Podcast · History

London History

by londonguidedwalks.co.uk · English · History

The London History Podcast uncovers the stories, people, and places that have shaped London over 2,000 years. Hosted by historian & tour guide Hazel Baker, each 20–40 minute episode feels like an audio walking tour, covering everything from Roman Londinium and medieval guilds to Dickensian streets

New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 37 min
Latest: 9 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

9 Oct 2026 · 52 min

165: Inside Kensington Palace

In this episode of the London History Podcast, Hazel Baker is joined by City of Westminster tour guide Phil Scott for a reign-by-reign exploration of Kensington Palace. Together, they trace its story from its origins as Nottingham House in the Middlesex countryside, through William III and Mary II’s transformation of it into a royal palace, to its spectacular Georgian state rooms and its defining Victorian associations. They discuss Queen Mary II’s hands-on involvement in furnishing the palace, including her remarkable collection of East Asian porcelain; William Kent’s theatrical King’s…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S1 · E164 · 25 Sep 2026 · 39 min
164: Edwardian London: Mario Theodorou’s Historical Thrillers
Step into the restless, glittering and deeply unequal London of 1904 with author, screenwriter and director Mario Theodorou, creator of the Felix Grey Mysteries . Mario joins Hazel to explore the Edwardian capital behind his historical thrillers: a city of political power, royal intrigue, rapid technological change and growing demands for social reform. At the heart of the novels is Felix Grey, an idealistic and inexperienced young Prime Minister drawn into dangerous mysteries of abduction, conspiracy and corruption. Together, Hazel and Mario travel across Edwardian London—from Downing…
S1 · E163 · 11 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 1 min
163: Fighters and Fashion: The Story of Georgian London's Public Combat
Spotify episode description London’s forgotten fighting history comes alive in this episode of the London History Podcast . Hazel Baker explores the brutal, theatrical and hugely popular world of Georgian bare-knuckle boxing — a sport that shaped London’s streets, entertainments and social life. From James Figg, celebrated as the “invincible master,” to Jack Broughton’s influential rules of combat and Daniel Mendoza’s revolutionary style, this episode follows the fighters who made the ring a defining feature of eighteenth-century London. Hazel also examines women’s involvement in the boxing…
S1 · E162 · 26 Jun 2026 · 30 min
162: Building Tower Bridge
How Tower Bridge Was Built: The Untold Story of London's Most Famous Bridge Discover the remarkable history behind Tower Bridge, one of London's most iconic landmarks. Learn how political battles, engineering innovation, and Victorian ambition transformed a transport crisis into one of the greatest bridge-building achievements of the nineteenth century. 00:00 Building Tower Bridge 01:00 Why London Needed a New Thames Crossing 03:00 The Engineering Challenge 05:00 Early Designs and Political Battles 06:00 Choosing the Bascule Design 06:30 Horace Jones and John Wolfe Barry 08:00 The Tower…
S1 · E161 · 12 Jun 2026 · 53 min
161: Life Below Stairs
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…
S1 · E160 · 29 May 2026 · 29 min
160: Soho Square’s Untold Stories: From Charles II to Mary Seacole
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…
S1 · E159 · 22 May 2026 · 44 min
159: Unveiling London's Victorian Vampire Legacy
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…
S1 · E158 · 8 May 2026 · 29 min
158: Finsbury Circus: Marsh to Metropolitan Marvels
The script traces Finsbury Circus Gardens’ transformation from medieval marshland north of London’s wall—created as the Wallbrook’s flow was impeded—into today’s Grade II listed public garden and commercial centre. It recounts Roman burials, later use as a waste dump and tanning area, failed drainage and quarrying, and the successful draining in 1527. The site became home to Bethlehem Royal Hospital (“Bedlam”) in 1675–76, designed by Robert Hooke, before its demolition in 1814–15 and redevelopment as an elegant oval residential circus planned by George Dance and executed by William Montague…
S1 · E157 · 24 Apr 2026 · 34 min
157: From Factory Floor to Black Market: The Button Theft Scandal
