Islington, Camden and Hackney boroughs have been my home for all of my adult life, and it is now my privilege and pleasure to guide in these local London neighbourhoods. I am particularly fascinated by how these ‘villages’ on the edges of the old City of London developed over the years. My walks explore both social history – the people who made their homes and worked here – and the influences of the underlying landscape of rivers, hills and old roads on the layout and architecture.
I am one of the Mayor of Islington’s qualified local guides, having successfully completed the Clerkenwell and Islington guiding course at the University of Westminster in 2019. I then qualified on a similar course to become one of the Mayor of Camden’s local guides in 2023.
I have been passionate about London history for many years, enjoyed many walks led by a variety of fantastic guides, collected a library of London books and attended several other history courses at the Bishopsgate Institute, City Lit and the Corporation of London. I am an active member of my guiding associations and also various local history groups such as London Historians, The Islington Society, Camden History Society and The Hackney Society. When planning walks, I can draw on the support of wonderful colleagues within the guiding community, for example in helping with larger groups, or suggesting experts for some highly specialised subject or location requests.
To be added to my mailing list, for occasional updates and details of upcoming walks, please email or message me.
Email: walk@lesleythompson.co.uk
Phone/text/WhatsApp: +44 7968 802471
’X’ (Twitter) @lesleywalks
Instagram lesley_walks
“I thoroughly enjoyed yesterday’s walk. It was so interesting for me to revisit some spots I’d been in past years, to see recent changes and dive into the medieval history. You brought it to life in an accessible, engaging way. Thanks!”
“Thanks so much for today’s excellent walk. I learned so much about an area where I worked for many years and thought I knew!”
“So inspired and interested by your tour yesterday. I look forward to the next! I have put out a message on my local What’s App group singing your praises, hope you get a few more punters from that!”