Westminster’s Backstreets: Saints and Scoundrels

This walking tour explores historic Westminster and its lesser-known backstreets, revealing stories of heroic saints and scurrilous scoundrels. While Westminster is renowned for iconic landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, and for being the historic centre of royal and political power in London, there is another side to the area. Hidden behind the grand edifices of authority lies a labyrinth of backstreets rich with darker history, including criminal dens, prisons, slums, and plague pits. The tour uncovers the fascinating and often scandalous stories of Westminster’s residents, from acts of Blitz-era bravery to audacious burglaries and botched executions.

The walk begins by exploring a different perspective on Westminster’s famous sites before venturing into the beautifully preserved, lesser-known 18th-century backstreets. Participants will gain insight into both celebrated and notorious figures, learning how saints and scoundrels alike shaped the area’s history. The tour lasts approximately an hour and 45 minutes, starting behind the Millicent Fawcett Statue on Parliament Square and concluding at St James’s Park. For those unable to attend scheduled tours or preferring to explore independently, a self-guided option is available, with a downloadable Google map featuring over 300 hidden historic locations highlighted on the blog and Instagram. Additional resources, including blog posts and Instagram reels, provide further context, stories, and historical insights, offering a comprehensive exploration of Westminster’s hidden past.