London LGBTQI+ History and Heritage Tour

This tour has it all! First up this area is largely unspoilt having escaped the bombing of WWII which means that you will see beautiful examples of Georgian and Victoria Squares. Secondly you will discover a whole host of LGBTQI+ women whose contribution to the world of medicine, literature and art has been astounding. Your guide will tell you stories of brave and bold women whose choice to live openly queer lives in times of prejudice will surprise you. We shall also talk about Britain's first Trans woman and the help she received to transition from Britain's first Trans man! From Lesbian crime novelists to sexually, bisexual nurses to the sexually fluid Bloomsbury set! We shall walk down into Soho and your guide will introduce you to an LGBTQI + bar where you can partake of an optional drink and the chance to connect and chat with other walkers (not included but encouraged). Your guide has lived in London 40 years and was part of the LGB 80s/90s activism.

Meeting Point

Housmans Bookshop

5 Caledonian Rd, London N1 9DY, UK

Outside the door of Houseman's.

What's included:

• Knowledge of London's Herstory past compliments of your Guide
• A huge dose of pride in establishing a long and dignified herstory
• Exercise in the fresh air with likeminded people
• Suggested further reading and watching material about our subjects

What to expect:

Duration: 2 hours

Tavistock Square

, , London

As we enter Tavistock square you will see the bust of Virgina Woolf whose tumultuous relationship with Vita Sackville West has been the topic of many films and plays.

10 minutes

Russell Square

London, WC1B 5EH

London's second largest square, home to the stunning Fitzroy hotel. The most marvellous Victorian terracotta building which sits on the site of Emmeline Pankhurst's a former house. We talk about her Lesbian Driver Vera 'Jack' Holme!

10 minutes

Bedford Square

Montague Pl, London

A lovely Georgian square home to the first women's college and here we discuss some of the first lesbian activists.

5 minutes

Woburn Walk

Woburn Walk, London, WC1H 0JL

The first pedestrianised walkway from the early 1800s. Home to a bisexual writer who was friends with Virginia Woolf and even wrote about her relationship with a prominent lesbian suffragette

5 minutes

Senate House

Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HU

Now UCL but formerly the ministry of information! Whilst here we discuss the first Trans woman and Trans man both involved in each other's lives and a former student of UCL

10 minutes

Palace Theatre

113 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 5AY

Into Soho from Bloomsbury we start to soak up the atmosphere of the Uk's prominent LGBTQI+ area. But the Palace Theatre is the site of one of the scandals of the early 1900s which involved a lesbian Actress and a Prime Minister's wife!

5 minutes