The Women who made Soho

Join Michael as he looks at how women helped make Soho what it is today.

We’ll meet Casanova’s lover, a bigamous duchess and controversial club owners. We’ll also discover the strange story of Britain’s first famous transvestite.

There will be dark stories of exploitation, and this being Soho there will be sex, brothels, parties, nudity, drunkenness and foul language.

But there will also be inspiration, humour and hope. Three hundred years of Soho history and the women who helped shape London’s most bohemian quarter.

Given the content of the walk it’s unsuitable for younger children.

PRE-BOOKINGS ONLY.

IMPORTANT: Attendance on any walk can only be guaranteed through pre-booking. If you cannot pre-book here but wish to attend, you are welcome to do so, but you must please give me prior notice of your intention to attend.

The walk starts at Piccadilly Circus. Please check travel arrangements on the day at Transport for London’s Journey Planner site.

LATEST REVIEWS FROM TRIPADVISOR

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186338-d3742632-Reviews-Footprints_of_London-London_England.htm

Enjoyable walk in the Savile Row area

Nov 2024 • Friends

I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend the Footprints ‘Savile Row and the birth of British style’ walk with Michael Duncan. There was much to see in a relatively small area with lots of interesting facts. Especially good was the opportunity to go into a couple of places – a fact mentioned in an earlier review which enticed us to join.

Style & Scandal in St James’s with Michael Duncan

Nov 2023 • FriendsMichael was a personable guide, very knowledgeable and well informed. He told us many interesting anecdotes which made the walk come alive. A thoroughly enjoyable walk which I would definitely recommend to others.

Super interesting and enjoyable!

Wholly engaging with great stories of the ‘Women who made Soho’. A most charming, friendly and amusing guide too. We loved it all and will definitely be exploring future walks guided by Michael Duncan.

Feb 2023

Interesting tour and charming tour guide

What a fabulous way to spend 1.5 hours on a Sunday morning. Wandering from Piccadilly to China Town via Soho’s wonderful back streets, Michael introduced us to some of the women who were important in this part of London over many, many years. (I am inspired to look them all up now and delve further!). Wonderful to hear stories of how these women took some control of their life in London. Prior to the tour I had heard of so few of the women he spoke of and had little idea of the influence they had. Michael was clearly knowledgeable and it was an easy going and fascinating tour. Highly recommend it.

Patsy T November 2022

An informative, amusing and revalatory walking tour about the Women Who Made Soho led by Michael Duncan. Staring at Picadilly and wending our way through the streets of Soho (which I had only every walked through to get to somewhere), Michael was well researched and revealed the women of this part of London to be brave, spirited if mainly unconventional for their times. A marvellous way to spend a Saturday morning. Many thanks Michael.

Apr 2022

Bringing alive the women who made Soho

“I went on a walk called ‘The women who made Soho ‘ with our guide Michael last Saturday.

The walk took us to some really interesting buildings and side streets and Michael brought alive the colourful past with tales of the spirited and entrepreneurial women who lived there over the course of the last 300 years .

The tour was fascinating, about the right length and Michael was an amusing and friendly guide who I would definitely recommend.”

April 26th 2022