Discover London

Derek O'Reilly and Olivia Cox interview Vivien Schrager-Powell, tour guide for Footprints of London, about the history of Southwark

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Join Derek O'Reilly and Olivia Cox as they interview a Historian.

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Derek O'Reilly visits Kenwood House. The idyll stately home in Hampstead, London that was constructed in the 17th century.

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Derek O'Reilly discusses the history of Hampstead with historian, Diane Burstein.

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Derek O'Reilly visits a quaint museum, a still life drama created by Dennis Servers of what life would have been like for a family of Huguenot silk weavers.

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Derek O'Reilly and Olivia Cox interview David Charnick about the history of Covent Garden.

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A dive into Thomas Carlyle's House, home to historian and philosopher Thomas Carlyle and his wife from 1834.

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Derek O'Reilly speaks with Lester Hillman, an historian based in London and a member of the Society and contributor to Camden History Review, about the history of Kings Cross.

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Derek O'Reilly visits Le Cordon Bleu, the legendary culinary school which invented Coronation Chicken for Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation. Based in Central London, with a heritage spanning 120 years.

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Discover London takes you on a tour of Leighton House. Home to legendary 19th century painter, Frederic Leighton, it is now an art museum in the heart of the historic neighbourhood of Kensington.

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Derek O'Reilly visits the Hyatt Regency and the bar inspired by Sir Winston Churchill.

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Derek O'Reilly visits Gothic revival, St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, which was also made famous around the world for being one of the locations for Harry Potter, as well as being a part of the Spice Girls music video for 'Wannabe'.

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John P. Lynch, Vice President of Wimbledon in Sporting History, tells us about the history of AFC Wimbledon. Trophies, the Crazy Gang and more!

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We take a look inside St. John, a Michelin star restaurant with a unique offering of Offal, Ox Tongue and even Whole Roast Pig's.

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Composer George Frideric Handel lived at 25 Brook Street until 1759. In 1968, Rockstar Jimi Hendrix moved in next door at 23 Brook Street. Michelle Aland, Director of Handel & Hendrix House tells us more.

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We visit the historic Savoy Hotel and interview the head butler. The Savoy was a popular spot for politicians, including Winston Churchill. During WWII, wealthy Londoners whose servants had left town or gone to war could stay there in comfort. The air raid shelters were deep and luxurious.

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Derek O'Reilly takes us on a visit of London Silver Vaults in Chancery Lane and learns about its history as well as various treasures it holds.

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Dating from 1837, in the heart of London’s elegant Mayfair, Brown’s Hotel is an iconic luxury hotel where history and 21st century sophistication come together. The retreat of choice for royalty, presidents and literary greats over the centuries, Brown’s Hotel is an enduringly distinguished destination in London.

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Derek O'Reilly and Olivia Cox visit The Wallace Collection, a permanent collection of paintings, sculptures, and decorations, which was established more than 125 years and gathering essential masterpieces for the British and European histories.

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Derek takes a tour of some of London’s world-famous Concert halls, Theatres and Schools. We get an intimate perspective of each venue and visit Cadogan Hall, Wigmore Hall, The Royal Court theatre, The Royal Academy of Art and drop in on some very famous galleries.

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The second of our podcasts on places of special interest in London presented by Derek O’ Reilly starts with a visit to the Isle of Dogs located in the borough of Tower Hamlets. We look at the docks from past, present and future. Uncover the history of St Pancras Station and drop in on a tailor in Saville Row. Just a sample what is included in this podcast.

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In this podcast our host Derek O’Reilly will visit seven places of special interest in London. Ranging from The London Silver Vaults which offers the largest retail selection of fine antique and contemporary silver in the world. To The Chelsea Physic Garden which has been located in Chelsea since 1670 and was first established by the Apothecaries for growing plants for medical research. It also boasts original stones from the Tower of London. Another five fascinating places are also uncovered in the podcast. 

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In this our final podcast on houses and museums our host Derek O’ Reilly visits eight of London’s finest, starting in Mayfair at the house where Handel and Jim Hendrix lived. Also the Freud Museum in Hampstead where Sigmund Freud lived with his family in the last years of his life. Six other gems will also be revealed.

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Derek starts this podcast with a trip to the National Portrait Gallery located just off Trafalgar Square. Then on to Mayfair to visit the Faraday Museum at the Royal Institute and along the way uncovers other great museums in London. Royal London Hospital Museum which displays a set of George Washington teeth and onto the London Film Museum which has a James Bond display.

