In the latest series of my popular historygram posts, I turn my attention to an historical city that I truly love – LONDON!
I always visit London at least once a year (I know this doesn’t seem like much, but trust me when you live in the middle of Wales and it takes the best part of a day to travel to London – its enough!). Its a city full to the brim with history, and my London bucket list is always growing. I blame these brilliant Instagram accounts about London history!
Cemetery Club (@thecemeteryclub)
I first discovered Cemetery Club via Twitter. Being the taphophile that I am (google it, its not that bad) – I was immediately intrigued. I was glad to find them on Insta as well. Sheldon K. Goodman is a qualified City of Westminster guide whose passion is London’s historic cemeteries. He does an amazing job of resurrecting the stories of the long-forgotten people who lie in these overlooked places.
London Mudlark: Lara Maiklem (@london.mudlark)
One of the coolest hobbies out there imo, mudlarking – searching for rare objects by the side of a tidal river – is having a bit of a renaissance. Lara Maiklem is the queen of London mudlarking, and her Insta account documents what finds the Thames have given her that day. If you fancy learning more I recommend her book, which is called Mudlarking funnily enough.
Look Up London Walks & Tours (@look_uplondon)
If you fancy a walking tour of London, then look no further – Katie from Look Up London is your girl! She is an multi award-winning London history blogger and prize-winning Blue Badge Guide, who runs some incredible thematic tours in central London. Katie has recently diversified into virtual tours due to the pandemic, so you can now tour historic London from the comfort of your home.
Memoirs of a Metro Girl (@memoirsofametrogirl)
Memoirs Of A Metro Girl is a blog for residents and visitors to London, featuring what’s on guides, reviews, pop-ups, festivals, history and the odd travel piece. I like it because you can tell by the content that the writer is a native Londoner. Who else would be able to unearth all these hidden corners of the capital city and deliver us some true local London history?
The History Corner (@the.history.corner)
Another account that really captures the small details of historic London that are often overshadowed by the big, flashy historic attractions! Ghost signage, forgotten door bells and overlooked Victorian entrance hall mosaic hallways all make the cut in this delightful account. Proof that history is all around us – we just need to look hard enough.
Scarlett Roitman (@diaryofalondoness)
Scarlett aka The Londoness is a cultural blogger from the capital city. I fell in love with her blog as soon as I discovered it. It has turned into my go-to for the latest exhibition news. In a non-pandemic world Scarlett produces weekly blog posts rounding up the latest goings on and openings which are so useful. She has also helped me discover a few new historic attractions via her blog posts.
Another walking tour company, Women of London deliver professionally led women’s history walking tours of London. In a city full of history, its great to have such a company dedicated to shining a light on its historic female inhabitants. I first really noticed this account because of the great video content they were producing during lockdown. Check it out!
A relatively new Instagram account, A London Past is a showcase for black and white photographs from London’s past. Its amazing to see how the city has changed over the years (or not changed in some cases). Along with the written detail, this account shines a unique spotlight into London’s past and is a must follow for any London history lover!
This account by London-based history and heritage lover Skye is BEAUTIFUL. Okay, so I admit this account is not 100% London or 100% history – but the quality of the content helps you to overlook that fact. Skye certainly has an eye for both historic architecture and photography, and I could easily live in any of the beautiful London buildings she chooses to photograph!
So that was my personal pick of my fave Instagram accounts for London history. Are there any you would add to the list?
Please note that, unless otherwise stated, all images belong to their respective owners.