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.
Jo –
Brilliant! I learnt so much on this well researched and most enjoyable walk today. I highly recommend Louisa, friendly, approachable and patient to answer any questions, the two hours flew by. Looking forward to booking more walks with you!
Ofer Sagi –
Luisa was incredible, interesting and pretty funny and Death, Debauchery & Doctors in Soho is a pretty great description of what makes this walk awesome!
I love John Snow, hearing more about him was fun and the info about the Devotees of Venus was fascinating as well.
Dr Roger’s was super impressive and learning more about the snatchers was fun too!
Sue –
Most people quietly titter when Soho is mentioned. It is famous. It is infamous.
From royal hunting ground, to hunting ground of the more sordid sort.
The Georgian’s even had their own “TripAdvisor” of what was on offer in the area.
The poor and destitute went to the workhouse, others were not so lucky. Graveyards with bodies piled high, prime targets for snatching and dissection.
Anatomy schools and eventually hospitals were built. Medical history was made here.
John Snow, no not that one in GOT, the old one who knew a bit about cholera, has a pub here named after him.
All of these strands, carefully and very respectively woven together by Luisa.
Never forget, that those poor souls, however they made their money were a daughter, a sister or a mother.
Elizabeth –
I loved my tour so much! Luisa was warm, informative and funny. She was clear, easy to listen to and I learnt lots of interesting facts from her. Great walk!
Lynn Wisbey –
We loved our London Walk with Luisa. What an amazing guide. So knowledgable, well informed and passionate about her subject. She even managed to make details about sexually transmitted diseases fascinating. Who knew such a high percentage of Victorians were sufferers? Well Luisa of course!
Do treat yourself and sign up to one of her walks right now. We can’t wait to join her again. Absolutely the best guide we’ve seen.
Carol –
Luisa is an excellent guide, she made the subject of how people lived and the dreadful conditions of the times very vivid, she made the subject come alive. The 2 hours went very quickly. All the extra information and links to some of the amazing people of the time was an added bonus.
I highly recommend this walk.
Julien –
Luisa was a captivating and very entertaining storyteller. She shared many fascinating stories and facts. She is clearly passionate, has done her own research around the themes of the walk. The 2 hours went very quickly and she made the snack time on 6 feet of bones feel special. Thank you!
Lauren –
I really enjoyed Luisa’s walk. With her medical and journalism background, she is well placed to knowledgeably deliver this tour. Clearly passionate about the history of Soho, she shares her knowledge with her audience in an approachable way. Having done a few walking tours, for me Luisa’s is up there as one of the best.
Anita and Bill –
Great fun, really interesting, got to see some wonderful parts of soho which you could easily walk past. Luisa really knows her stuff and how to engage her audience. If you can do this, do!
Helen & Joe –
We were very fortunate to go the walk ‘Death, debauchery & doctors’ in Soho on 1st March 2026. Our guide Luisa – a retired GP and science journal editor – provided real insight and knowledge into the characters whose homes we passed by. The area itself has a number of hospitals, old graveyards and old homes of very eminent people such Dr John Snow. We would highly recommend this walk and thank Luisa very much for a wonderful afternoon.