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In this podcast we uncover five of London great houses and museums. We visit Kenwood & Burg House in Hampstead, the magical Denis Servers House located close to Liverpool Street, St Johns Museum in Clerkenwell and finish at the Grant Museum of Zoology.

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In this podcast we visit six of London’s landmark museums with unique histories. We start at The Wallace Collection which is a national museum displaying the art collections brought together by the first four marquesses of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace, the likely illegitimate son of the 4th Marquess. It was bequeathed to the British nation by Lady Wallace, Sir Richard's widow, in 1897. 

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In the second of our podcasts covering places of worship in London, Derek visits five more historic churches. Including a feature on Hampstead churches and St Luke’s in Chelsea where Charles Dickens got married. Also, The Actors Church in Covent Garden designed by Inigo Jones in 1631

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In this podcast our host Derek will visit six places of worship including Southwark Cathedral which has a history dating back to the seventh century. The diocese which it serves stretches from Kingston-upon-Thames in the west to Thamesmead in the east and Gatwick Airport in the south. It has a population of two-and-a-half million people, served by over 300 parishes.

Also visited will be Sandy's Row Synagogue which is a historic Grade II listed synagogue and former Christian church in the East End of London. Built by refugee French Huguenots in 1766, it was later converted into a Baptist chapel and in 1867 was acquired by a Jewish congregation. It is the oldest surviving Ashkenazi synagogue in London.

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The London Docklands have played a key part in the City’s growth and wealth. We discover the history of the docks and the incredible manpower that went into creating them. We also encounter ‘The Good Hotel’ an extraordinary converted barge that now provides it’s guests with a unique experience.

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Clerkenwell is former monastic settlement located between the City of London and Kings Cross. In this episode we visit the Museum of the order of St John whose history dates back to the 12th century. Explore Smithfield and uncover the world’s first flyover.

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Derek and Jamie Cartwright take a black taxi drivers tour of Historic London. Starting at Westminster and travelling to Tower Bridge.

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Derek visits the oldest cathedral in London. Explores one of the Capital’s oldest and most unusual museums and delves into Borough market. We tour the Golden Hinde, a full sized replica of the ship that Sir Frances Drake used to circumnavigate the globe. They reveal the tragic story behind a recently discovered cemetery.

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Derek and David talk about the crime of highway robbery in Victorian London. In their talk we find about the crimes of the highway man of Bethnal Green who was the final person executed at Tyburn in 1783.

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Poisoning is associated readily with Victorian Britain. Adulteration of foodstuffs to increase profit margins also brought a rise in accidental poisonings. There are, however, many cases of the misuse of poisons and other toxic substances.

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Derek explores the collections of paintings, porcelains, furniture and princely arms and armour that make up the Wallace Collection. We visit Wigmore Hall a leading international recital venue and feature an interview with the head concierge at the Hyatt hotel in their famous Churchill bar.

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Whilst Kensington and Chelsea are generally associated with shopping and their famous residents we look further into their hidden depths. We visit Chelsea Physic Garden and the cultural institutions of the Royal Court Theatre and Cadogan Hall. Derek even finds time for lesson in the art of flower arranging! 

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Derek is joined by Diane Burnstein to take a tour of Southwark. We start with a fascinating look at the early life of Charles Dickens living in the area and see the impact this had on his later writing.

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Derek and David Charnick meet to discuss the financial history of the City of London.

We discover origins of banking, insurance and take a look at the workings of Livery companies.

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In this podcast Derek & David Charnick delve into the commercial history of the City of London. They uncover fascinating facts and stories about the oldest and most historic part of London.

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Derek and David Charnick talk about The Gordon Riots – The most destructive riots in the history of London which took place in 1780 and resulted in over 300 deaths – But why ?

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Derek O'Reilly visits Hampstead an area that provides some real hidden gems such as the Freud Museum and Kenwood House. We explore the Heath and Golders Hill Park to learn how the area still maintains its village atmosphere today.

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Holborn and Bloomsbury have a history that dates back over 700 years. We visit 48 Doughty Street the home of Charles Dickens from 1837 to 1839. Derek visits the London Silver Vaults with Selina Kensit, the largest stockist of silver in the world. We discover the colourful history of the Foundling Museum (Britain’s first home for abandoned children) dating back over 250 years. Lastly to tempt your taste buds we visit Le Cordon Bleu one of the UK’s leading schools in culinary arts.

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Derek meets Vic Norman an expert on the historical pubs of London. They start their tour in the east of London and travel to Mayfair debating which is the oldest pub in London along the way.

