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.
Ian Wallace –
This was my wife and I’s first London Walks, and we absolutely loved every minute! We have lived in London for years, with my wife growing up here, and were fascinated by the history and the world Luisa brought us on during this walk. Seeing Soho in its historical backdrop, unique location, and at the hands of expertise and unique insight was a fantastic way to spend an hour and a half on a Sunday. We would highly recommend this tour, and Luisa especially, for anyone wishing to learn a little more about London’s vast history.
Nick Mayper –
We’ve been on many excellent London Walks, and this was the best. Luisa was engaging, genuinely curious about our perspectives, humble-yet-confident, quite funny, and a wonderful storyteller. If her teenaged daughter is reading this: yes, your mom is…if you dare to believe it…cool!
Alison –
Such a well-informed, engaging and quite unique take on this small area of the city. I mean, that’s quite a spectrum of interests to cover, but it proved to be a very good lens through which to look at London’s development, and its challenges. Particularly good to do it on a sunny Sunday afternoon when we were able to legitimately slow down and notice things we’ve all walked past before. Brilliantly researched, with lots of links to follow up for further exploration. Thank you!
Kate –
Best guided walk ever! Luisa’s guided walk was superb. Funny, moving, horrifying, interesting, engaging and unexpected. We had such an interesting two hours and can’t stop repeating all the interesting and funny facts she told us. Highly recommend.
Michele –
We joined Luisa’s walk on Sunday afternoon.We found it both interesting and entertaining.We knew about the body snatchers from our trips to Edinburgh but learnt about the body snatching which took place in and around Soho.There was also lots of recommendations and we returned to Farrier’s passage and the gorgeous Patissier Chocolatier.We will look forward to another of Luisa’s walks.
Brian Altchuler –
I did the walk on 26th April and would recommend it. Interesting to learn more about an area that I would normally just walk through. Luisa points out areas of interest. Informative and often amusing anecdotes. Luisa is very clear. She makes time for questions and comes armed with relevant pictures/drawings.
Michael Worrow –
A fabulous time was had by all! Luisa was highly engaging and informative throughout the tour, full of amusing and interesting anecdotes from the past. I’ve booked my next day with London Walks in a week’s time.
Peter Stockdale –
Luisa gave a great tour of an area that in theory I already knew pretty well. Great insights into the lives and health issues of the past, and the importance of the area in developing current public health policies. Entertaining, informative and fun. Thoroughly recommended.
Jeff Elsom –
Excellent walk today from Luisa Dillner. Well researched, informative and well presented…and above all great fun! I am a Londoner and know the area well..but Luisa’s stories were an excellent addition to my local knowledge. Don’t miss this walk it’s a great one!
Tim Gifford –
Another wonderful walk by Luisa, bringing to life the three key subjects of death, debauchery and doctors, but also with the scandalous atmosphere of 17th, 18th and 19th Century Soho, the perennial centre of ‘life’. Some very interesting subjects used to highlight the human habits and weaknesses which clearly are timeless traits. Gore, sordid deeds and satisfied customers populate the stories, delivered with irony and considerable humour. A very fine walk and one that should not be missed.