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:


07Apr
14:00 - 16:00
Gravesend Station - Clive Road, Gravesend, DA11 0RR

Walking Tour – Gravesend – Arrivals and Departures

Gravesend is where the Thames narrows from its wide estuary - a place where sea journeys have starte...

07Apr
20:00 - 21:00
Online Event

Virtual Tour – Subterranean London

Twelve underground places in London that you can visitLondoners are used to going underground, being...

08Apr
14:00 - 17:30
Plumstead Station - Walmer Terrace, London, SE18 7EA

Walking Tour – Around Tripcock Ness – The History of the Thamesmead Area

A walk that tells the story of the Woolwich Arsenal, Thamesmead and a dangerous bend in the river Th...

08Apr
20:00 - 21:00
Online Event

Virtual Tour – The Thames Estuary

A journey along the Thames from East London to the Sea in the comfort of your own living roomThis fi...

09Apr
20:00 - 21:00
Online Event

Virtual Tour – Stonehenge and other Prehistoric Mysteries

Stonehenge is the world's most famous structure from the Stone Age, but it is not the only prehistor...

11Apr
14:00 - 16:00
Margate Station - Station Road, Margate, CT9 5AD

Walking Tour – Exploring Margate

Margate has long been a favourite with Londoners. This walk looks at visitors to Margate from George...

13Apr
20:00 - 21:00
Online Event

Virtual Tour – The First Voyages of The East India Company

Stories of the fragile beginnings of the East India Company with their first journeys to Indonesia,...

14Apr
11:00 - 13:00
Wandsworth Town Station - Old York Road, London, SW18 1SU

Walking Tour – Wandsworth Industrial History

Wandsworth, at the mouth of the River Wandle was once one of London's busiest manufacturing areas. T...

14Apr
20:00 - 21:00
Online Event

Virtual Tour – Joseph Bazalgette – London’s Great Engineer

Bazalgette is famous for his work on London's sewer system, but he worked on many other projects tha...

16Apr
20:00 - 21:00
Online Event

Virtual Tour – London’s Royal Docks

The Royal Group of Docks in East London were one of the largest engineering projects in London's his...

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