Wayne Fox has been exploring London’s heritage since the moment he could walk, but it wasn’t until 2024 that he took the plunge and became a tour guide. He can often be found on the old streets and alleyways giving his two signature tours: one follows the flames of the Great Fire of London, the other traces nearly 2000 years of history that lays hidden in plain sight.

On this episode, we hear how Wayne’s childhood shaped his interest in history, from bottle digging with his friend Pete to riffling through the pages of encyclopedias gifted by his grandparents. We find out how his career as a magician enhanced his ability to connect with large audiences, and how the encouragement of his father and aunt was the final push needed to launch his guiding career. Finally, we learn how Wayne amassed a large social media following, and recorded an audiobook that transports listeners to old London.

CHAPTERS

(00:00) Intro (01:48) Childhood love of history (04:58) Working as a magician (07:13) Reconnaissance trips (09:15) The first ‘Great Fire’ tour (14:26) Making tours magical
 (16:55) The ‘Hidden London’ tour (20:37) Social media success (27:01) Outro

To book Wayne’s tours, download his audiobook and watch his hidden history videos, head to https://instagram.com/thefoxinlondon

Follow the podcast and more at https://instagram.com/londonwithjeremy



For tours with Jeremy John, head to https://historyupclose.com

Imagine walking in the footsteps of historical figures and fictitious characters from London’s past. Each week, Fiona Johnston and Alex Gordon do just that, introducing visitors of all ages to the original locations connected with William Shakespeare, Sherlock Holmes, Doctor Who and more.

On this episode, Fiona and Alex share how they took what they had learnt in drama school and combined it with their passion for London’s heritage to bring a theatrical flair to their guided walks. Despite being accomplished performers, they reveal that their first tours challenged them in unexpected ways, requiring perseverance and creativity to find their stride and excel in their new roles as guides. They also discuss the intricacies of themed tours, and the secrets to create engaging experiences that please both fans and newcomers alike.

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro

(02:36) Backstories of Fiona and Alex

(08:18) The first ever tour

(12:03) Shakespeare’s London

(17:50) Sherlock Locations

(28:55) Doctor Who tours

(30:39) Outro

Links:

FIONA JOHNSTON

Instagram: https://instagram.com/fionacosplays93

ALEX GORDON

Instagram: https://instagram.com/gordondagram

JEREMY JOHN:

Tours: https://historyupclose.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/londonwithjeremy

Put your hand out on a busy London street and you might get picked up by one of today’s guests. Danny McIntyre and Greg Smith are licensed hackney carriage drivers. They are part of a tradition that goes back centuries, commonly known today as ‘black cabs’. As well as transporting people across London, Danny and Greg also take curious visitors to the top historical sites and regale them with stories of the city’s past.

On this episode, we uncover how they earned their prestigious licence, including taking an exam that involves memorising 25,000 London streets. They share how they expanded their roles into tour guiding, and we learn about the taxi trade’s longstanding culture of benevolence, including an annual trip that takes children from London’s hospitals on an exciting day out. Finally, we hear about the array of people they have driven around, and how there’s more to being a London cabbie than meets the eye.

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro

(02:36) Backstories of Danny & Greg

(13:00) Cab tours vs walking tours

(17:24) A tradition of benevolence

(20:40) More than driving

(23:32) Quirky & famous passengers

(28:03) Outro

Links: THE CHILDREN’S MAGICAL TAXI TOUR

Website: https://magicaltaxitour.com DANNY MCINTYRE

Website: https://traditionallondontours.com

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Lifeofalondoncabbie

Instagram: https://instagram.com/lifeofalondoncabbie

GREG SMITH

Website: https://cityoflondonguides.com/find/gregsmith

Instagram: https://instagram.com/greglondonguide

JEREMY JOHN: Tours: https://historyupclose.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/londonwithjeremy