Join us on a guided walking tour to explore the streets of Covent Garden and uncover the history of crime and justice on Bow Street. Tap the tabs below to discover more about the tours on offer.
VOTES FOR WOMEN: Suffragettes at Bow Street and Beyond
In proud association with Bow Street Museum of Crime and Justice, allow Herstorical Tours to transport you back to Edwardian London, and retrace the footsteps (quite literally!) of these incredible women as they marched, preached, fought, smashed, burned, and bombed their way to getting women the vote.
From Westminster to Covent Garden, revisit the locations where the suffragettes held protests, rallies, and staged some more *ahem* ‘creative’ stunts. See also where they were arrested and tried.
On this tour, you will see theatrical re-tellings of the stories of…
- Human smuggling involving a Music Hall star…
- Vandalism in the National Gallery…
- A disabled, working-class suffragette of the East End…
- A refugee singer and actress who became an arsonist…
- An Indian Princess who joined the cause…
…and many more!
Herstorical tours are guided walking tours with a difference. Created and led by Maria, a performer, and storyteller, the tours focus on women’s stories in London’s history and bring those stories to life using acting, comedy, and fun! With a special focus on the dark and curious underbelly of London’s past along with the ‘forgotten’ women, exploring the hidden nooks and crannies of the city whilst introducing you to the characters that created ‘herstory’ there. Herstorical tours aim to educate on sensitive historical subjects with the right balance of respect and entertainment.
Duration: approximately 120 minutes.
Dates: Saturday 19th April , Sunday 18th May, Sunday 22nd June
Times: 10.30
Price: £20.00 / £16.00 Friends/ 2-4-1 Art Fund entry
Of Mollies and Men – A Queer History of Bow Street and Beyond
From the Molly Houses of the 18th century, to the arrest and trial of Oscar Wilde, to the laws protecting LGBTQ+ people today, explore the rich history of Covent Garden with this Bow Street Museum of Crime and Justice Walking Tour. Discover how law and order governed the lives of queer identifying people throughout history and hear the stories of the people who dared to be themselves.
Duration: Approximately 90 minutes.
Dates: Saturday 26th April, Saturday 7th June, Sunday 29th June
Times: 11.00
Price: £16.50 / £15 Concession / £13.20 Friends of Bow Street Museum/ 2-4-1 Art Fund entry
Reform, Rebel, RIOT! – Civil Disobedience in Covent Garden
Bow Street has seen all sorts of protestors pass through its cells and courts, from xenophobic footmen of the 18th century descending on the magistrate’s house en masse, discontented theatre-goers drowning out performances every night for weeks and window-smashing suffragettes demanding votes for women.
But when does a protestor become a rioter? When does a crowd become a mob? And how does law enforcement know where to draw the line?
Follow in the footsteps of these historical events, as we explore the causes of the disaffected, how law enforcement reacted and ask, crucially, did they make any difference?
Duration: approximately 75 minutes.
Dates: Sunday 25th May
Times: 11.00
Price: £16.50 / £15 Concession / £13.20 Friends of Bow Street Museum/ 2-4-1 Art Fund entry
Stages and Cells: Crime and Theatre in Covent Garden
In collaboration with The Royal Ballet and Opera
Join our walking tour through the historic streets of Covent Garden and uncover the stories of crime and theatre that made the area what it is today.
In the 17th century, Bow Street was a quiet, residential area for the well-to-do. However, the arrival of the theatres ushered in a new era of bustling crowds, pickpockets, highwaymen, murderers, sex workers, gin palaces and unbridled decadence, leading to the necessity of London’s first police force – the notorious Bow Street Runners.
Some of the stories you’ll discover on this tour include the tale of the infamous Charles Macklin, who used his acting skills to literally get away with murder, and the bizarre instance when Bow Street Police Officers tried to blend in with the chorus on the Royal Opera House stage to foil a diamond heist.
Hear these stories and more on this co-production tour between Bow Street Museum of Crime and Justice and the Royal Ballet and Opera.
Duration: Approximately 75 minutes
Dates: Friday 25th April, Sunday 11th May, Friday 16th May
Times: 11.00
Price: £16.50 / £15 Concession / £13.20 Friends of Bow Street Museum/ 2-4-1 Art Fund entry
Walking Tour FAQs
This tour is an outside walking tour. Light rain or a moderate breeze will not cancel the tour. In the events of extreme or adverse weather the Museum will contact all ticket holders and let them know of any cancellations. In these circumstances all ticket holders will be offered alternative dates to transfer their tickets to.
We recommend visitors of 18 years or over to attend any of our tour. If you would like to book a ticket for anyone aged 16 – 17 years, you must contact the Museum in advance [email protected]. Babies or children in buggies are welcome at no additional cost.
This ticket does include entry to Bow Street Museum of Crime and Justice, valid on the same day as your tour. There is no need to pre-book, after your tour speak to your tour guide or the Museum team on the front desk.
Yes! All our walking tours are available to book as private tour, subject to dates and availability. Perfect for university groups, corporate activities, or interest groups and societies. To make an inquiry please email the team [email protected]
The team at Bow Street Museum of Crime and Justice are committed to making this event as accessible as possible. Transcripts of the tour are available for guests who are deaf or hard of hearing. For those with mobility needs, the guide can adapt the tour route if notified in advance. If you have any other additional needs, please contact the Museum directly at [email protected] to ensure we can accommodate you on your tour.
Please Note
- There will be no access to public toilets once the tour begins.
- There is no seating available along the tour route.
- The tour follows a set route around the Covent Garden area along public pavements, via road crossings and through some pedestrianised spaces.
- We aim to avoid steps and large curbs, however due to the ever-changing nature of London’s streets we cannot guarantee that the route will always remain entirely step-free.