Westminster Walks

14/02/2025

Have you climbed any of the three Towers of Islington? My colleagues at Islington Guided Walks lead monthly tours of Canonbury Tower, St Mary's Church Tower on Upper Street and the Caledonian Clock Tower. There are still a few spaces left this weekend for tours of St Mary's Church Tower (tomorrow, Saturday 15th at 11am) and for the Cally Clock Tower (Sunday 16th at 11am and 3pm).

The next available date for a tour of Canonbury Tower is Wednesday 26th February.

Book for all of these tours here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/islington-guided-walks-9921139218

07/02/2025

Whenever I'm in the area on a weekday I always pop into the Bench Cafe within the Goldsmiths' Centre just around the corner from Smithfield Market / Farringdon Station. In amongst the jewellery and creative courses I have just spotted three history events which look interesting. I am going to email them asking if they could categorise their events and also change the white lettering on a yellow background to something that can be read! https://goldsmiths-centre.digitickets.co.uk/tickets

02/02/2025

I'm looking forward to delivering this later this month.

29/01/2025

This looks like an interesting talk. This Friday night.

THIS FRIDAY, 31st January - JOIN US in London at the CTA's NEXT EVENT:
6.30pm (doors 6.00pm)
WHAT THE ROMANS MISSED! - A talk exploring cinemas & theatres along the Edgware Road - By David Smith

Join us for a nostalgic illustrated talk with photos and film clips. Starting at Marble Arch, we will explore the numerous cinemas and theatres until we reach the end of Kilburn High Road—about twenty venues in all.

When the Romans created Watling Street, London’s southern end today has become known as the Edgware Road. However, the Romans left Britain far too soon to appreciate how the Edgware Road developed into a magnificent major entertainment highway.
The various places of entertainment will reveal some fascinating facts and pioneering achievements. Included are the famous Regal Marble Arch (ABC’s flagship); Gaumont STATE (Britain’s largest cinema when built, boasting 4004 seats); Montagu Pyke’s first Cinematograph Theatre, forming a pioneering circuit; the earliest animated pictures shown in a popular Draper’s store; The Metropolitan music hall; The Kilburn Empire; the location of the fictitious Bijou cinema featured in The Smallest Show On Earth (1957).

Our presenter, David Smith, who is both a CTA and FMS member, will present his illustrated talk (with film clips), drawing upon his personal experience of living on Edgware Road in the 1960s and observing many of these buildings.

Event organised by Richard Norman for the CTA

Venue: The Gallery at Alan Baxter Associates, 75 Cowcross Street, Farringdon EC1M 6EL

EVERYONE WELCOME!
TICKETS are £10 plus small booking fee, which include a glass of wine or soft drink and nibbles.
BOOK AT https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/farringdon-100-metres-from-station/alan-baxter-gallery/what-the-romans-missed-exploring-cinemas-theatres-along-the-edgware-rd-by-david-smith/2025-01-31/18:30/t-krevzqa

Photo: auditorium of the Gaumont STATE, Kilburn, courtesy of and copyright Kevin Gooding

24/01/2025

Here are just a few extracts from the lovely reviews and emails I’ve received after leading my Waltham Forest Town Hall tours.

Tours are monthly and mostly on the third Saturday. The next tours will be on Saturday 15th February at 10, 12 and 2pm and they are already half full. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/waltham-forest-town-hall-guided-tour-tickets-931951220187?aff=oddtdtcreator

23/01/2025

Here are just a few extracts from the lovely reviews and emails I've received after leading my Waltham Forest Town Hall tours.

Tours are monthly and mostly on the third Saturday. The next tours will be on Saturday 15th February at 10, 12 and 2pm and they are getting booked up quickly. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/waltham-forest-town-hall-guided-tour-tickets-931951220187?aff=oddtdtcreator

19/01/2025

On Thursday 27th February at 7.15pm I will be talking to Walthamstow Historical Society about the history of Orford House Social Club. More details are on the link. It's just £2 for non-members and you don't need to book.

Back to All Events February Talk Thursday 27 February 2025 19:15 21:15 St Saviour's Church 210 Markhouse Road London, E17 8EP (map) Google Calendar ICS The History of Orford House Social Club Joanna Moncrieff will talk about the history of the Club from its inception in 1921 covering some of the cha...

17/01/2025

This amazing mosaic is one to add to your map It’s in the foyer of the Kimpton Fitzroy Hotel, . has kindly supplied this information. “Designed by Jesse and Henry Rust of Battersea. Also did the mosaics in Battersea Town Hall and the Royal College of GPs on the Euston Road.”

