History Walks, Talks, Films & Tours

In London

Black History Walks offer walking tours, educational talks and films in London. We work with museums, schools, communities and universities to deliver a diverse and engaging programme of educational experiences for students, sightseers, businesses, film fans and anyone with an interest in history and learning. Read our revolutionary book ‘Black History Walks in London Volume 1‘ HERE   See our new James Baldwin plaque HERE

The dedicated Black History Walks team has been delivering some of the best walking tours in London for 18 years and has 25 years’ experience delivering film screenings and talks. In 2024 in association with New Balance, we curated the first ever Black History Run, see video HERE. Our helicopter tour of London can be seen HERE

For our unique and pioneering GCSE History exam text book for schools produced in collaboration with Pearson Edexcel and used by 15,000 pupils in 140 schools, click HERE. The book features Black British Civil Rights activism in Notting Hill and is based on our walk in that area. BHW was Activist in Residence at UCL Sarah Parker Remond Centre (2021) Sign our petition to save 17 years of Black film history HERE

 See below for our NEXT walk, talk, film or river/canal tour

As Seen On

Black History Walks has featured in national publications and on television, including the Evening Standard, Huffington Post, ITV, Channel 4, Teachers TV and the BBC. Conde Nast Traveller listed them in their Best 15 walks in London in 2018 and also ‘Best Summer Events‘ in 2024. The Guardian put them in their Top Ten walks in 2011. They have written ‘Black History Walks in London Volume 1’ the first and only book on the topic of Black History Walks in London. The Black History Walks group has also won several community awards. In 2020 they became the first ever Activist in Residence at University College London’s  Sarah Parker Remond Centre. BHW has also invested in the Nubian Jak blue plaque scheme, most recently to James Baldwin and Billy Waters, and installed 10 such plaques so far HERE

Our walking tours of London provide the ideal travel experience, learning activity or networking opportunity for everyday walkers and corporate clients

We offer in-person and online talks, delivered by professors and academics who excel in their fields of study. Previous audiences range from the Bank of England and the Houses of Parliament to schools and NHS settings.

The African Odysseys film programme, which offers a monthly spot for Black films (plus Q&A) at the BFI Southbank, curated by BHW and other community activists, has been running for 18 years. It is the only scheme of it’s kind in the country and has screened thousands of films to tens of thousands of people.

We have also developed an extensive list of resources to help teachers, pupils and the public learn more about Black History.

For our unique and pioneering GCSE exam text book for schools produced in collaboration with Pearson Edexcel click HERE. The book features Black British Civil Rights activism in Notting Hill and is based on our walk in that area.

Black History Walks is committed to providing exceptional educational experiences that help to uncover the 3,500 years of Black History in Londo

Black History Walks & Tours

There are 18 London walking tours to choose from. The walks take place in ten different areas between February and November and last approximately two hours.

Three indoor walking tours take place in London’s top art galleries — Tate Britain, National Gallery and The Wallace Collection.

Times can be tailored to meet the needs of your group and private walks are available on request. Check out the reviews from previous walkers below and join our free mailing list to get advance notice of upcoming events. Ready to book? Check for the next public walk as listed here. If there are no public walks you can request a private walk here.

Black History Talks

We offer a wide range of public monthly Black History talks, which are delivered online or in locations of unique historical and cultural interest.

Click here for a list of the next public talks.

For private groups there are over 40 interactive, short to long, multimedia presentations to choose from. These are suitable for a wide range of settings — school assemblies, university lectures, community groups or staff events. Click here for details of our private  and bespoke talks

The venues for in-person talks are chosen with care and have previously included libraries, art galleries and lecture theatres. Talks are available year-round and our popular Queen Nzingha lectures provided by African Caribbean female academics/experts are hosted every month. A full list of upcoming events is available here.

Black History Courses & Resources (Schools)

For our unique and pioneering 2021 GCSE exam text book for schools produced in collaboration with Pearson Edexcel click HERE. The book features Black British Civil Rights activism in Notting Hill and is based on our walk in that area.

Senior consultants from Black History Walks produced a mini-documentary in collaboration with Teachers TV in 2011.

This four-part video is available online along with an extensive list of resources (including websites, DVDs and books), designed to assist teachers, pupils and the public in exploring the issues raised in the documentary and general Black History.

Subscribe to the Black History Walks YouTube channel to stay up to date with our latest videos.

About Black History Walks

Black History Walks was set up in 2007. Since then, the group has established a reputation for its diverse programme of high-quality walks, tours, talks, educational courses, resources and film events. Black History Walks is committed to providing exceptional experiences that educate people about Britain’s Black history. ‘Black History Walks in London Volume 1’ published by Jacaranda Books is out now on Audible and all good bookshops. It is the first guided walk book on London’s African/Caribbean past.

The organisation has developed a collective, which includes a diverse range of contributors, including athletes, teachers, artists, film-makers and academics who collaborate to deliver a programme of walks, talks, films and events throughout the year. The Black History Walks team includes PhDs, authors and professors, enabling us to provide the highest levels of expertise. We pride ourselves on the variety, consistency and quality of the educational events we offer.

We have also teamed with Nubian Jak plaques to install plaques in honour of outstanding African/Caribbean people. Plaques for Dennis Brown, Frank Chrichlow, Dr Harold Moody, Phyliss Wheatley, Dr Cecil Belfield-Clarke, James Baldwin, Emma Clarke, Sarah Parker Remond and Darcus Howe have already been unveiled and more are to come. If you would like to sponsor a plaque please get in touch.

