Overview

The Pioneering Women's tour in the city of London includes the rarely mentioned female architects who have contributed to our city’s skyline but don’t always get the name-check. Hear about the women who invested wisely or sometimes unwisely in the 1700s, the first woman to become a chartered accountant, and the successful female shopkeepers of Cheapside. Find out about the four Queen’s heads and three ghosts alongside the first woman to be acknowledged for heroic self-sacrifice and whose good deeds helped create a memorial in Postman’s Park. This 90-minute walk introduces you to some inspirational ‘female firsts’.

Description

Stop At: Mansion House of City of London, Walbrook, London EC4N8BH

On this tour we stop and hear about the origins of Mansion House, the official residence of the city of London mayor. Naturally, we talk about the female incumbents

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Guildhall, Gresham Street, London EC27HH

Our tour hears about the origins of The Guildhall and how over the centuries its been used to try several famous women. Including Anne Askew, Lady Jane Grey, Annie Besant and Sylvia Pankhurst

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Postman's Park, 2 King Edward Street, London EC1A1HQ

Discover the memorial to heroic self-sacrifice and the story of the first woman to inspire the creation of this site.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Christopher Wren's Temple Bar, Entrance TO Paul's Cathedral Next To St. 10 Paternoster Square, London EC4M7AL

We visit this relic of city gatekeeping and hear how it was saved from destruction by the 'Banjo-playing barmaid' Valerie Meux.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Stationers Hall, Stationers Hall Stationers Hall Court Ave Maria Lane, London EC4M7DD

Hear about one of the inspiring female poets whose skillful work has been largely ignored but is endlessly debated as 'Shakespeare's muse.'

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Old Bailey, Old Bailey, London EC4M7EH

Discover the woman who helped reform our prison system and inspired the prison reform act in 1813

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Christchurch Greyfriars Church Garden, King Edward St, London EC1A 7BA, UK

We will stop by this beautiful monument to see how creative planting has a nod to the splendor of the church when Wren rebuilt it. We'll also hear about the fighting female ghosts who have caused terror to watchmen over the years.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Change Alley, Change Alley, London EC3V, UK

In these dark secretive alleyways, we'll hear about the origins of the coffee shop and why women were barred. But it didn't stop all of them from using their wealth to dabble in the stock market

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: City of London Magistrates' Court, 1 Queen Victoria St, London EC4N 4XY, UK

Find out about the plaque dedicated to Mary Harris Smith on the side of the City of London Magistrates Court and celebrate her perseverance for seeking professional status.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: No. 1 Poultry, 1 Poultry Street, Cnr Poultry and Queen Victoria Streets, London EC2R8EJ

What connects this POMO building with a fierce roman warrior? This controversial building invites criticism but its what lies beneath that is so intriguing.

Duration: 5 minutes