Iya London

IYA London Walks

Iya London unearths and shares London’s overlooked stories, past and present, through guided walks, talks and research. 

Iya London brings the joy of learning about London, while walking together in its streets, to new audiences.

upcoming schedule

Hammersmith radicals - a walk

Distance – 3.2 km/2 miles – 1½ hours

Exploring Hammersmith Riverside’s artistic and activist past, this walk covers a beautiful stretch of the Thames.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the riverside was home to many radicals who challenged the exploitation of the working classes and women through art, design and socialism.

You’ll see sites where William Morris and other creative men and women associated with the Arts and Crafts Movement lived and worked. You’ll hear about the birth of the private press movement.

5 September

18 October

22 November

A Walk Exploring White City's Hidden History

Distance – 2.9km/1.8 miles – 2 hours

Learn how Imre Kiralfy, a Hungarian impresario, created a 140-acre pleasure ground for exhibitions, entertainment and the 1908 Olympics. Its name was the Great White City.

We’ll also explore the UK’s first public Japanese garden, the memorial to the Olympics and visit Television Centre with its iconic architecture.

6 September

Old Oak to White City: a history of 20th century public housing

Distance – 3.6 km/2.9 miles – 2¼ hours

Telling the story of public housing in London in the 20th century, this walk explores an extraordinary range of homes from cottage estates influenced by the garden city movement, to Peabody flats channelling Hampton Court, to a hexagonal modernist block inspired by the Giants’ Causeway.

27 September

Monarchy and Empire in South Kensington - a walk

Distance – 1.6km/1 mile – 1½ hours

Discover how Prince Albert instigated the development of London’s first district dedicated to arts and science.

Exploring the area’s architecture, you’ll decode the symbols which asserted the dominance of Western ideas and technology, as well as the power of monarchy and empire.

You’ll also hear about a dramatic act of anti-imperial resistance that took place in the heart of South Kensington.

10 October

War and Renewal on the Askew Road: a walk in Shepherd's Bush

Distance – 1.6km/1 mile – 1½ hours

This walk explores the impact of two world wars on Askew Village in Shepherd’s Bush.

You’ll see the remarkable interior of St. Bobola, a Polish church containing stained glass and other memorials to the Polish armed forces who fought alongside the Allies during World War II. 

You’ll also see Greenside School, one of only two primary schools in the UK designed by the famous modernist architect Erno Goldfinger.

11 October

People Power - a walk in North Kensington and Notting Hill

Distance – 3.2 km/2 miles – 1¾ hours

This walk explores campaigns led by the people of North Kensington and Notting Hill to improve housing, secure public spaces and confront racism.
 
You’ll hear the stories behind a community garden sprouted from a tyre dump; one of the first purpose-built working men’s clubs; a private square transformed into a play space; and an arts centre that was once an abandoned church. 
 

17 October

21 November

Reviews

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Libby Trace profile picture
Libby Trace
25/07/2026
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I have been on two of these walks and they were both excellent. Informative, relaxed and thoroughly enjoyable. I can highly recommend them.
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Libby Trace profile picture
Libby Trace
25/07/2026
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I have been in two of these walks and they were both excellent. Enjoyable and informative. I can highly recommend them.
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Claudia Swaby profile picture
Claudia Swaby
06/07/2026
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I thoroughly enjoyed this walk. I found it very interesting and informative. We passed two former homes of radicals. Joanna is a fount of knowledge and seems able to answer any question put to her. It was conducted at a relaxed, comfortable pace, which would be suitable for all ages and a range of abilities. The walk ended at Riverside studios, where there happened to be a music festival taking place on that day.
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Patricia Plummer profile picture
Patricia Plummer
06/07/2026
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Really enjoyed the walk with Joanne. Showed some lovely little gems here in Hammersmith.
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Marie Shinn profile picture
Marie Shinn
29/06/2026
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This was my second tour with Jo from Iya London. Very interesting with lots of information and historical photos too. Plus we were free to ask as many questions as we wanted. The tour wasn't too long or too short. Just another time. Wish I had time after to visit the pub with a few of the other customers and Jo! I'll be booking another tour soon. Thanks Jo
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Bridget Robson profile picture
Bridget Robson
29/06/2026
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We were a party of 5 and thoroughly enjoyed the Hammersmith Radicals Walk, led by Joanna. She is very knowledgeable and made the walk both interesting and fun. Can highly recommend this walk. Bridget Robson.
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Linda Millard profile picture
Linda Millard
17/05/2026
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Joanna has a really friendly, relaxed presentation style, making it easy to chat along, and ask questions. Her local knowledge is amazing, and her walks are definitely worth doing. Would highly recommend
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James W profile picture
James W
17/05/2026
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Joanna was a great guide for what was a very interesting walk. I would certainly recommend to others and go on other walks led by her
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Luísa Pires profile picture
Luísa Pires
17/05/2026
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Fantastic walk and exceptionally informative I had a wonderful time learning about the history of the estates and the links there were to regulation and social, economic and political contexts. You can almost "travel through time" in this walk and understand the origins of social housing as well as multiple aspects that influenced these developments.
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Alisa Lebow profile picture
Alisa Lebow
26/04/2026
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Fantastic tour. Joanna is so knowledgeable and keeps it interesting throughout. This is the second tour of hers I’ve been on and it won’t be the last! I would highly recommend!

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