Black History Walks in London Vol 1  is published by Jacaranda Books and also available on Audible

Upcoming Walks & Tours

Saturday 24th May 2pm

This walk links the Imperial War Museum with the Cumin Museum of Ancient Egypt. It illustrates more than 200 years of Black history with tales of the Will Smith of 1800’s London, the strategic planning of the Windrush generation, African

Sunday 4th October 2pm

Three-hour bus drive showing London’s top tourist attractions from an African/Caribbean perspective. Join us on our three-hour drive showing London’s top tourist attractions from an African/Caribbean perspective. There is at least 2000 years of Black history to be uncovered! The

Friday 6th June 10am

Join us for the exciting unveiling of the Dr Beryl Gilroy plaque to honour her pioneering work in education and psychotherapy Come join us for the exciting unveiling of a blue plaque in honour of the remarkable Dr Beryl Gilroy.

Sunday 27 April 10am

Millions of people walk through Trafalgar Square every day and have no idea of the centuries of African history under their feet and in front of their eyes. Your guide will expose the links between Africa, India and the Caribbean

Saturday 6 April 3pm

Unique tour of the 200 year old waterway from an African/Caribbean perspective showing the secrets and lies of London’s industrial past. Explore quiet backwaters, hidden streets and busy highways while filling in the blanks on the banks of a long

Saturday 29 March 10am

This special walk delves into an amazing depth of African/Caribbean history between Soho Square and Russell Square: It features: Ancient African civilisations Black Female entrepeneurs and abolitionists The Marcus Garvey connection Academia and the white curriculum Black British Civil rights

Sunday 30th March 2pm

Interactive walking tour of the hidden African/Caribbean history in London’s posh Mayfair area from 1920s to 2020s Mayfair is not traditionally associated with the Black presence but there is a great deal there. We will explore and expose multiple, fascinating

Saturday 12th April 10.00am

On this unique tour we will cover: Ancient African civilisations, the East Croydon links in your face Christianity and Black people, The under-recognised influence of the Black church Invisible Black banks of the 1970s and their concrete legacy in 2024

Sunday 6th April 11am

Multiple and stunning revelations of the Black performers and productions that have graced the stages of London’s West End theatres Explore the hidden history of African presence in the West End’s theatre district. With a recent explosion of Black productions

Sunday March 23rd 10am

This walk recognises 75 years since the SS Windrush arrived from the Caribbean.This tour starts with the 1950’s and goes right up to the 21st century. We will cover: Black music history soul, reggae, rave and acid: the legendary 4

Saturday April 5th 10am

In 120 minutes your guide will take you through hundreds of years of the African presence and contribution to London’s way of life. Discover secret alleyways and enormous buildings all connected to Africa and the Caribbean in ways which the

Sunday 16 March 10.30am

There is much more to Notting Hill than Carnival but even that history is often mis-represented. Find out about pioneering African/Caribbean people who literally fought for equality and laid the foundation for modern multi-cultural London. Why does Portobello Road have

Sunday 9th March 12pm

Black history walk featuring slavery’s financial links in the City and Black resistance strategies to oppression then and now This Black history walk features several financial institutions, Lloyds of London insurance in particular, and will show how they made money

The British Film Institute (BFI) plans a redundancy that would end the 17-year-old African Odysseys programme. Sign the petition to save it HERE African Odysseys was set up in 2007 by Black community activists who were already showing films at

Sunday 1st June 2.30pm

Relaxed sightseeing cruise on Regent’s Canal with commentary and educational references on the centuries of African/Caribbean history There are centuries of Black history across Britain’s canal networks. This guided cruise behind King’s Cross will expose and explore some of that

Saturday 7th June 11am

See London’s African/Caribbean history from 1000 feet up as we hover over London landmarks and connect the hidden Black history dots Black History walks… in the sky! Become a ‘skywalker’ as we fly over London’s famous sites and show the

Saturday May 24th 2pm

3 hour cruise along the Thames from Temple to Greenwich and back showing the thousands of years of African/Caribbean history on display. About this Event Your private, double-decker boat will start from the Temple Pier near Temple tube station on

Sunday 3rd November 1pm

Multiple and stunning revelations of the Black performers and productions that have graced the stages of London’s West End theatres Explore the hidden history of African presence in the West End’s theatre district. With a recent explosion of Black productions

Sunday 20 October 11am

Our African focused tour of the National Gallery reveals the many and varied Black presences to be found in the paintings from 1500 to 1900s Image of the Black in the National Gallery. From the margins to the centre.From objects

Sunday 6th October 11am

Tate Britain is the home of British art from 1500 to the present day where we see Black presence move from the object of economic capital to creators of cultural capital mirroring the changing position of Black folk in British

Saturday 9th November 10.00am

On this unique tour we will cover: Ancient African civilisations, the East Croydon links in your face Christianity and Black people, The under-recognised influence of the Black church Invisible Black banks of the 1970s and their concrete legacy in 2024

Reviews of Black History Walks, Tours & Talks

Don’t miss out some of the most fascinating and historically interesting events in London. Sign up to our free newsletter for updates on coming events or book one of our walks and talks today!