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In this episode Derek and Vic take a walk along the river Thames and discuss the historical significance of pubs en route. They make interesting architectural observations and make some grim discoveries on their travels.

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Diane Burnstein discusses with Derek the Jewish communities arrival from the 17th century and their influence on London, paying particular attention to the east end.

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Discover the revolutionary Modernist homes and idealistic architecture built in Hampstead in the 1930s such as The Sun House by Maxwell Fry, and 66 Frognal by Connell Ward and Lucas. Much of the architecture echoed design trends in Europe and the walk includes passing housing by the émigré architects Ernst Freud and Erno Goldfinger. Elements of eighteenth-century design were also an influence for some architects.

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David and Derek explore shady characters in the late 1700’s around the east end, in particular the sentencing of The Reverend Benjamin Russen whose historical sex abuse case in 1777 established an important legal precedent. Back when public executions were a form of entertainment, we look at Tyburn and other such sites.

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Covent Garden is an area of London buzzing with excitement. We interview our local historian in The Royal Opera House, feature the Savoy Hotel, including an exclusive interview with the head butler, visit the home of Benjamin Franklin, and explore the wonders and history of the National Portrait gallery which first opened in 1856.

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We discover some of St Pancras’ history and why it is the only station in London that is raised above ground level. The area is also home to the renowned British library boasting over 150 million items from all over the world.

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The local library since 1922 but we discover why it was once given the nickname Barmy House. 

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We delve into the history of some of London's iconic stores including Harrods and Selfridges

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Diane and Derek delve into the rich heritage of London's supermarkets which goes back over 100 years.

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Derek and Jamie uncover some recognisable names and it may surprise you they were born in London.

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Also known as the Spitalfields Riots, discussing the bitter violence, rioting and intimidation that occurred from 1767 up to 1769 and the reasons why!

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East London is an under explored expanse of London with ethnic and social diversity. We visit the Victoria and Albert Museum of Childhood, Denise Severs’ House and The Royal London Hospital Archives. Along the way we refuel in the traditional East End manner by visiting a Pie and Mash shop.

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In this episode Derek discusses the judiciary crime and prisons in Victorian London with David Charnick

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Soho has developed from a hunting ground to an area of medical innovation to sex drugs and rock and roll. We enjoy a fascinating discussion between Derek and Jamie Cartwright

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Tales of espionage and intelligence reveal the extremes of human nature. They tell of bravery and treachery, and they show humanity at it's best and worst. Would you risk everything for what you believe is right? Could you betray your country and your friends for cash? 

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Derek discusses the area of Bloomsbury with Diane Burnstein with a special focus on the areas architecture and literary history.

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In this Episode Marylyn Greene talks about Charles Dickens association with Highgate and the Heath. Bill Sikes escaped up to North End via Highgate Hill when he had murdered Nancy in Oliver Twist. The area also features in David Copperfield and Barnaby Rudge.

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Derek And Oonagh discuss how London was at the centre of Suffragette protests just before the First World War. The capital was rocked by arson attempts, hunger strikes and massive demonstrations.

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The concept of diminished responsibility did not enter British criminal law until the passing of the Homicide Act of 1957

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With so much to pack in Derek is joined by Olivia Cox on a whistle stop journey around Mayfair.

Derek find's himself in London’s oldest hotel with a hint of modern luxury, he visits a church where an American president was married and takes us to the best places to buy art, clothes, books and even get a haircut by a barbers that’s over 120 years old.

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Derek sits down with Historian David Charnick to discuss a theory that suggests Jack the Ripper, the killer who terrorised women around London during the Victorian era, could actually have been a woman.

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Derek meets Historian and Tour Guide Jaime Cartwright to discuss film locations in London, from Harry Potter to James Bond and all the hidden gems and secret spaces in between.

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Considering the history of the City which is largely under our feet, Derek and historian Marilyn Greene will discuss the tube and post office tunnels, water conduits, hidden rivers, and archaeological remains from burials and buildings found in the City.

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Derek and Historian Oonah Gay delve into how these radical women influenced social reform in the east end of London and discuss the match girls strike.

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Derek and Historian Diane Burnstein treat you to historical vignettes and anecdotes about the West End’s most illustrious personalities. Find out about Central London’s oldest theatre and hear about its many ghosts, hear about the riots at the Royal Opera House and visit a haunted stage door where an actor was brutally murdered.

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Derek is joined by London Historian Vic Norman, together they tell us how London is full of interesting and quriky facts that will both fascinate and surprise!

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