DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT
Una McTernan went on the walk on March 9, 2025. Here’s her review (please be sure to note the penultimate sentence): “We had a wonderful time on this walk with Luisa. We thought we knew Soho but we learned so much in side streets and previously unnoticed historic buildings. This is a walk for locals or visitors: there is something for everyone and especially if you are interested in the history of medicine, social history, and juicy tales of “ladies of the night.” All in historical context from a former doctor and current journalist/writer. We have done regular London walks for many years and this is the best one yet. Do not miss it!”
BILL OF FARE TO THE FEAST
Meet madams of bawdy houses, body snatchers and benevolent doctors in a two-hour walk through the alleyways and past the elegant townhouses of the square mile that is Soho. Find out how Soho got its name, how death, debauchery and do-good doctors all rubbed along together in Soho in the 1700s and 1800s and how some of Soho’s residents had an impact far wider than these colourful streets.
Discover what links “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” with one of the best-preserved workhouses in Soho, hear how executed murderers advanced medical knowledge and how a brave doctor turned detective to discover how 500 people died of Cholera within a few streets in two weeks in 1854. Clue: it was linked to a popular water pump.
We cover just over a mile of Soho, from the Georgian lodgings of a Devotee of Venus to a picnic spot beneath which lies a secret, to the first anatomy school in London and the sites of the first speciality hospitals in London that cared for women and those with the ‘foul’ disease.
There will be some sexual content (historical and tasteful) and some gore. It will be funny and moving – sometimes at the same time.
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE GUIDING
Ready? Strapped in? Here goes. Life force. Particle-Accelerator. Dynamo. Operatic. One woman procession. Surgeon. Author. Distinguished journalist (columnist, Editor, A-List freelancer). “Thinking person’s media personality” (radio and television pundit). All-rounder. Medical doctor and artsy (English Literature First). Londoner. Professionally qualified guide. Friendly. Fun. Charismatic. Effervescent. Make buzz distilled.
Shelley Hayes –
Sun, Soho, and a learned guide! Luisa did an excellent review of the history of the area with special attention to the historical women who survived poverty with creative versions of the oldest profession and the first Black woman nurse to earn a blue plaque. We saw the body-snatcher fueled anatomy school turned theatre and learned about the struggles to share scientific learning with establishment. Wonderful afternoon with a consummate professional.
Stephen Gelb –
What an amazing experience having luisa as out guide .
The sun was shining and Luisa was extremely knowledgable and great at delivering interesting stories of Soho’s past .
Appealing for all ages .
Five star experience from beginning to end
Stephen Gelb –
What an amazing experience my wife and I had on Sunday .
The sun was shining and we were fortunate enough to have luisa as our guide .
Luisa is extremely knowledgable and has a great way of delivering the history of Soho
Appealing to people of all ages who were attending our walk .five star experience from beginning to end .
Andy Griffin –
A very enjoyable Sunday afternoon in Soho in the company of Luisa and her expert guiding.
Luisa opened my eyes to a new side of Soho – I knew about some of the debauchery but not about the doctors and the death!
Bravo Luisa!
Una McTernan –
We had a wonderful time on this walk with Luisa. We thought we knew Soho but we learned so much in side streets and previously unnoticed historic buildings. This is a walk for locals or visitors: there is something for everyone and especially if you are interested in the history of medicine, social history, and juicy tales of “ladies of the night” . All in historical context from a former doctor and current journalist/writer. We have done regular London walks for many years and this is the best one yet. Do not miss it !