Since the arrest of a Lewd Woman in Soho Fields for a Breach of the peace in 1641 Soho has been synonymous with vice and its constant companion crime. Join us to explore the history of gangland crime in Soho on this two-hour guided tour.
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Think drug taking in nightclubs is a recent phenomenon? Think again! It was all going on in the 1920's as we will discover on this guided tour. We will also encounter more modern sites linked to high profile criminals with links to Soho, from the Krays and the Richardsons to the lesser known Sabinis, Jack Spot Comer, Billy Hill and Alfred 'Italian Jock' Dimes. As we will discover, many people making real money in Soho were the pornographers and pimps - all helped along by corrupt Metropolitan Police officers and an eager paying public.
What will we cover?
As above
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Identify key sites of interest relating to the history of gangland crime in the Soho area.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Introductory - everyone is welcome. A good standard of English and an ability to participate in a 2-hour guided tour are the only requirements.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Guided tour. No homework.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No other costs. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear for a 2-hour guided tour.
Aidan McManus is an award-winning tour guide, historian, broadcaster, and curator of music-related film events. West London-born of Irish heritage, he was a teenage participant in the city’s early punk scene and later its soul, 2-Tone and rave cultures. His first tour guiding experience came in San Francisco, where he created walks exploring the city’s bohemian subculture, literature and music. Returning to London, he went on to research and build critically acclaimed walking tours on subjects as diverse as gangland Soho, David Bowie’s early years, and the social history of West London. He served as a consultant to Westminster Council for its 2025 Joe Strummer memorial event, and he has been a featured commentator in BBC and Sky Arts documentaries and on Radio London’s Robert Elms Show. He is the host of Flipside London Radio, a fortnightly Portobello Radio programme focusing on books, music, history and youth culture. https://www.flipsidelondontours.com/
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/gangland-soho-from-1900-to-the-present-day3003793Gangland Soho: From 1900 to the present dayhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/https://www.citylit.ac.uk/static/version1768481914/frontend/WilliamsCommerce/citylit/en_GB/Magento_Catalog/images/product/placeholder/image.jpg2929GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/London history & walks/Courses/vm/Courses to do around London2285117711781184167812285117711781653<p>Since the arrest of a Lewd Woman in Soho Fields for a Breach of the peace in 1641 Soho has been synonymous with vice and its constant companion crime. Join us to explore the history of gangland crime in Soho on this two-hour guided tour.</p>003003778Gangland Soho: From 1900 to the present day2929https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/no_selectionInStockDaytimeSatOff SiteAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-03-28T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allMar 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHLW2932929Gangland Soho: From 1900 to the present day231929Aidan McManusgangland-soho-from-1900-to-the-present-day/hlw293-2526<p>Since the arrest of a Lewd Woman in Soho Fields for a Breach of the peace in 1641 Soho has been synonymous with vice and its constant companion crime. Join us to explore the history of gangland crime in Soho on this two-hour guided tour.</p>0000-Available|2026-03-28 00:00:00<p>Think drug taking in nightclubs is a recent phenomenon? Think again! It was all going on in the 1920's as we will discover on this guided tour. We will also encounter more modern sites linked to high profile criminals with links to Soho, from the Krays and the Richardsons to the lesser known Sabinis, Jack Spot Comer, Billy Hill and Alfred 'Italian Jock' Dimes. As we will discover, many people making real money in Soho were the pornographers and pimps - all helped along by corrupt Metropolitan Police officers and an eager paying public.</p><p>Since the arrest of a Lewd Woman in Soho Fields for a Breach of the peace in 1641 Soho has been synonymous with vice and its constant companion crime. Join us to explore the history of gangland crime in Soho on this two-hour guided tour.</p><p>As above</p><p>Identify key sites of interest relating to the history of gangland crime in the Soho area.</p><p>Introductory - everyone is welcome. A good standard of English and an ability to participate in a 2-hour guided tour are the only requirements. </p><p>Guided tour. No homework. </p><p>No other costs. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear for a 2-hour guided tour. </p><p>Please see the London Walks area of our website. </p>HistoryLondon history & walksvirtual232919HLW293NONESat28/03/2614:30 - 16:3014:3016:301 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekendOSOff SiteAidan McManusBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-03-28T00:00:00+00:00Mar 2026Culture, history & humanities2929Gangland Soho: From 1900 to the present daygangland-soho-from-1900-to-the-present-day/hlw293-2526<p>Since the arrest of a Lewd Woman in Soho Fields for a Breach of the peace in 1641 Soho has been synonymous with vice and its constant companion crime. Join us to explore the history of gangland crime in Soho on this two-hour guided tour.</p>0000-Available|2026-03-28 00:00:00<p>Think drug taking in nightclubs is a recent phenomenon? Think again! It was all going on in the 1920's as we will discover on this guided tour. We will also encounter more modern sites linked to high profile criminals with links to Soho, from the Krays and the Richardsons to the lesser known Sabinis, Jack Spot Comer, Billy Hill and Alfred 'Italian Jock' Dimes. As we will discover, many people making real money in Soho were the pornographers and pimps - all helped along by corrupt Metropolitan Police officers and an eager paying public.</p><p>Since the arrest of a Lewd Woman in Soho Fields for a Breach of the peace in 1641 Soho has been synonymous with vice and its constant companion crime. Join us to explore the history of gangland crime in Soho on this two-hour guided tour.</p><p>As above</p><p>Identify key sites of interest relating to the history of gangland crime in the Soho area.</p><p>Introductory - everyone is welcome. A good standard of English and an ability to participate in a 2-hour guided tour are the only requirements. </p><p>Guided tour. No homework. </p><p>No other costs. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear for a 2-hour guided tour. </p><p>Please see the London Walks area of our website. </p>HistoryLondon history & walksconfigurable
11841178London history & walkshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/london-history-and-walks1/2/285/1177/1178/11841/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/London history & walks
