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:


28May
20:00 - 21:00
Online Event

Virtual Tour – Historic London Pubs

A look at some of London's most historic pubs, and a vain attempt to answer the age old question - W...

29May
14:00 - 16:00
Whitstable Station - Old Bridge Road, Whitstable, CT5 1RB

Walking Tour – A Walk around Whitstable

A walk around this seaside town on the Thames Estuary, which also has an industrial pastThe historic...

04Jun
20:00 - 21:00
Online Event

Virtual Tour – Up The Cally

Caledonian Road is far from London's tourist trail but that doesn't mean there's nothing to see.  Ca...

06Jun
11:00 - 13:00
Green Park tube (Victoria, Picadilly, Jubilee lines) outside Stratton Street exi...

Walking Tour – Prime Ministers’ Homes

The Prime Minister lives at 10 Downing Street of course! But where have they lived before and after...

06Jun
14:00 - 16:00
Canada Water Station - Deal Porter Way Surrey Quays, London, SE16 2YS

Walking Tour – London’s Port History – Part 4 The Surrey Docks and Dockland

The 4th of 4 walks telling the story of the port of London looks at home the Surrey Commercial Docks...

11Jun
20:00 - 21:00
Online Event

Virtual Tour – The Battle of Waterloo Remembered

This Virtual Tour looks at how the news of the Battle of Waterloo reached London and how Londoners r...

16Jun
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...

19Jun
11:00 - 13:00
Hanwell Station - Station Approach Hanwell, London, W7 3EB

Walking Tour – Historic Hanwell

A walk looking at the engineering marvels of Hanwell in West London - including two projects by Brun...

20Jun
14:00 - 16:00
Elstree and Borehamwood Station - Allum Lane, Borehamwood, WD6 3LS

Walking Tour – Elstree Remember Me – Borehamwood’s Film History

A walk around the former sites of the Elstree studios in Borehamwood, where some of the most famous...

26Jun
11:00 - 14:30
Queenborough Station - Main Road, Queenborough, ME11 5DB

Walking Tour – Queenborough and Sheerness – Two Kent Ports

A walk between the little Kent port of Queenborough and the seaside town of Sheerness via the docksT...

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