:20) Making serious topics enjoyable

(25:45) Keeping children engaged

(29:01) Plans out the window

(33:36) New expectations of the old city

(39:39) Outro

If you enjoyed listening to this episode of Street Historians, don’t forget to click follow/subscribe, and rate the podcast with a thumbs up or five stars.

Rachel’s Loo Tours: https://www.lootours.com

Bex’s Website: https://walkswithbex.com

Jeremy's Tour Instagram: https://instagram.com/londonwithjeremy

Jeremy's Tour Website: https://www.historyupclose.com

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 and even a park that contains the world’s first ever dinosaur statues.

In this episode, Emily and Aaron talk about the joys of showcasing the hidden parts of London, how they both used their earlier careers to pivot into guiding, and their shared passion for unique and quirky tours.

Chapters

(00:00) Intro

(02:52) Backstories of Emily and Aaron

(12:55) Elements of a great tour

(18:36) Heading off the beaten track

(32:37) On the buses

(38:04) Expecting the unexpected

(47:38) Top tips for newbies

(51:00) Outro

If you enjoyed listening to this episode of Street Historians, don’t forget to click follow/subscribe, and rate the podcast with a thumbs up or five stars.

Dr Aaron Hunter’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/scienceguidelondon

Jeremy's Tour Instagram: https://instagram.com/londonwithjeremy

Jeremy's Tour Website: https://www.historyupclose.com

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.

Contents

Paul’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/thepaulharrison

Jeremy's Tour Instagram: https://instagram.com/londonwithjeremy

Jeremy's Tour Website: https://www.historyupclose.com

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 Website: https://www.historyupclose.com