Daytripper: Discover London's hidden history
Black London walking tours
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.What is it?
For the past five years the black historian and writer S I Martin has been guiding walking tours through London pointing out the haunts of forgotten black British radicals, soldiers and artists who lived in the capital. Among these characters from the city's hidden past, Martin highlights the 18th-century writer and composer Ignatius Sancho who lived in Charles Steet (where the Foreign & Commonwealth Office now stands), Mary Seacole, the Crimea's black Florence Nightingale, who lived in Tavistock Street, and Olaudah Equiano, a former slave who became an eloquent abolitionist and was a devout worshipper at St Martin-in-the-Fields. Tours last around an hour - depending on how fast you walk.
Where is it?
Martin meets his groups outside Westminster Tube station (look for the man with the dreadlocks, holding up Black London brochures outside exit four, just opposite Big Ben). All the walks end at Covent Garden's Piazza.
Something for the children?
The walks have been specially tailored for groups of school pupils in the past. Martin adapts the way he relates the tales to suit the age of his audience - as well as pacing the walk a little more slowly for shorter legs, of course.
Something for the adults?
Paul Robeson fans will be interested to know that the singer played Othello at The Savoy Theatre during the 1930s, when he was searching for better roles outside the US. But did you know that he wasn't the first black Othello to tread the British boards? In the 19th century Ira Aldridge, the first black actor ever to perform on the UK stage, played the Moor at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
I'm hungry
At the end of the walk in Covent Garden, a quick stroll round the corner to King Street will bring you to the Calabash Restaurant, in the Africa Centre, which serves African food. Alternatively, reasonably priced pub food can be ordered in the upstairs bar at the Essex Serpent, also in King Street.
Can we buy a souvenir?
African artefacts of all kinds - books, CDs, cloth and carvings can all be bought at the Africa Centre on King Street. The centre also sells books that relate specifically to the Black London experience over the past three centuries.
How do we get there?
Westminster Underground station is on the Jubilee and District lines. The number 53 and 12 buses stop outside the Tube station.
Will there be queues?
No, because you have to pre-book the tour by phone.
Admission: £6 per person (no concessions) booked through Black London tours, 7/136 Coldharbour Lane London SE5 9PZ (020-7326 4429; email simmart@btinternet.com).
Hours: 10am-6pm daily, or by prior arrangement.
Disabled access: not suitable for people with limited mobility because there are lots of steps to negotiate.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments