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Walks & Tours

As seen in BBC2’s “Great British Story” (2012) and featured in The Guardian’s “Top 10 Best Guided Walks of London” (2011), Conde Nast Traveller top 15 walks in London (2018) Black History Walks provide the best walking tours in London. Read our revolutionary new book ‘Black History Walks in London Volume 1’ HERE

Check out our revolutionary new book ‘Black History Walks in London Volume 1 HERE.  There are 16 walking tours of London to choose from. Each area has been carefully selected for its importance in Black History. Our expert tour guides will help participants to uncover the 3,500 years of Black History in London through interactive discussion and exceptional educational experiences.

Whether you’re a Londoner looking for something new, a teacher interested in booking a London history walk for your students, an overseas visitor seeking an interesting travel experience or a business looking for a unique networking opportunity, Black History Walks has a fantastic offer for you.

The dedicated Black History Walks team, has been delivering some of the best London walking tours for over 17 years. The team involves management consultants, diversity experts, authors, academics and has lectured at some of London’s most impressive venues, including the National Portrait Gallery and the British Film Institute. The walks have featured on the BBC, ITV, CNN and in national publications such as The Guardian newspaper.

Black History Walks are dedicated to providing authentic, stimulating and engaging walking tours that help to educate people from all walks of life about London’s Black History.

What Can You Expect from a Black History Walk?

  • 12 walks to choose from, spread across 10 areas of historic interest throughout London
  • Each walk lasts approximately two hours
  • Three walks take place indoors at London’s most prestigious art galleries – Tate Britain, National Gallery and The Wallace Collection.
  • Periodically we also run bus and river tours.
  • Private walks are available on request
  • Start times can be tailored to the needs of the individual or group
  • All walks are quick and easy to book online
  • Walks take place monthly
  • We highlight and fund Nubian Jak plaques to honour black heroes.

Sign up to our free newsletter to receive updates on upcoming events or scroll through the walks on offer and book today!

Black History Walks in London Volume 1 is out now from Jacaranda Books.

Upcoming Walks & Tours

Black History Canal Cruise: Regents Canal

Saturday 16 June l 12.30pm
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…
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Fighting the slave-master: Past and Present

Monday 27th May 10am
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…
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St Paul’s/Bank black history walk

Saturday May 26th 1pm
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…
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Black History Bus Tour (August)

Sunday 4th August 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…
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Secrets of Soho Black history walk

Saturday 27th May 2pm
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 The Marcus Garvey connection Academia…
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James Baldwin Blue Plaque unveiling

Friday 17 May 10am
Legendary Civil Rights Activist and author will have a Nubian Jak Blue plaque unveiled in his honour James Baldwin author, poet and activist is a legendary figure in literature and…
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Southbank Black History Walk

Sunday 23rd June 10am
An exciting, interactive tour of the African/Caribbean history along the Southbank riverside. We will cover: Africa before colonisation The devastation of WW2 and the link to Windrush Black British Civil…
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Hackney Black History Walk

Sunday May 26 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…
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Black History Canal Cruise: Regents Canal

Sunday 28 April 11.30am
Relaxed sightseeing cruise and picnic on Regent’s Canal with guided commentary on the centuries of African/Caribbean history There are centuries of Black history across Britain’s canal networks. This guided cruise…
Find Out More

Fighting the slave-master: Past and Present

Monday 27th May 10am
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…
Find Out More

Trafalgar Square Black History Walk

Sunday 31 March 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…
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Notting Hill Black history walk

Sunday 17th March 1pm
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…
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Harlem in Mayfair Black History Walk

Sunday 9th June 10pm
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…
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Theatreland Black History Walk

Sunday 17th March 10am
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…
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Black History Bus Tour (March)

Sunday 31st March 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…
Find Out More

Black History River Cruise (May 2024)

Saturday May 25th 1.30pm
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…
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St Paul’s/Bank black history walk

Saturday March 30th 1pm
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…
Find Out More

Black History River Cruises and Bus Tours

In addition to our extensive programme of Black history walks in London, we offer a bi-monthly schedule of river cruises and bus tours. River Thames cruises and history bus tours of London are a popular choice in the summer months.

Watch this video of our three-hour cruise along the Thames from Temple to Vauxhall, then on to the Thames Barrier and back for an idea of what to expect. Your tour guide will highlight the hidden African/Caribbean history on display, some of which dates back 3,500 years, while you sit back and enjoy the people, the music and a wealth of interesting information. You can view our bus tours here.

Contact us, sign-up to our newsletter and follow our social media pages to find out more. You can book any of the walks listed above by clicking on the Book Now button by your chosen activity.

Reviews of Black History Walks & Tours

That was a tour of a lifetime and most enlightening.