Hazel Baker of the London History Podcast describes late December 1870 at the crowded Worship Street Police Court, where three women—Elizabeth Brown (22), Charlotte Quigley (20), and her mother Charlotte Quigley (45)—are charged with stealing large quantities of buttons from Hackney manufacturer Mr. Williamson. The episode explains why buttons had real commercial value in the booming Victorian clothing trade and how stolen goods could be easily hidden and resold. Detective Chapman traces the missing buttons through East End neighborhoods via shopkeepers such as Isaac Levine of Bethnal Green…
S1 · E156 · 9 Apr 2026 · 37 min
156: Smithfield: London’s Theatre of Public Execution
Hazel Baker introduces Smithfield (West Smithfield near St Bartholomew’s Hospital and Smithfield Meat Market) as a deceptively ordinary open space that for centuries served both as a major market/fairground and a prominent execution site used to project state and church power. With tour guide Maria Alexe’s commentary, the episode traces Smithfield’s execution history from William Wallace’s hanging, drawing and quartering in 1305 to the last clearly documented burning in 1612, noting its particular association with heresy burnings and high-profile traitors, especially the Marian burnings…
S1 · E155 · 27 Mar 2026 · 30 min
155: Tea with Churchill: Amelia Earhart's London Story
Hazel Baker hosts journalist and author Rachel Hartigan on the London History Podcast to explore Amelia Earhart’s lesser-known relationship with London in 1928 and 1932, from Toynbee Hall’s settlement-house ideals to Selfridges displaying her plane and outfitting her after transatlantic flights with no spare clothes. Hartigan recounts how Earhart, then a Boston social worker, was recruited to join the 1928 Friendship crossing backed by Amy Phipps Guest, landing in Wales before reaching Southampton, and how London’s receptions—Ascot, Wimbledon, and events with figures like Winston Churchill…
S1 · E154 · 13 Mar 2026 · 46 min
154: White Conduit House: A Lost Pleasure Garden of Georgian Islington
Hazel Baker traces the story of White Conduit House in Barnsbury, Islington, from its origins as a 1431 Henry VI–licensed water conduit supplying Charterhouse to its later life as an affordable, working-class pleasure garden. She explains how Robert Bartholomew’s 1750s improvements and famed hot rolls and butter made it a London destination, noted by Oliver Goldsmith, and how resident organist James Hook began his career there. In the 1780s the adjacent White Conduit Fields hosted the aristocratic White Conduit Club; disruptions from a public right of way helped prompt Thomas Lord to secure…
S1 · E153 · 6 Mar 2026 · 34 min
153: A Celebration of Sound: The Festival of Britain's Musical Journey
Hazel Baker hosts a London History Podcast episode with author and Lambeth tour guide David Turnbull exploring the musical legacy of the 1951 Festival of Britain and how, 75 years on, music again anchors South Bank celebrations with Danny Boyle’s “You Are Here.” They discuss the Royal Festival Hall’s symbolic opening night and its British-focused programme, the festival’s nationwide reach through choral competitions, mass singalongs and the HMS Campania tour, and the Arts Council’s opera commissions and controversies, including Alan Bush’s Wat Tyler. The conversation traces how the…
27 Feb 2026 · 16 min
BONUS EPISODE 2: The Great London Firsts Quiz
Hazel Baker hosts a special bonus edition of the London History Podcast celebrating over 500,000 streams and downloads and continuing a “London’s firsts” theme with a slightly harder, play-along quiz. Listeners get 12 questions with 15 seconds to think, then the show shares the answer and a short story behind each landmark “first,” spanning Norman and medieval London through the Georgian era and beyond. The topics range across royal power, religion, law, theatre, newspapers and magazines, West End planning, docks and trade, botanic gardens, and public art exhibitions. Hazel invites listeners…
S1 · E152 · 20 Feb 2026 · 45 min
152: The Peasant's Revolt Part I - How it Came About
Hazel Baker of London Guided Walks welcomes you to the London History Podcast for the first of a two-part deep dive into the dramatic events of 1381—often known as the Peasants’ Revolt. Joining Hazel is City of London guide and lecturer Ian McDiarmid, as they unpack why “peasants” is far from an accurate label. Contemporary records and post-revolt indictments reveal that many participants were skilled workers or even minor landowners, challenging long-held assumptions about this uprising. Together they trace the revolt’s roots in three powerful pressures: crushing and unfair…
S1 · E151 · 13 Feb 2026 · 43 min
151: Love of Jane Austen in London