13/01/2025

My next tours of Waltham Forest Town Hall on 18th January are now all full. Future dates are at 10am, 12pm and 2pm on the following Saturdays:

15th February;
15th March;
19th April (Easter Saturday); and
31st May (later date because of other commitments).

Book here

Guided tour around the interior and exterior of Waltham Forest Town Hall with qualified guide Joanna Moncrieff

29/12/2024

Apart from avoiding the crowds on my virtual tour you can also see inside some of the shops such as upstairs at Diptyque in New Bond Street which has a fabulous temporary* space full of Lucy Sparrow’s felt creations. Join me virtually at 5pm UK time today (Sunday 29th) to discover more. *Until 7th January. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-tour-foodie-themed-christmas-lights-tickets-1096802177839?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=1

28/12/2024

Apart from avoiding the crowds on my virtual tour you can also see inside some of the shops such as upstairs at Diptyque in New Bond Street which has a fabulous temporary* space full of Lucy Sparrow's felt creations. Join me virtually tomorrow (Sunday 29th) at 5pm UK time. *Until 7th January. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-tour-foodie-themed-christmas-lights-tickets-1096802177839?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=1

23/12/2024

I’m so pleased to hear this news. The Fitzrovia Chapel is one of my favourite places in London.

This year, The King’s Christmas Broadcast was filmed in the Fitzrovia Chapel, London.

Formerly the chapel of Middlesex Hospital, it is now a space for quiet reflection, discovery and celebration, connecting diverse communities from all faiths or none.

In 1928, His Majesty’s grandfather, King George VI, laid the foundation stone of the building.

The featured Christmas tree was donated to Croydon BME Forum and Macmillan Cancer Support’s ‘Can You C Me?’ project and will be placed in the Royal Trinity Hospice, Clapham, the oldest hospice in the United Kingdom.

19/12/2024

Booked! I have done a tour before but couldn’t resist this. https://www.savebritainsheritage.org/events/item/1071/Tour-of-Charles-Holdens-55-Broadway

15/12/2024

Fancy discovering the best of the West End's Christmas Lights whilst finding out about some of the UK's Christmas traditions and the history of Christmas food along the way? This Friday 20th December at 7pm will be my last real life public Christmas walk this year or join me on Sunday 29th December at 5pm for a virtual tour via Zoom.

In addition I do still have some availability from 27th December for private walks / tours at a time to suit if you have free time then

Joanna's Foodie Themed Christmas Lights Walks and Virtual Tours attract repeat customers year after year. See the best of the West End's decorations whilst hearing about the history of some of our Christmas food and drink traditions.

06/12/2024

You might think this image was taken during the pandemic but it was taken last week. Since Covid the majority of the businesses in Lancashire Court (between Brook Street and New Bond Street) closed down and they have now all been repossessed and boarded up. The lights were on last week but off earlier this week - hoping they are now fixed as I will be leading my first Foodie themed walk of 2024 tonight!

There are some fabulous Christmas displays in the West End this year plus some old favourites too.

These public walks are all Mondays or Fridays but there's still some availability for private walks on other days so please get in touch if you're thinking of booking a walk. https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/foodie-themed-xmas-lights-walks-and-virtual-tours-1382689

27/11/2024

Every year on my Christmas Lights walks people seem surprised to discover there were five Christmas stories by Charles Dickens and not just one.

A Christmas Carol was published in 1843. The Chimes followed in 1844, then The Cricket on the Hearth (1845), The Battle of Life (1846) and The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain (1848).

Each year A Christmas Carol is performed in multiple locations and you hardly hear of the others.

So I was very pleased to discover that this year The Tower Theatre in Stoke Newington will be doing a new musical adaptation of The Chimes. It's taking place on various dates from 12th December and very reasonably priced at £14 / £12 and £8 for children. If you're able to go on opening night tickets are half price!

The Tower Theatre Company's production of the play by David Willis and Conor Linehan, adapted from the novel by Charles Dickens.

27/11/2024

An end to almost a millennium of tradition.

15/11/2024

Tomorrow is the last Waltham Forest Town Hall tour this year. Next one will be on 18th January. There are 2 spaces left tomorrow - one at 10am and one at 2pm.

Guided tour around the interior and exterior of Waltham Forest Town Hall with qualified guide Joanna Moncrieff