Walks, Talks and Films on the African History of Britain

Listed in the Top Ten Best Guided Walks of London by the Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2011/oct/06/10-best-london-guided-walks

Black History Walks offer guided Walking Tours London to include the African history of London . These take place in St Pauls/Bank, Docklands, Trafalgar Square, Elephant & Castle and Notting Hill area from January to November and last  2-2.5 hours. Next Walks London

• St Pauls/Bank. Sat 28 January 2pm 
• Trafalgar Square. Sunday 29 January 11am
• Notting Hill.  Sunday 29 January
• Elephant & Castle.  dates to be announced

See Walks section above for more details. Private walks are available on request at times to suit you.(For tours of Washington DC, USA  http://www.chocolatecitytour.com/) For tours of Paris  www.walkingthespirit.com

 We also offer films, talks and workshops on a variety of related topics all year long to complement our Walking Tours London. The talks are interactive multi-media presentations designed to suit, schools, colleges, universities, tourists, staff associations, community groups and public events such as product launches or seminars. We arrange public filmshows on history and current afairs in venues all over the country. We provide teacher and parent training, inset days and run long and short term interventions in primary/secondary schools, with classes or individual pupils. We work with 'at-risk' youth and run workshops in YOI's, Secure Units and with probationers

"Our guide's encyclopedic knowledge of the area, and his passion for black history, made for a rich and detailed learning experience.  He was friendly and engaging, frequently involving the students in dialogue and relating his points to places and subjects that are familiar to them.  The students were fascinated throughout and learned a great deal.  We recommend this tour most highly!"   Rebecca Whisnant, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Director of Women's and Gender Studies, University of Dayton

I just would like to say thank you so much for such an awesome talk last Monday! People are still talking about it, sharing the knowledge that was shared with us and walking round with an enhanced pride in their culture and history! It was such an insighful evening, where we learnt so much, so I would just like to say thanks again, and we would love to have you back so you will be hearing from us ! Stella, Student Officer Kent University 

For more details on Walks London, Talks, Films see above menu. Add yourself to our mail list http://www.blackhistorywalks.co.uk/contact-us.html for advance notice of events. To see most recent newsletter http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs084/1102546528894/archive/1108234709257.html

" Is there really any African/Caribbean History in London ? The Windrush only got here in 1948 ! "

One of the most interesting things about the African influence in Britain is that it is all around us in the very streets, institutions and architecture. What is even more interesting is that most of us have been so mis-educated formally and informally, that we are blind to it even when the physical evidence stares us in the face.

Our most popular walk is  in the 'Square Mile' or the City of London. This is the oldest part of London and has a distinct political identity as it has its own Lord Mayor. It is also the centre of wealth creation for Britain but much of that wealth has been, and still is, created by Africa.

Above : The West Yorkshire PBCA came all the way from Huddersfield to do the St Pauls Walk. Courtesy Milton Brown.

'A brisk, informative stroll through the heart of the British Empire.  Our cheerful and intellectually generous tour guide, led us through narrow alleyways and past Roman ruins, within halls constructed by powerful guilds; in the process, he revealed to us both the many layers of British history and the often unacknowledged cultural multiplicity at its core. The tour was exciting, informative and allowed everyone across age, interest, and temperament to participate and learn.  It was a wonderful experience and I would recommend it for all.' Professor Caroline Brown, University of Montreal, Canada.

The unique St Pauls/Bank walk takes inside streets and back alleys that one would never see from the main road. As we meander along the quiet footpaths bit by bit, we uncover the hidden connections between Africa, the Diaspora and the infrastructure of ancient and modern London. We show how certain fraternal societies benefited from African wealth and invested that wealth in academic institutions and charities. We reveal how African names came to be given to streets and areas.

We look at the visual imagery of London and point out the obvious African influences, which are so often ignored despite being quite blatant.  There is even African architecture on display in certain areas although it is not recognised as such due to the euro-centric bias of the education system.

The walk illustrates the presence of Africans from Roman times and the British reaction to immigration as far back as 1596 when the Queen stated there were too many black people in Britain and they should be sent home! Banks and buildings, which were built directly and indirectly with African labour, are pointed out. We discuss the black British soldiers… of 1776 and 1794 and  make comparisons to the black Spitfire and Bomber pilots of  World War 2.

We point out the statues of people like William Beckford (twice Lord Mayor of the City of London) and Sir Frobisher who are both regarded as British heroes but were both involved in kidnapping, forced labour and torture.

Left St Maurice of Heidelberg the African patron saint of Germany portrayed in  the year 1523. Right Lecture on Hitlers Black Victims Imperial War Museum February 2009

We discover the connections between big business and the church by way of the banks and the “old boy network”.  Another location points out the role that minority groups  have played in regenerating inner London areas only to be priced out of them.

There are also walks in the Trafalgar Square, Notting Hill, Elephant & Castle and Docklands, details under Walks menu

To book send e-mail  with date, time and number of people to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Testimonials

"My friend's daughter did it and she said it was the best thing she's done all half term! ”

" Thank you for a wonderful, fantastic, eye-opening walk! My kids are still talking about it 4 weeks later ! "

“I thought I knew a lot but now I can really put things into perspective”

“I worked in this area for 7 years and never knew any of this, it's such an eye opener!”

“This was unbelievable! I always said we built this place but I didn’t know how much!”

"Thank you for an excellent walk"

"Fantastic!"