Rob Smith


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Tour guide Rob Smith at a riverside pub in London
Contact 07806 714006 or mail

Rob is a member of Clerkenwell & Islington Guiding Association.

“Despite my 35 years in London” he says “I’m always amazed how you can find a new street that’s got an amazing story to tell. The thing I like best about London is how a tiny thing, like a decoration on a building can tell a big story. When you’re walking you are following in the footsteps of Londoners from the past, it makes the history come to life much more than just reading about it”

Rob is most interested in social history, and the way that inventions have changed people’s lives, but he always makes room in his walks to tell the stories of his London heroes.

Rob’s walks take him all over London, and beyond with a series of walks along the River Thames heading out East of London towards the Thames Estuary. You can also join him on day trips out of London to places like Rochester, Reading and St Albans.

He has written a book The Industrial History of the Lower River Lea based upon one of his tours.

He has worked on TV with The Hairy Bikers on The Pubs that Made Britain, featured in a film about Barking Power Station, and appeared on a programme about the East India Company for Iran International TV, featured in a documentary about the Great Smog on French TV and worked with ITN News reporter Sally Williams. Rob has appeared on the Radio 4 programme Screenshot with Mark Kermode and on History Hit Podcast with Dan Snow.

When not out walking, Rob also teaches London History courses at Morley College, South Thames College and Bishopsgate Institute.

His current Footprints of London walks and online virtual tours are:


06Nov
06 - Nov
14:00 - 16:00
Outside Charing Cross Station - The Strand, London, WC2N 5HF

Walking Tour – Vine Street – West End Crime Stories

Vine Street was once home to one of London's busiest police stations. This walk looks at some o...

11Nov
11 - Nov
20:00 - 21:00
Online Event

Virtual Tour – Africans in London

A look at some of the people who were born in Africa and came to London, from Roman times to the pre...

13Nov
13 - Nov
11:00 - 13:00
Angel Tube Station - Islington, London, EC1V 1NE

Walking Tour – Up and Down The City Road

A walk along Islington's City Road - home to innovative hospitals, company headquarters and a l...

13Nov
13 - Nov
14:00 - 16:00
Outside Kings Cross Underground Station (Euston Road exit) - Euston Road, London...

Walking Tour – The Hidden River Fleet Kings Cross to the Thames

Many Londoners cross the River Fleet every day without realising it. This walk traces the route of t...

19Nov
19 - Nov
20:00 - 21:00
Online Event

Virtual Tour – On The Trail of the Peasants Revolt

In 1381 protests against the Poll Tax led to a violent uprising in Essex and Kent - and then the reb...

20Nov
20 - Nov
14:00 - 16:00
Farringdon Underground - 39 Cowcross St, London, EC1M

Walking Tour – Il Quartiere – Tales From Italian Clerkenwell

Tales of love, bravery, crime and friendship from Italian Clerkenwell 1830-1950   From the mid 19th...

21Nov
21 - Nov
11:00 - 12:30
Warren Street Station - Warren St, London, NW1 3AA

Walking Tour – Francisco de Miranda – a South American in London

Francisco de Miranda was the founder of modern Venezuela. But he spent a lot of his life in London p...

21Nov
21 - Nov
14:00 - 16:00
Tower Hill Station - Trinity Square, London, EC3N 4DJ

Walking Tour – London’s Port History – Part 1 the Roman and Medieval Port

The first of four walks telling the story of the Port of London. The walk starts with the Romans wal...

23Nov
23 - Nov
20:00 - 21:00
Online Event

Virtual Tour – Churches, Castles and Country Towns – a Lincolnshire Journey

A history filled tour of one of England's largest counties Take a break from London for a virtu...

25Nov
25 - Nov
20:00 - 21:00
Online Event

Virtual Tour – Made in London – A Tour of The British Museum

Treasures from the British Museum that were either made or found in London The British Museum is ful...

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