London History

Hosted by Hazel Baker from London Guided Walks, episode 145 of the London History Podcast explores nearly a thousand years of London's feasting traditions. The journey begins with medieval banquets at Guildhall, showcasing elaborate feasts that reflected wealth, power, and international trade connections through elaborate meals and public spectacles. The episode then delves into the history of Christmas traditions, including the evolution of the Christmas pudding from medieval frumenty to the iconic Victorian dessert, and the development of mince pies from meat-filled pastries to sweet festive treats. The podcast also highlights the important roles of Smithfield and Leadenhall markets in providing festive foods, describing their transformations over the centuries and their lasting impact on London’s culinary culture. Listeners are invited to explore how food has shaped social customs, political ties, and community celebrations in London’s tasty history.London History Podcast Website

Join Hazel Baker, host of the London History Podcast, as she delves into the character of Ebenezer Scrooge from Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol'. Explore the rich symbolism behind Scrooge's name, his physical and emotional transformation, and the social commentary embedded in the novella. Discover the streets of Victorian London that inspired Dickens' tale and learn how the story's themes of greed, generosity, and redemption resonate even today. Perfect for literary enthusiasts and history buffs alike, this episode offers a comprehensive analysis of one of literature's most enduring characters.00:00 Introduction to Ebenezer Scrooge01:30 The Symbolism Behind Scrooge's Name04:56 Dickens' Masterful Description of Scrooge11:13 Scrooge's Relationship with Jacob Marley13:39 Scrooge's Troubled Past15:31 The Impact of Fezziwig and Belle19:53 Fred and Scrooge's Isolation22:25 Scrooge's Notorious Statements and Their Implications25:05 Bob Cratchit and Scrooge's Transformation27:17 The Redemption of Scrooge31:25 Dickens' Social Commentary and Final Thoughts33:57 Conclusion and other Christmas-themed Podcast episodesVisit the London History podcast webpage

Discover Oliver Twist’s London with Hazel Baker, tour guide and CEO of London Guided Walks 📖. Explore Dickens’s London, the workhouses, markets, and slums that shaped one of literature’s most famous orphans 👶. Step into Victorian London history, understand child labour, poverty, and urban life, and see the city through the eyes of Dickens himself.From the Strand Union Workhouse to Jacob’s Island, this episode uncovers the real locations behind Oliver Twist, revealing how Dickens’ storytelling exposed inequality, inspired reform, and immortalised London’s streets.Full episode webpage

This Halloween special dives into London's chilling urban legends and creepy creatures. Discover the terrifying tale of Spring-heeled Jack, who wreaked havoc in Victorian London with his fire-breathing antics and acrobatic escapes. Journey to medieval Newgate Prison where a vengeful black dog emerged from horrific cannibalism. Explore the spooky origins of the Highgate Vampire and the media frenzy that ensued. Each story reveals the social fears of its time, showcasing how folklore evolves yet remains ever haunting.

London is a city shaped by its traditions—and just as much by those brave enough to break them. In this episode, Hazel Baker uncovers the comic, sometimes outrageous history of umbrella-toting pioneers in London: from Jonas Hanway dodging cabbies’ missiles, to satirical cartoons by Gillray, to the Duke of Wellington’s battlefield bans. Explore four millennia of social resistance, ridiculous trends, and eventual transformation—when Londoners moved from mocking umbrellas as foreign folly to embracing them as city essentials. Discover why every innovation in London seems, at first, scandalous, and how mockery drives progress. Tune in for real tales of Georgian gentlemen, Victorian entrepreneurs, royal umbrella endorsements, and cheeky street urchins—and meet the original Londoners who changed the city, one soggy stroll at a time.

Step into history with Episode 140 of the London Guided Walks Podcast! 🎙️Join London tour guide Hazel Baker as we uncover The Duke of Wellington. Discover his ingenious survival tactics, fascinating gadgets, and the surprising story behind the famous Wellington boot.

Episode 139: Downing Street — A Microcosm of LondonStep down one of the world’s most famous addresses. Downing Street isn’t just the seat of power; it reflects London’s history, politics, and social change. Discover the stories that shaped a nation from this iconic street.

This episode reveals London's hidden connections to some of the most remote places on Earth – from the icy fjords of Spitsbergen to the vast Southern Ocean. Discover how whale hunting shaped everything from street lighting to women's fashion, and why this brutal yet economically vital trade ultimately came to define London's position as a global maritime power.Perfect for listeners interested in: Maritime history, London's hidden past, Arctic exploration, industrial history, Victorian society, fashion history, and the complex relationship between commerce and conservation.

The Remarkable Story Behind the World's First Underwater Tunnel | London History Podcast Ep. 137In episode 137 of the London History Podcast, join host Hazel Baker and guest Katherine MacAlpine, Director of the Brunel Museum, as they delve into the fascinating history of the world's first tunnel under a river - the Thames Tunnel. Built by the pioneering father-son duo Marc and Isambard Kingdom Brunel in the Victorian era, this podcast explores the challenges, innovations, and engineering genius that made this groundbreaking project possible. Learn about the tunnel's construction, its transformation into a pedestrian foot tunnel and later a railway tunnel, and the legacy of the Brunel family. Discover artifacts, stories, and the impact of this historic achievement on modern engineering. Don't miss out on exclusive glimpses into the Brunel Museum's exhibits, including Mark Brunel's personal items and the intriguing events surrounding the Thames Tunnel.00:00 Introduction to the London History Podcast00:43 The Brunel Family and the Thames Tunnel01:58 Challenges and Innovations in Tunnel Construction05:43 Financial Struggles and Public Perception23:44 The Tunnel's Legacy and Modern Impact31:02 Upcoming Exhibitions and Events at the Brunel Museum34:05 Conclusion and Special OfferMore content at https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast

🎙️ London's Printing Revolution & the Birth of Children's Literature | The London History PodcastJoin Hazel Baker for a fascinating journey through 1740s London, a city alive with ink, ambition, and innovation. In this episode of The London History Podcast, we uncover how a tiny chapbook, Tommy Thumb’s Pretty Song Book, helped transform childhood reading – and how a widowed woman publisher, Mary Cooper, quietly reshaped literary history from her shop on Paternoster Row.📚 Discover:The buzz of London’s book trade around St Paul’s CathedralThe Statute of Anne and how it revolutionised copyrightMary Cooper and Thomas Longman – trailblazers of modern publishingThe engraving artistry of George Bickham the YoungerWhat was inside Tommy Thumb’s Pretty Song Book – and what was lostWhy only two copies of the book are known to surviveHow nursery rhymes travelled from street cries to storybooksThe hidden role of women in the eighteenth-century print tradeThis episode is packed with rich detail – from political tensions of the Jacobite rising to the changing face of children’s literature, and from the smells of damp paper to the sound of rhymes still sung today.🎧 Whether you are a book lover, historian, educator, or simply curious about the untold stories behind everyday culture, this episode will leave you seeing nursery rhymes – and London itself – in a whole new light.🔔 Subscribe to never miss an episode💬 Share with someone who loves history, literature, or London🌐 Find bonus content at: https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast