London History Walks & Courses

Fiction writers are often the first to identify and analyse a social phenomenon. We will examine two centuries of London history through the eyes of novelists and poets, from William Blake to Zadie Smith.

This course will provide an exploration of 300 years of Jewish life, culture and history in London from the small scale resettlement in the 1650s through to the 1950s when the borough of Hackney was home to London’s largest and most diverse Jewish community.

Explore in this interactive lecture course how did the 'Roaring 20s' and the Great Depression impact on London? What was the social and economic experience of Londoners as suburbs grew and modern buildings arrived, along with political and financial uncertainty?

This is an introduction to the history of the Stalin regime in the Soviet Union between 1928 and 1941. Students will learn about key events during the Stalin years and how historians approach them.

London luxuriates in literary references. We follow the footsteps of the authors, poets and playwrights, and some of their creations, as we walk a brand new neighbourhood each week, exploring the literary connections.



London guide: Eleanor Jackson. First meeting point at Green Park tube station, street level, Piccadilly South side.



London guide: Eleanor Jackson.

Uncover the history of North London’s historic districts including Highbury , Friern Barnet and North Finchley, High Barnet, Tottenham, Muswell Hill, Wood Green, Golders Green and the Northern Heights, Hampstead Garden Suburb, Kentish Town, Camden Town and Belsize Park







First meeting place: Saturday 13 January at 11am: Meet outside Highbury and Islington Tube Station (this could be altered if there are engineering works on the Victoria Line. The line closure list for weekend engineering work is only published six months in advance so doesn’t yet go up to January 2024!).

The course covers Norman history of London from 1050 to 1200, in the context of the wider history of England, drawing upon written sources, archaeological evidence, art and selected artefacts to understand the London’s development.

Explore in this interactive lecture course how Londoners faced many challenges: bombing, fires, destruction, caring for the vulnerable while also dealing with work, rationing and blackouts. How did Londoners experience these things, and with what legacy?

During this six-week course, we will explore aspects of Charles Booth’s landmark survey ‘Life & Labour of the People in London’, published in 17 volumes between 1889 and 1903.



This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.