MEET YOUR GUIDE
Meet opposite one of London’s finest hospitals and end at the chapel of a rival hospital that has been razed to the ground. Learn about the medical discoveries at University College Hospital and at the now extinct Middlesex Hospital on the other side of Tottenham Court Road. We’ll talk about the discovery of the hormone aldosterone, early identification of HIV, novel cancer therapies and growing mini eyes to understand blindness among other medical marvels.
In between, explore the architectural gem of Fitzroy Square and learn about some of the characters who have lived there from author Virginia Woolf to artist Tracey Emin of unmade bed fame.
Hear about a buccaneer of the high seas, a mighty Venezualan military leader and see the place that Gandhi visited and serves the cheapest good quality Indian food in London. Look at an optical illusion on the outside of a neuroscience research building, see the site of an old workhouse, international street food, the architectural mix from Georgian to ultramodern and end the tour with a quiet moment in an exquisite Byzantine-style chapel.
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE GUIDING
Ann teaches the next generation of doctors at University College London Medical School. She broadcasts on BBC radio as well as writing a research roundup for the British Medical Journal. She was a health columnist for the Guardian newspaper. She’s a real Londoner. She was born, studied, gave birth and worked in the UCL area as a junior hospital doctor and most recently as a GP for homeless people. She’s written books on women’s health and embarrassing problems so nothing fazes her or makes her blush. Anything else? Yes, she’s a knowledgeable guide specialising in her neighbourhood (the London borough of Camden). In short, an unbeatable combination: local knowledge and connections, lived experience and top flight professional expertise.
Katie Smith –
Loved this walk with Ann. She is very upbeat and warm, and full of excellent knowledge about the area. Highly recommend.
Catherine R –
It was a very interesting walk and Dr Ann shared her expert knowledge of the area and its hospitals, medical development and people who made a difference in their field. Highly recommended!
Lucy J –
A very informative walk with a wonderful guide!
Stef –
Fabulous! Just about half of us were medics [us and uk] telling stories. 2 trips to a pub. Lots of history of UCL and the area , as well as the hospitals.
Very much recommend it!
Minseo Kim –
Dr Ann was very engaging and enthusiastic about sharing her medical and historical knowledge of the beautiful area with lots to see. Some of our stops were the recently renovated UCL main building, the Cruciform Building, a cosy pub and some of the many green spaces in the area. Taking in the knowledge while admiring the buildings in all their splendour was especially inspiring for me. I would thoroughly recommend this tour.
Elise –
Dr Ann’s was a wonderful guide – the two hours whizzed past even though I was fresh off an 18 hour flight! She’s highly knowledgeable and passionate, and it felt like she was taking me on a walk in her very own backyard. Spending an afternoon listening to her talk about a subject so close to her heart was definitely the highlight of my trip.
Natalie Wilkins –
Ann’s tour was full of information, absolutely fascinating and great fun.
max oliver –
This is a very interesting walk round an area of London thats slightly hidden away. I worked in the western part for 5 years but never really ventured across the Tottenham Court Rd much so it was fairly new to me. There are lots of interesting things to see and they were brought to life by the detailed knowledge, fluent delivery, and obvious enthusiasm of our guide Ann, who has known the area most of her life. Her love of the area is very infectious and when I first looked at my watch it was almost over – a sure sign of enjoyment! Thanks Ann for sharing your passion.
Nick Cambridge –
Ann is a very knowledgeable, enthusiastic and charismatic guide. She took us on a two hour fascinating tour around Fitzrovia and Bloomsbury which included the history of University College London, University College Hospital, The Middlesex Hospital, the site of the old Middlesex Hospital workhouse and The Middlesex Hospital Chapel. We also came face-to-face with Jeremy Bentham in his Auto-Icon. I would thoroughly recommend going on this tour.
Dany –
Ann is an incredibly well-informed guide who took us on a wonderful walk. She brought the history of this fascinating part of London to life
with her warm and witty stories of the people and
places we encountered. I particularly enjoyed the
positive and upbeat tone of the tour and would
highly recommend it.