Thank you very much for the grand tour of the oldest part of London. That was a tour of a lifetime and most enlightening. Yes, I realise more than ever before how our ancestors and countries contributed to the wealth, growth and grandeur of the British Empire

Professor Norman Maphosa, Vice Chancellor, Solosi University, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Black History Walks
5
2020-07-15T13:35:25+01:00

Professor Norman Maphosa, Vice Chancellor, Solosi University, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Thank you very much for the grand tour of the oldest part of London. That was a tour of a lifetime and most enlightening. Yes, I realise more than ever before how our ancestors and countries contributed to the wealth, growth and grandeur of the British Empire

Deeply knowledgeable and with an activist edge

We enjoyed the walk, and I think it has very much enriched our study of the 18th-century novel and colonialism. I especially appreciated the way in which you used different locations in the City to bring out the connections (unexpected to students) between London wealth, imperial capitalism, and colonial exploitation of Africa and Africans during the era of colonization and slavery. Your presentation was lively and approachable, humorous at times, but deeply knowledgeable and with an activist edge. I’m sure this Black History Walk will be a memorable part of my students’ experience of studying abroad in London.

Elizabth A Bohls, Associate Professor, English Department, University of Oregon

Black History Walks
5
2020-07-15T13:38:10+01:00

Elizabth A Bohls, Associate Professor, English Department, University of Oregon

We enjoyed the walk, and I think it has very much enriched our study of the 18th-century novel and colonialism. I especially appreciated the way in which you used different locations in the City to bring out the connections (unexpected to students) between London wealth, imperial capitalism, and colonial exploitation of Africa and Africans during the era of colonization and slavery. Your presentation was lively and approachable, humorous at times, but deeply knowledgeable and with an activist edge. I’m sure this Black History Walk will be a memorable part of my students’ experience of studying abroad in London.

Really inspiring

Many thanks for the really inspiring tour you gave us today. It was so well put together and the newspaper stories gave it an extra dimension. My companion also found the experience very enlightening. I thought it was a lovely group of people too.

Julie Bart

Black History Walks
5
2020-07-15T13:38:58+01:00

Julie Bart

Many thanks for the really inspiring tour you gave us today. It was so well put together and the newspaper stories gave it an extra dimension. My companion also found the experience very enlightening. I thought it was a lovely group of people too.

One of the most beautiful walks I have ever had

Just a few words from the Guild of Walkers, we enjoyed ourselves immensely. What a tour! Having worked in the city for thirty years, walking in and around, passing those landmarks, images, icons, churches, streets..this was one of the most beautiful walks I have ever had.

Glenda Trew, Guild of Walkers

Black History Walks
5
2020-07-15T13:39:48+01:00

Glenda Trew, Guild of Walkers

Just a few words from the Guild of Walkers, we enjoyed ourselves immensely. What a tour! Having worked in the city for thirty years, walking in and around, passing those landmarks, images, icons, churches, streets..this was one of the most beautiful walks I have ever had.

Our guide was phenomenal

I would like to say, first, that our guide was phenomenal today for our walking tour through Notting Hill. I really cannot thank him enough. He truly made the history and culture of Notting Hill come alive for my students, they said it was the best walking tour they had so far this term so thank you very much!

Omaar Hena, Associate Professor of English, Wake Forest University North Carolina

Black History Walks
5
2020-07-15T13:40:50+01:00

Omaar Hena, Associate Professor of English, Wake Forest University North Carolina

I would like to say, first, that our guide was phenomenal today for our walking tour through Notting Hill. I really cannot thank him enough. He truly made the history and culture of Notting Hill come alive for my students, they said it was the best walking tour they had so far this term so thank you very much!

A true eye opener

I attended the walk today with my family, and I must say it was brilliant, it was a true eye opener for me and my kids. I have been working in the construction industry for over 20 years and today was the first time I felt inspired and not alone. It was a true honour to hear how far our history went back in time and I was so glad my kids were part of that experience. Your guide made my kids feel involved which in turn captured their interest. My kids and I continued talking well after the walk was finished and well into the evening, so again thank you and I can't wait to attend one of the talks!

Denise Smith, Electrical Engineer

Black History Walks
5
2020-07-15T13:42:23+01:00

Denise Smith, Electrical Engineer

I attended the walk today with my family, and I must say it was brilliant, it was a true eye opener for me and my kids. I have been working in the construction industry for over 20 years and today was the first time I felt inspired and not alone. It was a true honour to hear how far our history went back in time and I was so glad my kids were part of that experience. Your guide made my kids feel involved which in turn captured their interest. My kids and I continued talking well after the walk was finished and well into the evening, so again thank you and I can't wait to attend one of the talks!

I cannot recommend BHW highly enough for a school visit

We are studying Migrants in Britain with Edexcel, and to participate in a workshop/talk from one of the authors of the Pearson textbook was a fantastic learning opportunity for our students. His insight and in-depth knowledge of Notting Hill combined with his well-pitched and flexible delivery meant our students were fully engaged for three full hours, which is some feat! They loved the many jokes and links to their own music tastes, and I am confident that they will retain more knowledge for the final exam thanks to his input. I have rebooked for next year.

Penny Tosney, Head of History - Sheringham High School, Norfolk

Black History Walks
5
2023-07-28T23:23:42+01:00

Penny Tosney, Head of History - Sheringham High School, Norfolk

We are studying Migrants in Britain with Edexcel, and to participate in a workshop/talk from one of the authors of the Pearson textbook was a fantastic learning opportunity for our students. His insight and in-depth knowledge of Notting Hill combined with his well-pitched and flexible delivery meant our students were fully engaged for three full hours, which is some feat! They loved the many jokes and links to their own music tastes, and I am confident that they will retain more knowledge for the final exam thanks to his input. I have rebooked for next year.
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Black History Walks

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