Jailbird June and Herstorical Tours on Tour...

Herstorical Tours
23 minutes ago
4 min read

Here comes June - officially summer isn’t it? Well it’s the month of the solstice, so in my book, summer is ‘ere, and that’s that! What’s on this month? Well firstly, excitingly, I’m getting a shout out in the Londonist tomorrow. If you don’t already subscribe or follow them, do so - not just to see me (!) (good enough reason though to be fair) but because they will keep you updated on all the latest fun things to do in London.

What’s ON in June

Last month…

It was a bit of an odd month wasn’t it? Or is that just me?? We had glorious spring weather at the start of the month- my Beltane project at the Chelsea Physic Garden was blessed with beautiful sunshine, - as were my private tours (a hen party, a witchy gathering, and 2 suffragette tours) and then suddenly it was back to freezing winds and rain, hailstorms - the lot. I found myself donning my winter coat mid way through May, only to be sweating to death at the end of it when we had that mini heatwave. Good ol’ British weather.

Apparently in old folklore, this is a common phenomenon linked to the ‘Ice Saints’ feasts days in mid May - which correspond to a last cold snap before summer. Unfortunately the return of the Ice Saints meant that (and I am assuming this is why!) tour sales were low and I even had to cancel Hex and the City 😳 which I think is one of only a handful of times I’ve had to do cancel it in 5 years. Oh well.

Even with tiny numbers on tours this May, they’ve been great fun and I’ve met lots of amazing new friends as I always do. Pics below…

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L-R This month’s Votes for Women tour! Me as the Ice Saint summoning in the cold snap (not really) and the Beltane ritual in the Cheslea Physic Garden

JUNE!!!!

This month the biggest news is that I’m relaunching Jailbirds of Old London for one night only on 18th June. Jailbirds hasn’t run to the public for more than a year and I feel that true crime is once more on the agenda! so she’s back - better than ever! And if she does well, she might become a monthly thing who knows!

What’s Jail birds all about then?

Full description of the tour is here but in essence, this is a true crime adventure that spans the City of London, the river and the West End from the late Georgian period to the 1920’s. Your guide is a Victorian lady in mourning, Miss Adeline Venture (Miss- Ad-Venture for short!) who will lead you on a darkly feminist examination of 4 real crime cases: a forgerer, a poisoner and two killers.

The cases are vastly different and so are the outcomes and punishments. Each case will be dramatically re-told using historical re-enactment of crime, trial and execution, so this is not for the faint-hearted. Herstorical Tours is not the London Dungeons though. It’s not gruesome, over the top ham-acting, creepy effects or jump scares.

The stories are told from the perspective of the women that committed them, and we will analyse their motivations and their treatment in the criminal justice system with respect and balance. It’s always interesting to compare history to today, so we will examine how much has changed in our modern world. Do we have a gender-balanced justice system now in Britain? and If not, why not?

We finish the tour outside a pub on the Strand so there’s always the option to pop in for a pint afterwards. If this all sounds intriguing - book now HERE.

Woman walking to the gallows, 19th century illustration

Conjure spirits along the river, and celebrate the Solstice in style…

Magic Mystics and Martyrs, our magical, mystical journey along the Thames exploring occult activity, disreputable market women and heretical behaviour returns in June as well.

On the 27th, join us as we venture from Bank to Tower Hill, bringing some truly dark stories to life on this (hopefully balmy) summer evening. Book here.

Remember that Harlots, Strumpets and Tarts Oh My! and Votes for Women! Suffragettes at Bow Street and Beyond! are run in collaboration with partner museums and you get free entry with your ticket. Bargain!

Also don’t miss Southwark Hysteries Solstice Special on the 21st. What better way to celebrate the longest day of the year than in an ancient Roman settlement, invoking the Goddess Isis on the site of her actual temple? Think how jealous your friends will be!!!! (For refereence - here’s a photo of me in action, invoking the Goddess with a phallic offering:)

All other public tours for June and the rest of the summer are now available to book here.

Herstorical Tours on tour

Well, not officially. But I am taking a holiday. I’m off to York and Whitby in a week to soak up the gothic history. I’ve never been to York, so recommendations are always welcome of what to see and do for the gothic, macabre feminist wanderer. I’m hoping for lots of great nature hikes, swims, great food and tons of weird and wonderful historical and herstorical facts. I’ll be reporting back. Watch this space.

I’ll publish this month’s HERSTORY later in the month when I’m back.

And I’ll leave you with this thought: