The walking tour highlighting women’s history in London arrives in Islington for International Women’s Day.
A ‘Women’s Day Walk’ will be exploring the nooks and corners of Islington this Saturday, in celebration of the borough’s lesser-known women.
The occasion has been met with enthusiasm. “I’ve never had this amount of contact from a borough before,” said Mandy Morrow, who founded her walking tour business, Herstory, three years ago. Islington’s Junior Mayor, Jason Jackson, will be attending alongside several junior councilors.
While Herstory already covers well-known spots, from Marylebone to the City, this is Morrow’s first walking tour in Islington.
“I knew there was a lot of history there,” said Morrow. “It’s taken a while to put it together and I’m really pleased with the end result. It takes in the history of the area but also its beauty.”
The tour will take approximately two hours, starting at 2pm at Canonbury Overground station and ending in Angel, with the chance for participants to mingle and have a cup of tea.
Each Herstory tour highlights impressive stories from women who have left their mark on the city. Between canalside walks, Georgian houses, and high street strolls, Morrow will introduce walkers to local Islington legends, including Mary Wollstonecraft and Valda James.
“Most people are quite shocked that there’s so much to talk about with women,” said Morrow. “I think it’s a pretty good initiative [to get] young girls to realise that history has not just been about men. It’s about pride, knowing that your ancestors have achieved something.”
Morrow also offers tours on the city’s LGBTQ+ history and aims to highlight the stories of marginalised people whose struggles have been silenced throughout history.
For Saturday, prepare your best walking shoes, £11.55 for the admission fee, and, hopefully, a sun hat: “I’ve had people trailing after me when it’s been pouring with rain, it’s not nice but I hope it is sunny on Saturday!”
Highbury patch reporter, photographer, polyglot, student journalist specialising in political and social movement reporting.