In episode 151 of the London History Podcast, host Hazel Baker is joined by Caroline Jane Knight, who is Jane Austen's fifth great-niece. Caroline discusses her unique perspective growing up at Chawton House, the family estate, and her deep connection to Austen's legacy. She shares anecdotes about Jane Austen's life, her literary works, and her connection to London. Caroline also talks about her efforts to preserve Austen's heritage through her memoir 'Jane and Me,' her role in the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation, and her upcoming project to create a family archive. The conversation covers…
S1 · E150 · 6 Feb 2026 · 45 min
150: Cracking London's Financial Glass Ceiling: The Story of Mary Harris Smith
In this episode of the London History Podcast, host Hazel Baker, a qualified London tour guide, and founder of londonguidedwalks.co.uk, explores the financial history of London and the role of women in this narrative. Joined by Jenny Funnell, a second-generation City of London tour guide, the episode delves into the story of Mary Harris Smith, the world's first female chartered accountant. The discussion covers Smith's origins, her career challenges, her efforts in promoting the employment of women, and her eventual recognition in the male-dominated field of accountancy. The episode also…
2 Feb 2026 · 18 min
BONUS EPISODE Quiz Time: Uncovering London's Firsts Through History
In this special bonus edition of the London History Podcast, the host celebrates reaching over 5,000 followers on Spotify by conducting a quiz themed 'London Firsts through the ages'. The quiz covers significant historical landmarks and events from medieval to Georgian London, asking listeners to identify firsts such as the city's first continually operating hospital, the first long-lived stone bridge across the Thames, and the first systematic building regulations after the Great Fire. The host, Hazel Baker, provides historical context and anecdotes for each of the 12 questions, offering…
S1 · E149 · 30 Jan 2026 · 45 min
149: Milner Square: Through a Hole in the Wall
This episode of the London History Podcast, hosted by Hazel Baker, explores the historical evolution of Milner Square in Islington, London. Initially developed in the 1840s to attract the middle class, the square transitioned into a slum by the 20th century, characterised by multi-occupancy and dilapidated conditions. In the 1970s, Islington Council cleared the slums and rehoused residents, leading to gentrification and rising property prices. The podcast features Susan Oudot, a writer and screenwriter who created the film 'Through the Hole in the Wall,' documenting her family's experiences…
S1 · E148 · 23 Jan 2026 · 33 min
148: Seven Dials in the Interwar Years
The London History Podcast, hosted by Hazel Baker from London Guided Walks, explores the rich history of Seven Dials in London during the 1920s and 1930s. In this episode, Professor Matt Holbrooke discusses his book, 'Songs of Seven Dials,' which delves into the cultural history of the area through vibrant archival research. Seven Dials was a diverse and vibrant community, home to migrant communities, working-class families, and bohemian nightlife. The episode covers the significant libel trial involving Sierra Leonian café owner Jim Kitten and his English wife Emily against a right-wing…
S1 · E147 · 9 Jan 2026 · 27 min
147: The Russian Flu of 1892
📜 London History Podcast | Victorian Britain & Pandemic Fear In January 1892, London went dark. Theatres closed. Streets filled with black crepe. A young royal heir lay dying — while thousands of ordinary Londoners froze, starved, and quietly disappeared.In this episode of the London History Podcast, we explore one deadly week during the Russian Flu pandemic, when Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence, died in royal luxury — and the poor died alone in cold East End rooms. This is a story of pandemic fear, medical inequality, quack cures, and Victorian society under pressure — including the…
S1 · E146 · 26 Dec 2025 · 21 min
146: Jumping Tower Bridge
Step back in time with the London History Podcast as we revisit one of the city’s most daring and heartwarming moments. On a cold, smoggy evening in December 1952, bus driver Albert Gunter faced the unthinkable when Tower Bridge began to rise beneath him. With 40 passengers on board, Gunter made a split-second decision that would make him a local hero and capture the imagination of Londoners everywhere. 🏙️ About The London History Podcast Hosted by London tour guide and historian Hazel Baker, the London History Podcast explores the fascinating, mysterious, and sometimes dark stories that…
S1 · E145 · 12 Dec 2025 · 29 min
145: Feasting in London: History of Puddings, Pies & Markets
