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.
Philip Wolfson –
Excellent and informative tour
Londoner Lady –
Decades of enjoying these tours and what goldmine I found today. Knowledgeable, interesting, funny and truly a delight to guided by! Miss this tour and you miss the heart of London…
Rachel Vanzwam –
Luisa’s tour of death, debauchery, and doctors in Soho was absolutely fascinating and left me wanting more… thankfully she puts 120% into being an excellent guide and emailed me a list of further reading/resources to learn more! 🤩
J. Phillips –
The guide for this tour, Luisa, is extremely knowledgeable and her way of delivering her topic’s focus [death, debauchery, and doctors] of this area of Soho made for a fascinating 2 hours. I highly recommend her tour.
Manda Dixon –
This walk was perfect for me and my son. We love history and the medical elements were particularly interesting. However the best part was Luisa – she has an engaging style of storytelling and a great sense of humour so we also enjoyed chatting with her while we walked between points of interest.
Joanne –
Luisa was a fabulous guide, great history, great knowledge and great area of London! Thank you highly recommend!
Joanne Adams –
Luisa was wonderful! A very interesting walk and talk! Great guide, great history, great area of London! Many Thanks.
Gill H –
Excellent walk. Luisa was engaging and informative , regaling us with tales of Soho. Highly recommend!
Mark Harris –
Excellent and knowledgeable guide. Would thoroughly recommend this walk.
MP –
Excellent. Entertaining, informative and a very personable guide. The 2 hr passed quickly despite the cold