Introducing Herstorical Tours

• Not keen on the patriarchy?

• Have you got an unquenched thirst to learn more about the macabre/curious /secret/occult underbelly of London?

• Like comedy, drama, street theatre?  

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If you answered YES to these questions then congratulations!! You will probably like us and what we do. And yes, you're definitely our target market  -  so don't forget to click 'subscribe' on that mailing list link before you go ;-) Herstorical Tours aims to provide experiences that educate, entertain and enlighten. How's that for a bit of alliteration eh? Read on to find out more...

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Herstorical Tours  - The wider context:

 

Women's voices have routinely and systematically been silenced; and their stories erased, - throughout history. Women who 'spoke out' or behaved in any way considered outside of patriarchy's accepted norms were often deemed 'hysterical' and in need of 'correction'.  When women's stories were told, it was through the male gaze- hence 'history'. 'Herstorical Tours is a play on the word 'Herstory' and 'hysterical' and was set up with the aim of telling these stories, from women's perspectives. 

 

Herstorical Tours - The personal context:

 

Having worked as a freelance ghost tour guide in London for a while, I realised there wasn't really anything out there that offered to tell exclusively women's stories in a fun and dynamic way. The walking tour market was mainly led by men; and while some women-centred companies existed, -  they ran largely traditional walk and talks,- often on well-known aspects of London's history. It seemed to me that there were many more, unusual and perhaps, lesser-known stories to be told; and that these needed to be told in an engaging way. With my passion for history and performance, maybe, just maybe,   I could be the one to do that..? 

 

I didn't have long to doubt myself however as I was kick-started into writing my first tour -  Hex and The City  - the story of London's witches - after being unceremoniously fired from a job I loved (you can read all about my musings on that experience in my blog post here)  And, inspired by the rapturous reception Hex got, I realised there really was a hungry market for fun, theatrical women's history experiences. From there, more ideas sprang forth and Harlots & Strumpets & Tarts, Oh My! was launched in June 2022 -  recalling the experiences of the West End's 18th Century sex workers, followed by Jailbirds of Old London - my exploration of historical true crime through the eyes of women -in May 2023.  In February 2024, Votes for Women! Suffragettes of Bow Street and Beyond was launched in proud association with the Bow Street Police Museum, and in the summer of 2024 Sinners, Saints and Saviours will be launched, -  telling the stories of Southwark's women. 

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In two years we've grown from me peddling Hex and the City on my own to a team of two to a cast of 4 for Harlots -  and we're just starting! There are so many stories to tell, so many nooks and crannies of this city to explore, and so many curious details to delve into. So I better get writing! (cue Murder she Wrote theme tune...)

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If you like what you read then I look forward to welcoming you soon on a tour. Have a browse of our website, read our reviews, and don't hesitate to give us a shout if you have any questions that aren't answered here. Oh, and check out our social media too if you fancy it.

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Much love,

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Maria... x