Hosted by Hazel Baker from London Guided Walks, episode 145 of the London History Podcast explores nearly a thousand years of London's feasting traditions. The journey begins with medieval banquets at Guildhall, showcasing elaborate feasts that reflected wealth, power, and international trade connections through elaborate meals and public spectacles. The episode then delves into the history of Christmas traditions, including the evolution of the Christmas pudding from medieval frumenty to the iconic Victorian dessert, and the development of mince pies from meat-filled pastries to sweet…
S1 · E144 · 28 Nov 2025 · 37 min
144: Who was Ebenezer Scrooge?
Join Hazel Baker, host of the London History Podcast, as she delves into the character of Ebenezer Scrooge from Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol'. Explore the rich symbolism behind Scrooge's name, his physical and emotional transformation, and the social commentary embedded in the novella. Discover the streets of Victorian London that inspired Dickens' tale and learn how the story's themes of greed, generosity, and redemption resonate even today. Perfect for literary enthusiasts and history buffs alike, this episode offers a comprehensive analysis of one of literature's most enduring…
S1 · E143 · 14 Nov 2025 · 31 min
143: Oliver Twist's London
Discover Oliver Twist’s London with Hazel Baker, tour guide and CEO of London Guided Walks 📖. Explore Dickens’s London, the workhouses, markets, and slums that shaped one of literature’s most famous orphans 👶. Step into Victorian London history, understand child labour, poverty, and urban life, and see the city through the eyes of Dickens himself.From the Strand Union Workhouse to Jacob’s Island, this episode uncovers the real locations behind Oliver Twist, revealing how Dickens’ storytelling exposed inequality, inspired reform, and immortalised London’s streets. Full episode webpage
S1 · E142 · 30 Oct 2025 · 37 min
142: Monsters and Myths of London
Episode 142: The Monsters and Myths of London | Halloween Special 🎃 Welcome to a spine-chilling Halloween special from the London History Podcast! Join host Hazel Baker from London Guided Walks as we explore the terrifying creatures, urban legends, and supernatural tales that have haunted London for centuries. From Victorian fire-breathing demons to medieval spectral hounds, 1970s vampire hunts to stone devils carved in revenge—these are the monsters that refuse to stay buried. 🔥 SPRING-HEELED JACK: The Victorian Terror In February 1838, 18-year-old Jane Alsop answered a knock at her gate. A…
S1 · E141 · 17 Oct 2025 · 31 min
141: Mocked in London Part 1: Umbrellas
London is a city shaped by its traditions—and just as much by those brave enough to break them. In this episode, Hazel Baker uncovers the comic, sometimes outrageous history of umbrella-toting pioneers in London: from Jonas Hanway dodging cabbies’ missiles, to satirical cartoons by Gillray, to the Duke of Wellington’s battlefield bans. Explore four millennia of social resistance, ridiculous trends, and eventual transformation—when Londoners moved from mocking umbrellas as foreign folly to embracing them as city essentials. Discover why every innovation in London seems, at first, scandalous,…
S1 · E140 · 3 Oct 2025 · 39 min
140: The Iron Duke: Gadgets, Survival & Innovation
Step into history with Episode 140 of the London Guided Walks Podcast! 🎙️Join London tour guide Hazel Baker as we uncover The Duke of Wellington. Discover his ingenious survival tactics, fascinating gadgets, and the surprising story behind the famous Wellington boot.
S1 · E139 · 18 Sep 2025 · 30 min
139. Downing Street
Episode 139: Downing Street — A Microcosm of London Step down one of the world’s most famous addresses. Downing Street isn’t just the seat of power; it reflects London’s history, politics, and social change. Discover the stories that shaped a nation from this iconic street.
S1 · E138 · 5 Sep 2025 · 48 min
138. Dockside Gold: How Whales Transformed London
This episode reveals London's hidden connections to some of the most remote places on Earth – from the icy fjords of Spitsbergen to the vast Southern Ocean. Discover how whale hunting shaped everything from street lighting to women's fashion, and why this brutal yet economically vital trade ultimately came to define London's position as a global maritime power. Perfect for listeners interested in: Maritime history, London's hidden past, Arctic exploration, industrial history, Victorian society, fashion history, and the complex relationship between commerce and conservation.

About London History

London History is a English history podcast from londonguidedwalks.co.uk. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: londonguidedwalks.co.uk
Language: English
Category: History
New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 37 min
Latest episode: 9 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1504731070
Rights: 155245

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